“This website is my sub plans.” ~ a teacher describing Byrdseed.TV

Arizona ELA Standard: 4.W.2.a

Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

Chaos Can Be Positive or Negative
Chaos Can Be Positive or Negative
Sometimes we want order, but sometimes we need chaos!
Gr 1-8
Introducing Order and Chaos
Introducing Order and Chaos
Introduce Order by exploring “written” vs “unwritten” rules.
Gr 1-8
Create A Civ: Capital City
Create A Civ: Capital City
Every great capital is part geography, part human design. Research real ones, then build your own from scratch.
Gr 1-8
Categorize and Re-Categorize Countries
Categorize and Re-Categorize Countries
Put these countries into groups. Then do it again. Then… do it one more time. How does re-re-grouping the same places reveal new patterns and give new insights?
Gr 1-8
Categorize and Re-Categorize Animals
Categorize and Re-Categorize Animals
Put these animals into groups. Then do it again. Then… do it one more time. How does re-re-grouping the same creatures reveal new patterns and give new insights?
Gr 1-8
Famous Structures
Famous Structures
The Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House — group them, pick the best from each group, then design your own.
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain!? Gold vs Wood
What’s In My Brain!? Gold vs Wood
Some of these examples are conductors and some are insulators!
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain!? Walnut vs Clouds
What’s In My Brain!? Walnut vs Clouds
Let’s look at living vs non-living things.
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
Introducing Universal Theme of Change
Introducing Universal Theme of Change
Everything changes. But how does it change? Students brainstorm dozens of examples and boil them down to one big idea.
Gr 1-8
Create A Civilization: Design A Flag
Create A Civilization: Design A Flag
What makes for a good flag? What makes a bad flag?
Gr 1-8
Concept Attainment: Art
Concept Attainment: Art
Can your students tell the difference between cubism and abstract art?
Gr 1-8
Analyze Paragraphs: Baseball
Analyze Paragraphs: Baseball
Three paragraphs about baseball. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Gr 1-8
Analyze Paragraphs: Cucumbers
Analyze Paragraphs: Cucumbers
Three paragraphs about cucumbers. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Gr 1-8
Art Lesson: Two-Point Perspective
Art Lesson: Two-Point Perspective
Let’s get students’ art really popping with two-point perspective!
Gr 1-8
Generalization: Change Leads to More Change
Generalization: Change Leads to More Change
Can you think of a time in your life when “Change lead to more change?”
Gr 2-8
Generalization: Systems Are Made up of Other Systems
Generalization: Systems Are Made up of Other Systems
A clock is a system. So is a rainforest. So is your school. Once you see systems inside systems, you can’t unsee it.
Gr 1-8
Paragraphs: Systems of Sentences
Paragraphs: Systems of Sentences
Blow up a paragraph into individual sentences. Now reassemble it. The clues hiding in each sentence will surprise you.
Gr 1-8
Writing Sample: Moby Dick
Writing Sample: Moby Dick
A passage from Moby Dick to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Gr 1-8
Simple or Compound Sentences – What’s In My Brain?
Simple or Compound Sentences – What’s In My Brain?
Can your students spot simple sentences vs compound sentences?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 5, 7
Welcome, Students!
Welcome, Students!
A video to welcome students to Byrdseed.TV.
Gr 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Student Introductions With Depth and Frames
Student Introductions With Depth and Frames
Want to introduce the tools of Depth and Complexity and learn more about your students and introduce the Frame graphic organizer? Have I got the activity for you!
Gr 1-8
The Thinking Hats
The Thinking Hats
So… do your students moan when forced to work in a group? Part of the problem is that lack the structure to work well with peers. Edward de Bono’s Thinking Hats are a perfect tool to help with this problem.
Gr 1-8
Improving Presentations 3: The Storyboard and Slides
Improving Presentations 3: The Storyboard and Slides
It’s time to turn that outline into a storyboard and then some actual slides.
Gr 1-8
Improving Presentations 2: Planning The Outline
Improving Presentations 2: Planning The Outline
After watching some great presenters, let’s outline your presentation!
Gr 2-8
Depth and Complexity: 🏛️ Big Idea
Depth and Complexity: 🏛️ Big Idea
Let’s get students thinking big and focusing on more abstract ideas.
Gr 1-8
Create A Civilization Introduction
Create A Civilization Introduction
Your students build a civilization from scratch — rivers, flags, calendars, currency, government. Social studies, science, and writing woven into one year-long project.
Gr 1-8
Intellectual Intensity
Intellectual Intensity
Do you know someone who becomes a bit overexcited by ideas?
Gr 3-8
Engineering: Build A Bridge
Engineering: Build A Bridge
Using real bridges as their starting point, students will construct bridges out of straws and paperclips.
Gr 1-8
Better Stories Part 1: The Big Idea
Better Stories Part 1: The Big Idea
We open our unit on narrative writing with a big idea: “structure increases creativity.” I show how this is true by bringing in examples from across all disciplines.
Gr 1-8