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A Lunar Survival Mission
A Lunar Survival Mission
A favorite of mine! This task is delightfully complex and ambiguous, forcing students to make choices without enough information and with no right answer. How will they survive on the moon for three days?
Gr 2-8
Create A Creature
Create A Creature
Create a new creature based on the adaptations of existing creatures from the same biome.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Planets
Not Like The Others: Planets
Which of these planets is not like others? Well, it sure looks simple at first. But each option could be the one that doesn’t fit in.
Gr 2-8
Notice Wonder: Blood Falls
Notice Wonder: Blood Falls
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
An Under-Appreciated Planet
An Under-Appreciated Planet
Students write from the point of view of the most under-appreciated planet.
Gr 2-8
Notice Wonder: Turbine
Notice Wonder: Turbine
Your students will be surprised by the size of this turbine… and by what’s hanging from it!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Crocodile vs Tree Frog
What’s In My Brain: Crocodile vs Tree Frog
Is it a reptile or an amphibian?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Bloom
Notice, Wonder: Bloom
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Flowers
Not Like The Others: Flowers
Four flowers. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Kuiseb
Notice, Wonder: Kuiseb
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Burton Island
Notice, Wonder: Burton Island
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
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 2-8
Not Like The Others: Natural Disasters
Not Like The Others: Natural Disasters
Four natural disasters. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Forest
Notice, Wonder: Forest
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Types of Diseases
Not Like The Others: Types of Diseases
Four diseases. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Birds of the Tropical Rainforest
Not Like The Others: Birds of the Tropical Rainforest
Which of these four birds is not like the others?
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Cephalopods
Not Like The Others: Cephalopods
Four cephalopods. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Stars
Not Like The Others: Stars
How is each of these stars not like the others?
Gr 2-8
The Pros and Cons of Producers and Consumers
The Pros and Cons of Producers and Consumers
Sure, students might know the difference between a producer and a consumer… but have they considered how they feel about each other? What, in a producer’s opinion, are the pros and cons of a consumer?
Gr 2-8
Precipitation Tournament
Precipitation Tournament
Eight types of precipitation battle it out in this tournament.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Ants of the World!
Not Like The Others: Ants of the World!
Four ants from around the world. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Deserts
Not Like The Others: Deserts
Which of these deserts is not like the others?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: A River
Notice, Wonder: A River
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Michael
Notice, Wonder: Michael
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
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 2-8
Not Like The Others: Rivers
Not Like The Others: Rivers
Four rivers. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Barringer
Notice, Wonder: Barringer
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Rainforests
Not Like The Others: Rainforests
Which of these rainforests is not like the others?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Vortices
Notice, Wonder: Vortices
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Concept Attainment: Hornet vs Tiger
Concept Attainment: Hornet vs Tiger
Can your class spot the vertebrates vs invertebrates?
Gr 2-8
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 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Silver Torch
Notice, Wonder: Silver Torch
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Witch’s Fingers
Notice, Wonder: Witch’s Fingers
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Creatures of the Tundra
Not Like The Others: Creatures of the Tundra
Four tundra creatures. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Paperclip vs Straw
What’s In My Brain: Paperclip vs Straw
We’re looking at magnetic vs. non-magnetic materials.
Gr 2-8
Two Animals Switch Biomes
Two Animals Switch Biomes
What if a capybara and a kangaroo rat switched homes? Would their adaptations be helpful at all?
Gr 1-8
Notice, Wonder: Green Circles
Notice, Wonder: Green Circles
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Critter
Notice, Wonder: Critter
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Inventions vs Discovery
What’s In My Brain: Inventions vs Discovery
We’re looking at inventions vs discoveries.
Gr 2-8
A System Similar to a Cell
A System Similar to a Cell
Which parts of a cell serve a similar job to the parts of a cruise ship, human body, computer, or other system?
Gr 1-8
Notice, Wonder: Plateau
Notice, Wonder: Plateau
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
The Personalities of Rocks
The Personalities of Rocks
What would an igneous rock be like? Would it get along with a sedimentary rock? Could they handle the hot personality of a metamorphic rock?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Tenzing
Notice, Wonder: Tenzing
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Plant Adaptation Tournament
Plant Adaptation Tournament
Who will win in a tournament of eight plants with Interesting adaptations!?
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Snakes of the Rainforest
Not Like The Others: Snakes of the Rainforest
Four rainforest snakes. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Guinea Pig vs Potbelly
What’s In My Brain: Guinea Pig vs Potbelly
What do guinea pigs, shooting stars, and seahorses have in common? They’re all misnomers!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: US National Parks
Not Like The Others: US National Parks
Four US national parks. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Owl vs Eagle
What’s In My Brain: Owl vs Eagle
Some of these animals are nocturnal and some are diurnal.
Gr 2-8
Creating A Realistic Flower and Pollinator
Creating A Realistic Flower and Pollinator
Your students will create a new flower, designed to attract a specific pollinator.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Sombrero
Notice, Wonder: Sombrero
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Grass vs Mold
What’s In My Brain: Grass vs Mold
Two columns. One is an example, one isn’t. Can you figure out the hidden rule before the big reveal?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Butterball
Notice, Wonder: Butterball
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Habitable Planets and Moons Tournament
Habitable Planets and Moons Tournament
Which object in the solar system is most habitable?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Climber
Notice, Wonder: Climber
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
How Renewable Is That Resource?
How Renewable Is That Resource?
Which resource is more renewable? And which is easier to find?
Gr 2-8
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 2-8
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 2-8
Notice, Wonder: The Cliff
Notice, Wonder: The Cliff
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Coral vs Water Lilies
What’s In My Brain: Coral vs Water Lilies
Let’s look at saltwater vs freshwater organisms.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Rosetta
Notice, Wonder: Rosetta
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Types of Energy Tournament
Types of Energy Tournament
Which type of energy will win the tournament!?
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Narwhal vs Penguin
What’s In My Brain: Narwhal vs Penguin
We’re looking at the arctic vs the antarctic.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Fountain
Notice, Wonder: Fountain
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Swirls
Notice, Wonder: Swirls
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: An Orange Thing
Notice, Wonder: An Orange Thing
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Create A Civilization: The River
Create A Civilization: The River
The Nile, the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Seine, the Thames, and now… your river!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Scales
Notice, Wonder: Scales
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Types of Volcanoes
Not Like The Others: Types of Volcanoes
Which of these types of volcanoes is not like the others?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Etna
Notice, Wonder: Etna
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Microorganisms
Not Like The Others: Microorganisms
Four microorganisms. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Tree vs Tree
What’s In My Brain: Tree vs Tree
Let’s look at deciduous vs coniferous trees.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Penguins
Not Like The Others: Penguins
Four penguins. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Ball vs Book
What’s In My Brain: Ball vs Book
Let’s look at Kinetic vs Potential Energy!
Gr 2-8
Animal Adaptation Tournament
Animal Adaptation Tournament
Which animal has the most interesting, most valuable, or strangest adaptations?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Krzywy Las
Notice, Wonder: Krzywy Las
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Skylight
Notice, Wonder: Skylight
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice Wonder: Z-Machine
Notice Wonder: Z-Machine
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain!? Japan vs Jamaica
What’s In My Brain!? Japan vs Jamaica
Is it an island or an archipelago?
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Types of Rocks
Not Like The Others: Types of Rocks
Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic — and one that doesn’t fit. But which one? Depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Ramp vs Bike
What’s In My Brain: Ramp vs Bike
Two columns. One is an example, one isn’t. Can you figure out the hidden rule before the big reveal?
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Birds of the Desert
Not Like The Others: Birds of the Desert
Four desert birds. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Lion vs Bear
What’s In My Brain: Lion vs Bear
We’re looking at carnivores vs omnivores.
Gr 2-8
Tournament of Not-So-Famous Inventors
Tournament of Not-So-Famous Inventors
Which inventor and invention will win the tournament?
Gr 2-8
The Tournament of Biomes
The Tournament of Biomes
Want to move beyond memorizing the characteristics of biomes? In this lesson, students work through a Tournament of Biomes, explaining which biome wins in each round (based on criteria you choose). In the end, they crown a 👑 Champion Biome!
Gr 2-8
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
Notice, Wonder: Akron
Notice, Wonder: Akron
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: SLS Test
Notice, Wonder: SLS Test
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: A House
Notice, Wonder: A House
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Earth’s Layers: Who Contributes The Most?
Earth’s Layers: Who Contributes The Most?
Earth’s layers will disagree about which one contributes the most to the planet’s success.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Craters
Notice, Wonder: Craters
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice Wonder: Electronics
Notice Wonder: Electronics
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8