“Everything is so linear, but this makes me think diagonally!” ~ a student describing Byrdseed.TV

Arizona ELA Standard: 5.W.1.b

Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.

Order and Chaos Hide Inside Each Other
Order and Chaos Hide Inside Each Other
Chaos can contain order. Order can contain chaos! Is chaos ever truly random?
Gr 3-8
That Quote’s Not Quite Right: Albert Einstein
That Quote’s Not Quite Right: Albert Einstein
When I see a quote, I often think, “That’s not quite right!”
Gr 1-8
Holiday Shuffle – Day vs Date
Holiday Shuffle – Day vs Date
Wouldn’t some holidays be better on a certain day of the week? Should Thanksgiving have a set date?
Gr 1-8
Tournament of Not-So-Famous Inventors
Tournament of Not-So-Famous Inventors
Which inventor and invention will win the tournament?
Gr 1-8
Domesticated Animals Tournament
Domesticated Animals Tournament
Which domesticated animal will win the tournament?
Gr 1-8
Types of Energy Tournament
Types of Energy Tournament
Which type of energy will win the tournament!?
Gr 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Natural Disasters Tournament
Natural Disasters Tournament
Earthquake vs. hurricane. Tsunami vs. wildfire. Students set the criteria, argue their case, and crown a champion. Warning: it gets heated.
Gr 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 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
Charge of the Light Brigade – Chess Variant
Charge of the Light Brigade – Chess Variant
What if one side played with THREE QUEENS and the other had SEVEN KNIGHTS!? What if?
Gr 2-8
Tournament: 8 Wonders of the Solar System
Tournament: 8 Wonders of the Solar System
Which location is the most wondrous place in the solar system?
Gr 1-8
The 8th Wonder of the World Tournament
The 8th Wonder of the World Tournament
Which of these eight wonders deserves to become the Eighth Wonder of the World!?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Exploration Technology Tournament
Exploration Technology Tournament
Which of these pieces of exploration technology is most important? Most underrated? Most long-lasting?
Gr 1-8
Precipitation Tournament
Precipitation Tournament
Eight types of precipitation battle it out in this tournament.
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: US States
Not Like The Others: US States
How is each of these states not like the others?
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: Branches of the US Government
Not Like The Others: Branches of the US Government
How is each part of the United States Government not like the other parts?
Gr 1-8
Tournament of Presidents
Tournament of Presidents
So who was the strangest of these eight presidents?
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: States of Matter
Not Like The Others: States of Matter
How is each of the states of matter not like the others?
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: Countries
Not Like The Others: Countries
How is each of these four countries not like the others?
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
Propaganda and Logical Fallacies
Propaganda and Logical Fallacies
Let’s see how propaganda techniques can make even something great seem bad.
Gr 1-8