All Activities

Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 2-6

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades K - 8

Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 2-6

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

2 Hours

In this activity, students prepare for and then host a guest speaker through the Pulitzer Center’s free virtual journalist visit program. The Pulitzer Center works with thousands of journalists, making the visit customizable: students can learn about career pathways, journalism skills, interrupting bias and misinformation, and/or content areas that the journalist covers.

In the first 60-minute activity period, students consider how to prepare for a guest speaker so that the students feel comfortable and the guest feels welcome. In the second activity period, students welcome their guest speaker and ask their prepared questions.

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Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 2-6Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

2 Hours•Grades K - 8

Controlling the Light

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Controlling the Light

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Imagine recording an interview outside. You can’t simply move the sun, but you can certainly manipulate it! Students learn how to build and use DIY reflectors to ensure natural, even lighting.

This is lesson 22 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

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Controlling the LightDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Intro to Advanced Manufacturing and Automation

STEM, Career and Future Readiness

Grades 6 - 8

Intro to Advanced Manufacturing and Automation

After-School All-Stars

6 - 8

20 Minutes

This mini-lesson introduces the Advanced Manufacturing and Automation Career Exploration Course. Students explore various aspects of this exciting field, including learning how technological advances increase efficiency in producing goods and services.

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Intro to Advanced Manufacturing and AutomationSTEM, Career and Future Readiness

20 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

A News Show Structure: Design My News Hour

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

A News Show Structure: Design My News Hour

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Students take on the role of Executive Producers for a new News Show, immersing themselves in the art of structuring a compelling news hour. Leveraging everything they learned thus far in the From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour Module, your young news architects will map out the blueprint of their 60-minute news broadcasts.

This activity is a culmination of SRL’s The News Show Structure series. This series is also the second 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.

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A News Show Structure: Design My News HourDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 3

Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

Grades K - 8

Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 3

Active Kids and Minds

K - 8

40 Minutes

Finish week 10 with the skill of the week: Donkey Kicks. In this culminating activity, students continue sharpening their agility and endurance with donkey kicks and game of Fishy, Fishy, Cross My Ocean. Then, they revisit discourse about healthy eating and nutrition.

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 before getting started.

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Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 3Leadership and Teamwork, Health and Wellness

40 Minutes•Grades K - 8

Storybook Yoga

Literacy, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades K - 5

Storybook Yoga

PowerUp Fitness

K - 5

15 Minutes

PowerUp with Storytime Yoga - flow through characters and scenes to stretch literacy skills with this yoga activity.

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Storybook YogaLiteracy, Social and Emotional Awareness

15 Minutes•Grades K - 5

What Does the Design Tell Us?

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades 9 - 12

What Does the Design Tell Us?

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Youth test various outside areas to determine the spaces creating the most runoff.

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What Does the Design Tell Us?STEM, Nature and Wildlife

1 Hour•Grades 9 - 12

What Is Bias?

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades K - 8

What Is Bias?

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour

In this activity, students learn about bias and use mind mapping strategies to unpack their biases. Through a series of small group and whole group discussions, students consider why we have bias and how biases can affect our attitudes and behaviors in response to people, places, events, or ideas. Finally, students challenge bias and stereotypes by exploring multiple news stories that help them see a fuller picture of a place.

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What Is Bias?Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades K - 8

Children in World War II

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Children in World War II

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to research children’s experiences during World War II. Each group focuses on a different aspect of the experience to develop a short play that they perform for the larger group.

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Children in World War IIHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Professional Habits

Career and Future Readiness, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 9 - 12

Professional Habits

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Acting professionally is an important part of a successful career. Having an education does not guarantee one understands the distinction between polite, appropriate behavior and behavior that may be questionable. Students identify and classify the behaviors and habits of a professional worker and practice writing promotion and demotion letters that reflect these behaviors.

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Professional HabitsCareer and Future Readiness, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Farm to Table 5: Prototype Naming

Arts, Career and Future Readiness

Grades 6 - 8

Farm to Table 5: Prototype Naming

OregonASK

6 - 8

30 Minutes

In this activity, students brainstorm names and logos for their developed prototypes.

This activity is part 5 of 6 in a series. Start with “Farm to Table 1: Prototype Brainstorm”, “Farm to Table 2: Prototype Selection”, “Farm to Table 3: Prototype Build”, “Farm to Table 4: Prototype Test & Modify”. To take this activity one step further, continue on to“Farm to Table 6: Prototype Presentation.”

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Farm to Table 5: Prototype NamingArts, Career and Future Readiness

30 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Floating STEM Platforms (Team Building) Game

STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 12

Video

Floating STEM Platforms (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

6 - 12

30 Minutes

Compete to be the best engineer by building a free floating, weight bearing platform with everyday classroom supplies!

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Video

Floating STEM Platforms (Team Building) GameSTEM, Leadership and Teamwork

30 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

MLS STEM Goals: Probability and Strategy

STEM

Grades 3 - 8

MLS STEM Goals: Probability and Strategy

Learn Fresh

3 - 8

1 Hour

In this activity, students examine how probability affects decision-making in MLS STEM Goals. Using shooting percentages from sample team cards, students review a set of game scenarios and determine whether taking a shot or attempting to move to a different shot spot offers the better chance of scoring. Students compare percentages, evaluate risk, and explain their reasoning as they consider how probability influences in-game choices. This lesson serves as a transition into the postseason, giving teams an opportunity to refine their decision-making strategies before playoff gameplay begins.

This is activity 7 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.

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MLS STEM Goals: Probability and StrategySTEM

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 8

Back-to-Back Drawings

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Back-to-Back Drawings

After-School All-Stars

6 - 8

10 Minutes

This drawing and communication activity gets students practicing interpreting what others mean and articulating their own thoughts.

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Back-to-Back DrawingsSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

10 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Round and Round We Go: A Model of the Solar System

STEM, Nature and Wildlife

Grades 3 - 5

Round and Round We Go: A Model of the Solar System

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

The movement of planets around the Sun is an example of a system that is too large to observe directly, but can be well understood with models. In this activity, students work together to develop a human-sized, functional model of the 8 planets (plus dwarf planet Pluto) and the Sun.

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Round and Round We Go: A Model of the Solar SystemSTEM, Nature and Wildlife

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Finding Underreported Stories

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades K - 8

Finding Underreported Stories

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour

In this activity, students explore the idea of underreported stories and consider why some news stories don’t get as much attention as others. After considering what news stories in their own community are underreported, students propose at least one story they think should get more attention.

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Finding Underreported StoriesDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades K - 8

Park Design Project

Nature and Wildlife, STEM

Grades 6 - 8

Park Design Project

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 25 Minutes

In this lesson, students will combine their knowledge of how urban forests, biodiversity, and climate change influence themselves and their communities to create an action plan to improve or create green space. Students will be able to see that they can make change within their community through actively identifying a site to beautify, designing possible solutions to improve it. In this lesson, it will be key to take into account how climate change is affecting your city.

This is activity 3 of 3 in the "Design a Park" module from City Parks Foundation.

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Park Design ProjectNature and Wildlife, STEM

1 Hour 25 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Communicating at Work

Leadership and Teamwork, Career and Future Readiness

Grades 6 - 8

Communicating at Work

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Large companies are organized so that staff can communicate with one another and make decisions effectively. In this activity, students model the staff of a large company and learn how to communicate within an established structure.

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Communicating at WorkLeadership and Teamwork, Career and Future Readiness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Two Truths and a Lie (Grades 6-8)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Two Truths and a Lie (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

As students complete this activity, they may be surprised to have an “adult-sanctioned” opportunity to compose lies! In this game, students describe themselves using 2 true statements and 1 untrue statement. Then, group members guess which statement is the lie.

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Two Truths and a Lie (Grades 6-8)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Create Your Own Ending

Literacy, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Create Your Own Ending

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this creative and imaginative activity, students will be reading a story together, pausing before the ending, and writing their own of the story. Then, students will hear the author's ending of the story.

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Create Your Own EndingLiteracy, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

55 Minutes

In recent years, news that is invented and untrue, often called fake news, has been spreading widely across the internet and social-media platforms. This news is a threat to democracy when it confuses or tricks a voter into believing false information about a candidate. In this activity, students explore the legitimacy of news stories and learn to recognize and confirm that a story has been invented or deeply exaggerated, especially in an attempt to manipulate the reader or viewer.

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What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

55 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Public Speaking

Literacy, History and Society

Grades 9 - 12

Public Speaking

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

1 Hour

In this activity, students plan, research, and deliver a presentation.

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Public SpeakingLiteracy, History and Society

1 Hour•Grades 9 - 12

Stories from Other Cultures

Literacy, History and Society

Grades 9 - 12

Stories from Other Cultures

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students read selections from global literature, and then discuss the works from thematic, cultural, and historical perspectives. They also compare and contrast their selections with a familiar work of American fiction.

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Stories from Other CulturesLiteracy, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Sign Language Bingo!

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Sign Language Bingo!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students learn American Sign Language (ASL) signs for common snacks. They practice the signs in small groups, and then use the signs to play a game of bingo.

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Sign Language Bingo!Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Dance, Music, and Rhythm (Grades K-2)

Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades K - 2

Dance, Music, and Rhythm (Grades K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Students use their hands, their bodies, and the floor in front of them to tap out rhythms. They also use simple percussion instruments to create more sounds. This activity shows that music and rhythm can be created anywhere and anytime, with no special equipment necessary.

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Dance, Music, and Rhythm (Grades K-2)Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Elevator Pitch Practice: Pitch Improv

Career and Future Readiness, Literacy

Grades K - 12

Elevator Pitch Practice: Pitch Improv

Young Entrepreneur Institute

K - 12

15 Minutes

In this activity, students practice developing and presenting a pitch. They are given an improv topic to present a pitch. The goals are to become more comfortable presenting to a group; start to establish a safe space by practicing constructive feedback with peers; develop or refine presentation skills such as pace, volume, tone, eye contact and confidence.

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Elevator Pitch Practice: Pitch ImprovCareer and Future Readiness, Literacy

15 Minutes•Grades K - 12

Reviving a Brand

Career and Future Readiness, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 8

Reviving a Brand

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students often purchase clothing, athletic gear, and other products based on the company that sells them, or on the brand name. While many companies and brands have retained their popularity for many years, others lose customers and may fail over time. In this activity, students work in small groups to plan their own branded product and explore the reasons why customers select a brand and then perhaps lose interest in the brand over time.

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Reviving a BrandCareer and Future Readiness, Leadership and Teamwork

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Career Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Career and Future Readiness, History and Society

Grades 3 - 5

Career Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students learn about a wide variety of careers as they play a version of bingo.

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Career Bingo (Grades 3-5)Career and Future Readiness, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

My Neighborhood

Social and Emotional Awareness, History and Society

Grades K - 2

My Neighborhood

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity about sense of place, children represent and discuss their neighborhoods. They build upon their own observations of their families and daily lives to recognize their interdependent relationships with the greater community.

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My NeighborhoodSocial and Emotional Awareness, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Is Social Media Addictive? (Grades 9-12)

Digital Media and Communications, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 9 - 12

Is Social Media Addictive? (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students will evaluate information about social media to try to determine if it is addictive.

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Is Social Media Addictive? (Grades 9-12)Digital Media and Communications, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Cyberbullying: Prevent It, Stop It, Report It

Digital Media and Communications, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 3 - 5

Cyberbullying: Prevent It, Stop It, Report It

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students identify examples of cyberbullying and explore ways to protect themselves. Then, students brainstorm ideas for an anti-cyberbullying campaign by identifying ways young people can prevent, stop, and report instances of cyberbullying—as both the victims and the bullies. Finally, they present their ideas in the form of a poster.

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Cyberbullying: Prevent It, Stop It, Report ItDigital Media and Communications, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Roll Out the Snakes!

Arts, Literacy

Grades K - 2

Roll Out the Snakes!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Rolling out clay coils is a great way to create a snake. Children create their own snakes from clay and decorate them with geometric shapes and patterns.

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Roll Out the Snakes!Arts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Play Dough Pictionary

Arts, Literacy

Grades K - 5

Play Dough Pictionary

Foundations, Inc.

K - 5

45 Minutes

Take traditional Pictionary to a new dimension! Practice fractions and measurement to make your own play dough. Then, use the dough to sculpt clues to a partner or team.

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Play Dough PictionaryArts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 5

Create A Cardboard Self-Portrait

Arts, Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades K - 12

Create A Cardboard Self-Portrait

Rediscover Center

K - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will use creative reuse materials to create self-portraits.

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Create A Cardboard Self-PortraitArts, Social and Emotional Awareness

45 Minutes•Grades K - 12

Net Match

STEM, Arts

Grades 6 - 8

Net Match

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

A net is a 2-dimensional representation of the surface of a 3-dimensional object. In this activity, students fold nets to form 3-D objects and then compete to match each object with its net.

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Net MatchSTEM, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

The Puppet Version of Me

Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

Grades K - 2

The Puppet Version of Me

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students use a variety of materials to create paper-bag puppets that represent their looks and interests. Then they use their puppets to give a presentation about themselves to the group, puppet-show style.

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The Puppet Version of MeSocial and Emotional Awareness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Escape Room (Grades 6-8)

STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 8

Escape Room (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Teams work together to solve clues and puzzles to escape from a room. This activity builds collaboration, creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

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Escape Room (Grades 6-8)STEM, Leadership and Teamwork

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8