Idea Sheets
Idea Sheets are hands-on experience guides linked to core curriculum topics.
Every Idea Sheet is cross-referenced to one or more of the curriculum subjects listed in the Content Standards. Use this Idea Sheets Search Tool to rapidly pinpoint activities that are perfectly suited to the grade level, subject area, and content standard you want to cover.
Idea Sheets are based on readily-available, low-cost materials such as cardboard tubes, bottle caps, old CD's, etc.
You can also Search Idea Sheets by Standards or Keywords.
1000 Wins
Adding 3-digit numbers gets easier with this easy-to-learn and fun-to-play card game.
Subjects: Math
2-Tubaphones
Make an instrument with an adjustable pitch to explore the science of sound waves and the art of music!
Subjects: Physical Science
31
This card game helps students learn to add numbers in their heads. The objective of the game is to get as close to 31 with any number of cards, without going over 31.
Subjects: Math
3D Topo Views
This modeling activity can be used to teach topographic map-reading skills. Students draw a fictitious topographic map, and then transfer the map to stacking lids, producing a great 3-dimensional effect.
Subjects: Earth/Space Science
3D Tree
A bit of cutting and stapling will produce wonderful, little trees that stand up on their own. Decorate the tree for a great winter holiday project, or create several trees of various sizes to make a tabletop scene.
Subjects: Life Science, Art
9 Digits in a 3x3 Matrix
Students explore addition problems with two 3 digit numbers and discover patterns that help find solutions and double check arithmetic answers.
Subjects: Math
Abacus Primer
The abacus is an ancient tool for doing calculations. This activity uses a simplified abacus to teach place value. Each bead represents 1 in the given place, and students can use it to get a visual understanding that 10 beads in a given place (1s, 10s, 100s) can be represented by a single bead in the place to its left (10s, 100s, 1000s).
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Abacus Variations
This easily created version of an abacus can teach place value and show how different cultures calculate. Abaci can even be based on math systems other than base 10!
Subjects: Math
Above & Below Zero Game!
Add positive and negative numbers on a vertical number line.
Subjects: Math
Absolutely Valuable Game!
In this fast-paced game of addition, students discover that the "absolute value" of a number is simply its distance from zero on a number line.
Subjects: Math
Absorbing the Rays
Using UV beads as detectors, the ability of sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV radiation from the Sun is tested.
Subjects: Physical Science, Earth/Space Science
Acid or Base?
Red cabbage juice is amazing! Acids and bases make it change color!
Subjects: Physical Science
Add It Up
This simple hands-on activity helps students master important addition facts and become strategic problem-solvers!
Subjects: Math
Advanced Mathematical Dream Catchers
Native American Indian culture and mathematical concepts combine to make dream catchers. This activity leads to higher mathematical investigations, including properties of circles and modular star polygons.
Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Art