All Activities

Make a Stronger Password: The Bruce Schneier Method

Digital Media and Communications, STEM

Grades 3 - 8

Make a Stronger Password: The Bruce Schneier Method

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will learn a new method for generating a strong online password. They also will recognize the need for strong passwords.

Discover Activity

Make a Stronger Password: The Bruce Schneier MethodDigital Media and Communications, STEM

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 8

Basics of Presenting (Grades 3-5)

Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 3 - 5

Basics of Presenting (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students prepare and deliver presentations, focusing on organizing their topic clearly and logically.

Discover Activity

Basics of Presenting (Grades 3-5)Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Sushi, Chopstick Relay (Team Building) Game

Social and Emotional Awareness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 12

Video

Sushi, Chopstick Relay (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

6 - 12

15 Minutes

Using only chopsticks, transfer candy from station to station until your team reaches the finish line!

Discover Activity

Video

Sushi, Chopstick Relay (Team Building) GameSocial and Emotional Awareness, Leadership and Teamwork

15 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Making Comics Part 2: Splash Page

Arts, Literacy

Grades 3 - 12

Making Comics Part 2: Splash Page

OregonASK

3 - 12

1 Hour

Students will look at the way characters and settings tell a visual story. They will have a chance to explore a Comic Book Splash Page and create their own.

This is part 2 of 7 in a series. Provide context by first facilitating Making Comics Part 1: Characters & Setting, and then afterward, Making Comics Parts 3-7.

Discover Activity

Making Comics Part 2: Splash PageArts, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 12

Decorate Your Science Notebook

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 12

Decorate Your Science Notebook

California Academy of Sciences

K - 12

1 Hour

By decorating and personalizing their own science notebooks, students develop a sense of ownership over their learning, establishing routines to record observations and reflections as they learn.

Discover Activity

Decorate Your Science NotebookSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

1 Hour•Grades K - 12

Speak and Listen (Grades 6-8)

Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

Speak and Listen (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students share details of their lives with one another, as well as stories, ideas, and plans for the future. After listening to one another, they try to recall those details. This simple but effective activity builds speaking and listening skills while helping students learn more about their peers.

Discover Activity

Speak and Listen (Grades 6-8)Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Ask the Expert

Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 3 - 5

Ask the Expert

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

1 Hour

In this group activity, students team up to become experts, and a panel of their peers will ask questions to learn more about their expertise.

Discover Activity

Ask the ExpertLiteracy, Social and Emotional Awareness

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 5

Measurement Games (Grades 6-8)

STEM

Grades 6 - 8

Measurement Games (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students test their estimation and measurement skills as they compete for points. This fun activity shows the value of precise measurement instruments and how the unaided eye can be easily misled.

Discover Activity

Measurement Games (Grades 6-8)STEM

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Robins

Nature and Wildlife, STEM

Grades K - 8

Robins

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

American robins are year-round visitors to suburban and rural settings. A male robin is often easier to identify than a female. Males have rust-colored feathers on their chest, a yellow bill, a black head, and white outlines around their eyes. They also have gray wings and backs. Female robins look similar to males, but their colors are much duller and sometimes blend, making identification difficult. Males are also easier to identify because only male robins sing their “cheerily, cheer up” song. This song is usually heard in the early morning, before and after sunrise. Robins also sing at dusk or when it’s about to rain.

American robins live in woodlands, suburban backyards, parks, and grasslands with shrubs. Robins can be found year-round in the continental United States, and some migrate north to spend summers in Alaska. Squirrels, snakes, and other birds have been known to eat robin eggs and chicks. Predators to adult robins include hawks, snakes, and cats. These birds are easily spotted hopping around city parks and lawns, searching for food in flocks. They have flexible diets and will eat whatever is most readily accessible, which can be dependent on the season. Robins often depend more on insects and earthworms in the spring, and consume more fruits and berries during the colder winter months.

Discover Activity

RobinsNature and Wildlife, STEM

50 Minutes•Grades K - 8

Jigsaw: Create a Sport

Leadership and Teamwork, Arts

Grades 6 - 8

Jigsaw: Create a Sport

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students apply their creativity and imagination to create a new sport, prompted by existing sports and useful adjectives.

Discover Activity

Jigsaw: Create a SportLeadership and Teamwork, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

U.S. Trade Balance

History and Society, Career and Future Readiness

Grades 9 - 12

U.S. Trade Balance

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to conduct research on the U.S. trade balance with Canada, Mexico, China, India, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Brazil.

Discover Activity

U.S. Trade BalanceHistory and Society, Career and Future Readiness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Mastering Play as a Funologist

STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 3 - 5

Mastering Play as a Funologist

Nickelodeon + Mizzen Education

3 - 5

1 Hour

Welcome to Nickelodeon’s Our World Play Lab! Youth are tasked with helping Nickelodeon create the most exciting and fun games ever for Worldwide Day of Play. Youth learn what it takes to become a Funologist by using science and math to design and build cool new games. As Funologists, they’ll explore what makes a game fun. Youth will play exciting games like the Tennis-Ball-On-A-Spoon Race and Pool Noodle Javelin Toss, and evaluate them using the Lab’s Worldwide Day of Play - Game Criteria Checklist. Get ready for a session full of creativity, teamwork, and celebration!

The activity is 1 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

Discover Activity

Mastering Play as a FunologistSTEM, Leadership and Teamwork

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 5

Beyond the Headlines: Sneaky Logos

Digital Media and Communications, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Beyond the Headlines: Sneaky Logos

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Dive into the world of iconic logos! In this lesson, we decode why our brains love images over words, transform plain logos into iconic masterpieces, and give friendly feedback. Get ready to unleash your inner designer!

This activity can be completed as a standalone lesson. It is best completed as part of SRL’s Beyond the Headlines 4-part series. This short series is also the first section of SRL’s First Module From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour. The module is broken into three sections. The first two contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows. The module is followed by a second that deepens student knowledge and skills.

Discover Activity

Beyond the Headlines: Sneaky LogosDigital Media and Communications, Arts

30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Making Costumes (Grades K-2)

Arts, Literacy

Grades K - 2

Making Costumes (Grades K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Children will choose a favorite animal character and design a costume for that character.

Discover Activity

Making Costumes (Grades K-2)Arts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

My Life (Grades9-12)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

My Life (Grades9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students sit in 2 concentric circles discussing various questions. They rotate every few minutes, changing partners and discussing a new question to practice communication and get to know one another.

Discover Activity

My Life (Grades9-12)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Obstacle Course (Grades K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

Grades K - 2

Obstacle Course (Grades K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Young children enjoy physical activity, and they appreciate humorous or lighthearted situations. In this activity, the children compete in a 2-person relay race across an obstacle course. They will practice a variety of motor skills involving speed, dexterity, and stamina.

Discover Activity

Obstacle Course (Grades K-2)Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

American Touch Football

Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

Grades 6 - 8

American Touch Football

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students team-up to learn the history and game of American football. Then, they go head-to-head in a game of touch football.

Discover Activity

American Touch FootballLeadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Is Pop Culture Inclusive?

Digital Media and Communications, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 12

Is Pop Culture Inclusive?

PBS

6 - 12

Let’s talk pop culture. There’s been a ton of buzz about the importance of representation of minorities in all the latest movies, TV shows, music, sports, video games, and books. Whether it’s racial, gender, socioeconomic, disability, or sexual orientation, many people believe that pop culture hasn’t fully succeeded at being inclusive and representative.

Most recently, the casting of Black actress Halle Bailey as Ariel in the new Little Mermaid remake had some critics fuming. They claimed that Bailey couldn’t possibly play the red-haired, porcelain-skinned mermaid, while also launching #NotMyAriel and #NotMyMermaid campaigns on social media. Disney-owned TV channel Freeform clapped back, calling the naysayers “poor, unfortunate souls.” On the flip side, from the SRL archives, an example (link in preparation steps)about MTV’s short-lived reality TV show, Buckwild, where students from West Virginia talk about how rural stereotypes in the show can be hurtful.

Productions like Crazy Rich Asians, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Blackish, The Hate U Give, Queer Eye, and Coco, however, show that diversity can be successful.

Discover Activity

Is Pop Culture Inclusive?Digital Media and Communications, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 12

Conceptualize and Design an Informational Visual

Arts, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Conceptualize and Design an Informational Visual

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

50 Minutes

Presenting information in attractive visual formats, such as posters, flyers, and brochures, is a frequently used tool of community and tourism organizations, businesses and trades, zoos and museums, as well as other groups that want to promote themselves or their causes to the public. Design elements are key to attracting viewers and helping them perceive and understand the information and intended message. In this activity, students will study and compare examples of informational products and then conceptualize, plan, and design an informational product of their own.

Discover Activity

Conceptualize and Design an Informational VisualArts, Literacy

50 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Word Detectives

Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 3 - 5

Word Detectives

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Every student will be assigned a secret word. It will be their job to try to get others to say their secret word in conversation. After having many conversations, they will have to use their detective skills to decide who had each secret word.

Discover Activity

Word DetectivesLiteracy, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

What Should Journalism Do?

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

What Should Journalism Do?

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

1 Hour

What is journalism, and what role does it play in our everyday lives? In this activity, students will reflect on the purpose of journalism, and how being informed can empower people.

Discover Activity

What Should Journalism Do?Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades 6 - 12

S.INQ Up Space Time Odyssey

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades 6 - 8

S.INQ Up Space Time Odyssey

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students create a model of the Universe, thinking about scale. In teams, students share and explain their models.

Discover Activity

S.INQ Up Space Time OdysseySTEM, Nature and Wildlife

1 Hour•Grades 6 - 8

What is a Quality?

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades K - 2

What is a Quality?

kid-grit

K - 2

20 Minutes

The goal of this activity is to help students understand and identify positive qualities about themselves and others. When children recognize their strengths, they learn to value themselves and understand that they are capable of doing wonderful things. It also helps them appreciate the good qualities in others, which leads to better friendships, cooperation, and kindness. Knowing and focusing on positive qualities helps children become more aware of how to be good friends, solve problems peacefully, and treat others with respect.

Discover Activity

What is a Quality?Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

20 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Reverse Engineering an Affinity Map

STEM, History and Society

Grades 9 - 12

Reverse Engineering an Affinity Map

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students explore affinity maps—in reverse! They form groups according to how an affinity map describes them, look for properties that each group has in common, and analyze the different ways these maps visually represent the whole.

Discover Activity

Reverse Engineering an Affinity MapSTEM, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Global Issues Collage

History and Society, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 9 - 12

Global Issues Collage

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students create collages based on a global issue and display them around the room to view and discuss with their peers.

Discover Activity

Global Issues CollageHistory and Society, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

S.INQ Sound Pitch

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 5

S.INQ Sound Pitch

OregonASK

K - 5

30 Minutes

Students use bottles of water, tuning forks, and other instruments to learn about pitch as the quality of sound. This hands-on activity gives students the opportunity to experiment with pitch and order instruments from highest to lowest.

Discover Activity

S.INQ Sound PitchSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

30 Minutes•Grades K - 5

Order Fractions

STEM, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Order Fractions

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students use pattern blocks to model fractions. Once the models are complete, students order their fractions from least to greatest. They then learn the cross-multiplying method of comparing fractions. This activity builds understanding of ordering and comparing fractions.

Discover Activity

Order FractionsSTEM, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Investing in Human Capital

Career and Future Readiness, History and Society

Grades 9 - 12

Investing in Human Capital

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students explore the meaning of human capital and its role in economic production. They work in teams as entrepreneurs to analyze a business’s human capital needs and reflect on the roles of scarcity and incentives in choosing workers.

Discover Activity

Investing in Human CapitalCareer and Future Readiness, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Be an Assignment Editor: Understanding Perspectives

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Be an Assignment Editor: Understanding Perspectives

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Sharpen your awareness! Students explore how selective attention can affect memory and perception in journalism and reporting. Join us in mastering the art of trustworthy reporting!

This lesson can be completed independently. It is also lesson 1 in SRL’s Be An Assignment Editor Series and is the 16th lesson in SRL’s Module From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour.

Discover Activity

Be an Assignment Editor: Understanding PerspectivesDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Shakespeare Scenes and You

Arts, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Shakespeare Scenes and You

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

The work of Shakespeare presents both a challenge and an opportunity to middle school student-actors. In this activity, students work in groups to practice and perform a short selection from a Shakespeare play. They recognize that the works of Shakespeare portray universal themes that apply to modern life.

Discover Activity

Shakespeare Scenes and YouArts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Freedom of the Press Broadcast

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Freedom of the Press Broadcast

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students explore the role and importance of the freedom of the press in the United States. Students identify key phrases in the First Amendment and organize into teams to study a political cartoon, an article, and a video related to the freedom of the press. They then apply what they have learned in a short broadcast of their own.

Discover Activity

Freedom of the Press BroadcastHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Ruley Rules

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Ruley Rules

kid-grit

3 - 5

15 Minutes

In this opening activity, you will break down the students' understanding of a rule and why we have them. Understanding the value of guidelines, rules, and expectations are an important part of personal development.

Discover Activity

Ruley RulesSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

15 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Insect Traps

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 5

Insect Traps

Go2Science

K - 5

50 Minutes

Let’s research respectfully! Use scavenged materials to create a model insect trap. Students will think about how to safely capture and release a specific insect and then design a model trap. Before getting started, watch Beth and Curtis demonstrate how this is done in the field using butterfly traps in the rainforest.

Discover Activity

Insect TrapsSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

50 Minutes•Grades K - 5

What Was the Cold War? (Grades 6-8)

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

What Was the Cold War? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

As time passes, events that many could once describe as “current” or “present-day” inevitably flow into the category of “history.” This activity will introduce students to the Cold War, a period of history where power, dominance, and strength were defined by 2 superpowers and 2 opposing world views.

Discover Activity

What Was the Cold War? (Grades 6-8)History and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Design Your Own Money (Grades 3-5)

Career and Future Readiness, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Design Your Own Money (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students create new designs for the front and back of the $10 bill. This activity builds design and creative-thinking skills.

Discover Activity

Design Your Own Money (Grades 3-5)Career and Future Readiness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Manufacturing and Automation Career Interest Quizzes

Career and Future Readiness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 8

Manufacturing and Automation Career Interest Quizzes

After-School All-Stars

6 - 8

20 Minutes

Assess student career interests and match them with potential manufacturing and automation careers with these short quizzes. This activity is part of the Manufacturing and Automation Career Exploration Course.

Discover Activity

Manufacturing and Automation Career Interest QuizzesCareer and Future Readiness, Leadership and Teamwork

20 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Spelling Bee (Grades9-12)

Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 9 - 12

Spelling Bee (Grades9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students are organized into small teams to play a game in which they must identify both correctly spelled words and incorrectly spelled words. The teams win points for corrections and lose points for incorrect answers. Teams are challenged to work together and strategize to score the most points to win.

Discover Activity

Spelling Bee (Grades9-12)Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Be a Sales Representative (Grades 6-8)

Career and Future Readiness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Be a Sales Representative (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Successful sales representatives know all of the advantages and disadvantages of their products and how their product compares with the competition. In this activity, students act as sales representatives for mobile telephones. They deliver sales pitches that portray their products as attractively as possible to potential customers.

Discover Activity

Be a Sales Representative (Grades 6-8)Career and Future Readiness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Beach Ball Math

STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades K - 8

Beach Ball Math

Foundations, Inc.

K - 8

30 Minutes

This game allows kids to move while they practice their math skills, engaging youth with kinesthetic and tactile learning.

Discover Activity

Beach Ball MathSTEM, Leadership and Teamwork

30 Minutes•Grades K - 8

Handling Stress (Grades 9-12)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

Grades 9 - 12

Handling Stress (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore situations in their lives that cause stress, the potentially harmful effects of stress, and how they can manage stressful situations.

Discover Activity

Handling Stress (Grades 9-12)Social and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Would You Rather?

Social and Emotional Awareness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 12

Would You Rather?

After-School All-Stars

6 - 12

10 Minutes

Warm up your brain and get to know your group with this question game that encourages you to trust your instincts and make decisions quickly.

Discover Activity

Would You Rather?Social and Emotional Awareness, Leadership and Teamwork

10 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Making a Kite

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 12

Making a Kite

OregonASK

K - 12

1 Hour

Students learn about the properties that affect kites, and make their own!

Discover Activity

Making a KiteSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

1 Hour•Grades K - 12

Community Colleges

Career and Future Readiness, History and Society

Grades 9 - 12

Community Colleges

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students learn about their local community colleges and how they differ from 4-year colleges and universities.

Discover Activity

Community CollegesCareer and Future Readiness, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Whoa, Domino!

Leadership and Teamwork, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Whoa, Domino!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students watch videos of impressive domino tracks and then create their own intricate domino tracks.

Discover Activity

Whoa, Domino!Leadership and Teamwork, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Character Mash-Up (Grades 9-12)

Arts, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Character Mash-Up (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students choose well-known characters from books, movies, and other media. Then, they form groups of 3 to plan and perform a short skit about the character.

Discover Activity

Character Mash-Up (Grades 9-12)Arts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Ready, Set, Relay Race!

Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

Grades 3 - 5

Ready, Set, Relay Race!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Relay races are a great way to get students moving while working together. In this activity students will be broken into teams to brainstorm different tasks for their fellow students to complete in a variety of relay races.

Discover Activity

Ready, Set, Relay Race!Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Pantomime (Grades 6-8)

Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

Pantomime (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students act out a good citizen or stewardship activity that could happen at school and other students guess the activities.

Discover Activity

Pantomime (Grades 6-8)Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Free Speech for Students

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Free Speech for Students

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will review the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, focusing on freedom of speech. They will learn that this freedom is a cornerstone of American culture and democracy, and it extends to students at school. Students will evaluate Tinker v. Des Moines along with a present-day case focusing on students’ first amendment rights.

Discover Activity

Free Speech for StudentsHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Tricky Conversations (Grades 9-12)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Tricky Conversations (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Teens may struggle to talk about a wide variety of personal subjects with parents, teachers, peers, and siblings. In this activity, teens will role-play a variety of conversation topics and evaluate their performances. (Note that the activity incorporates subjects such as honesty, friendship, academic achievement, and general health and wellness. However, it excludes controversial and emotionally sensitive subjects, such as sexuality and gender identity.)

Discover Activity

Tricky Conversations (Grades 9-12)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

What Makes a Good Interview? (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

What Makes a Good Interview? (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

Preparation and practice are the keys to a successful interview and amazing story. This lesson uses a famous art project, Humans of New York, to reverse-engineer good interview questions and techniques.

Before you write your own interview questions, understand your goal: to get soundbites that connect with your audience, illuminate the topic and move your story forward.

This is activity 10 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

Discover Activity

What Makes a Good Interview? (Student Reporting Labs)Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

50 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Do You Like This Website?

Digital Media and Communications, STEM

Grades K - 2

Do You Like This Website?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, children explore a variety of age-appropriate websites and evaluate them. First, the children explore websites with a partner. Then, they fill out a simple worksheet on their own to evaluate different aspects of the site. Finally, children reconvene as a whole group for discussion.

Discover Activity

Do You Like This Website?Digital Media and Communications, STEM

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Improvisation: Fictional Characters in Daily Life (Grades 9-12)

Literacy, Arts

Grades 9 - 12

Improvisation: Fictional Characters in Daily Life (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students improvise skits to show how fictional characters might respond to everyday situations and challenges. This activity demonstrates how fiction can differ from real life.

Discover Activity

Improvisation: Fictional Characters in Daily Life (Grades 9-12)Literacy, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

No Boundaries Chess

Leadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

No Boundaries Chess

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Chess is generally considered an individual sport. In this activity, the addition of a few new rules encourages players to work together as a team.

Discover Activity

No Boundaries ChessLeadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Research and Understanding (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Research and Understanding (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

Students will identify what they know and don’t know about their story’s topic. Once students know what they don’t know, they will use curiosity to guide research that will result in better developed stories.

This is activity 8 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

Discover Activity

Research and Understanding (Student Reporting Labs)Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

50 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Creative Reuse Collection Box

Arts, Health and Wellness

Grades K - 12

Creative Reuse Collection Box

Rediscover Center

K - 12

1 Hour

In this activity, students will create a collection box for recyclable home goods and materials. This is a group project and will require the participation of all students to collect from their homes to donate. This fun building and decorating activity will encourage everyone to be mindful of their waste!

Discover Activity

Creative Reuse Collection BoxArts, Health and Wellness

1 Hour•Grades K - 12

Stats-Minded Scrabble® Tournament

STEM, History and Society

Grades 9 - 12

Stats-Minded Scrabble® Tournament

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In traditional games of Scrabble® or other word games, the player with the highest total score is declared the winner. Not so in today’s activity! Students will play a word game in which the winner achieves a certain statistical goal, such as a mean score closest to 12 points or a set of scores with the greatest standard deviation.

Discover Activity

Stats-Minded Scrabble® TournamentSTEM, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Rock Cycle Roundabout

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades 3 - 8

Rock Cycle Roundabout

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 8

1 Hour 20 Minutes

After playing a board game to learn how to differentiate the three ways rocks can form, students analyze maps of local topography, water sources, and volcanic activity, to better understand how geology affects a given region. They also experience scale, recognizing geologic processes as fast or extremely gradual.

Discover Activity

Rock Cycle RoundaboutSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

1 Hour 20 Minutes•Grades 3 - 8

Balloon Buddies (Team Building) Game

Leadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades K - 12

Video

Balloon Buddies (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

K - 12

10 Minutes

Grab a friend and try to keep your balloon up in the air longer than anyone else in the room!

Discover Activity

Video

Balloon Buddies (Team Building) GameLeadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

10 Minutes•Grades K - 12

Stop the Show (Grades 6-8)

Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

Stop the Show (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Small groups of students plan scenarios that have concrete starting points and a conflict, obstacle, or problem the characters have to solve. At a certain point, the adult leader stops the play and asks the audience to vote on the ending to the scene. Students learn to be flexible and creative by acting out the new ending.

Discover Activity

Stop the Show (Grades 6-8)Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

What Makes a Strong Online Community? (Grades 6-8)

Digital Media and Communications, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

What Makes a Strong Online Community? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students model an online chat group and learn that these groups can be successful and enjoyable, as long as everyone is respectful.

Discover Activity

What Makes a Strong Online Community? (Grades 6-8)Digital Media and Communications, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Crowdsourcing

STEM, Career and Future Readiness

Grades 6 - 8

Crowdsourcing

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn about different types of crowdsourcing and then work together in small groups to develop a project idea that uses crowdsourcing. This activity builds analytic and problem-solving skills. It also develops speaking and listening skills.

Discover Activity

CrowdsourcingSTEM, Career and Future Readiness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Early African Civilizations and Cultures

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 3 - 8

Early African Civilizations and Cultures

Pulitzer Center

3 - 8

1 Hour

In this activity, students exercise their research and presentation skills while learning about the cultures of early African civilizations. Facilitators will model inquiry and research by co-creating a presentation on the kingdom of Ndongo, featured in the picture book Born on the Water, with the whole group. Students will then complete their own inquiry into an early African civilization and share their learning with their peers.

Discover Activity

Early African Civilizations and CulturesHistory and Society, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 8

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Self Propelled Cars

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades K - 5

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Self Propelled Cars

OregonASK

K - 5

30 Minutes

In this activity, students have the opportunity to build, test, and modify self propelled cars using an engineering design grid. Students will build cars with sails, testing them with a fan to see what kinds of sails work best to propel their vehicle.

Discover Activity

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Self Propelled CarsSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

30 Minutes•Grades K - 5

Hate Speech vs. Free Speech

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Hate Speech vs. Free Speech

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will discover that the First Amendment guarantees Americans the right to free speech but that not all speech is protected. They will define the concept of hate speech, explain when it is protected, and explain when the government can step in to limit it. Students will analyze different real-life situations to determine if hate speech should be protected and explaining their reasoning to the whole group.

Discover Activity

Hate Speech vs. Free SpeechHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Clutch (Team Building) Game

Leadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades K - 12

Video

Clutch (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

K - 12

10 Minutes

Circle up to see who has the reflexes and discipline to be "clutch" for this activity. Here's a hint; success will depend on how well you can multitask.

Discover Activity

Video

Clutch (Team Building) GameLeadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

10 Minutes•Grades K - 12

Four Square Bonanza

Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

Grades 3 - 5

Four Square Bonanza

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Four Square is a fast-paced game that keeps students moving. In this activity, students refine their skills in coordination and sportsmanship by participating in Four Square Bonanza!

Discover Activity

Four Square BonanzaLeadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Plan a Trip Through China

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Plan a Trip Through China

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to research China and then plan a trip through the country.

Discover Activity

Plan a Trip Through ChinaHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Play Stations

Arts, STEM

Grades 6 - 12

Play Stations

VentureLab

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Give students the opportunity to freely play and reconnect with their own innate creativity.

Discover Activity

Play StationsArts, STEM

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 1

Health and Wellness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades K - 8

Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 1

Active Kids and Minds

K - 8

40 Minutes

Start week 10 by learning the skill of the week: Donkey Kicks. In this activity, students perfect their strength and balance with donkey kicks and a game of Shadow. Then, they sharpen their understanding of food groups.

This activity is part of the Active Kids and Minds Functional Fitness 12-week program. If you are new to the program, visit the Active Kids and Minds Functional Fitness: Weeks 1-4 Collection getting started.

Discover Activity

Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 1Health and Wellness, Leadership and Teamwork

40 Minutes•Grades K - 8

Economic Concepts: What Is a Consumer?

Career and Future Readiness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 3 - 8

Economic Concepts: What Is a Consumer?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 8

45 Minutes

Students participate in simulated shopping, with some spending play money in local mock stores while others act as proprietors. These stores are all small businesses (i.e., not large chains or box stores) and offer items attractive to consumer students, who will have to determine how and where to spend their money. After a shopping trip, total receipts from each store will be counted. A group discussion will include why students made their choices and how their choices as consumers affected the businesses.

Discover Activity

Economic Concepts: What Is a Consumer?Career and Future Readiness, Leadership and Teamwork

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 8

20 Questions (Grades 6-8)

STEM, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

20 Questions (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students play the popular game 20 Questions. First, students pair off, with 1 student thinking of an animal, vegetable, or mineral while the other asks their partner up to 20 questions to determine what it is. Finally, students reconvene as a whole group for a discussion.

Discover Activity

20 Questions (Grades 6-8)STEM, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Olympic Games (Grades 6-8)

Leadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

Olympic Games (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn and play a series of Olympic games. Then they vote on their favorite game. This activity builds listening and cooperative learning skills. It can also improve physical and reasoning skills.

Discover Activity

Olympic Games (Grades 6-8)Leadership and Teamwork, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Be an Assignment Editor: Pick an Angle

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Be an Assignment Editor: Pick an Angle

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Unlock the secrets of journalism in today's investigative lesson! Join us in playing detective, decoding clues, and uncovering the key to journalism - finding the story or angle! Get ready to think critically and collaborate with your fellow reporters.

This lesson is part of SRL's Be An Assignment Series. This series is also the third section of SRL’s First Module From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour. The module is broken into three sections. The first two contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows. The module is followed by a second that deepens student knowledge and skills.

Discover Activity

Be an Assignment Editor: Pick an AngleDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

PBS

6 - 12

25 Minutes

Students create short presentations to learn about copyright and fair use on the internet.

This is activity 5 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

Discover Activity

25 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12