All Activities

Writing the News

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Writing the News

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Youth learn the process of writing for a newspaper by learning about types of articles, exploring article elements, and writing their own articles.

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MLB Players STEM League Lesson 4: Building Your Lineup

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Leadership and Teamwork

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 4: Building Your Lineup

Learn Fresh

3 - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

In this lesson, students will use their knowledge of baseball to build their batting lineup. This lesson encourages students to pay attention to player statistics before deciding the best lineup. Once their lineups have been set, it’s time for students to play their first MLB Players STEM League game! A bonus activity on Integrity is also included, encouraging students to reflect on the importance of honesty and fairness in sports and beyond.

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In My Shoes (Grades 9-12)

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

In My Shoes (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students write a fictional first-person narrative from someone else's perspective. Students may choose someone they know personally or research a subject from the past or present.

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What Is Media? (Grades 3-5)

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

What Is Media? (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students identify the different ways that media impacts their daily lives. After learning about the definition of media and some familiar examples, students reflect on the role and influence of media in their own lives. Next, students brainstorm different media inventions that they find useful or helpful.

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Target Quest (Grades 6-8)

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives

Target Quest (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to measure and construct 2-dimensional figures to match a target shape.

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Storybook Yoga

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

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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What Does the Design Tell Us?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

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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Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 3

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

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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A News Show Structure: Design My News Hour

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

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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Back-to-Back Drawings

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

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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Children in World War II

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

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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Floating STEM Platforms (Team Building) Game

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Leadership and Teamwork

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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Professional Habits

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Belonging and Community

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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Farm to Table 5: Prototype Naming

Arts in Action, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

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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What Is Bias?

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

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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Create Your Own Ending

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

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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Two Truths and a Lie (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

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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What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

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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Communicating at Work

Leadership and Teamwork, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

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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Finding Underreported Stories

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

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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Park Design Project

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

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

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

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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STEM Identity

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives

STEM Identity

Foundations, Inc.

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Enjoy bringing out the importance of careful observation, drawing, and note taking with this yummy activity! Students will think critically, stay engaged, and even get a little silly!

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Sustainable Fishing

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Sustainable Fishing

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 12

1 Hour

By using a model for how fishing affects marine life populations, students construct explanations for one of the reasons why fish populations are declining. They will then work to design solutions for ways of making fisheries more sustainable for the animals and the people who depend on them.

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Giant Scrabble

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Giant Scrabble

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Scrabble is a game that challenges us to use our critical thinking skills to build words. In this activity, students will have the chance to make their own Scrabble tile and work together to make words and play a giant game of Scrabble.

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Generational Angst

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Generational Angst

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

2 Hours

Using the same set of questions, students explore reactions to different musical genres. Students use the responses to uncover similarities with peers and older generations through two comparison diagrams.

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Write Your Representative

We The People, Belonging and Community

Write Your Representative

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students select a local issue that affects their community. Then they draft, finalize, and send a letter to their representative asking for a particular action to address the issue.

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Talk Show—High School Style

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Talk Show—High School Style

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students stage their own talk shows. Each group presents their talk show, with 1 student acting as host to 3 guests.

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Reviewing and Writing a Blog

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Reviewing and Writing a Blog

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students learn that people use blogs to share ideas, opinions, and information about topics that interest them. They begin by defining blog and blogger and then explore and review blogs written by kids their age. Finally, they choose a topic or theme for a blog of their own and write a blog entry.

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Book Design (Grades K-2)

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Book Design (Grades K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Children look at and discuss art depicting foods and then illustrate a foldable book presenting their favorite foods.

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History of Flight

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, We The People

History of Flight

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn about the Wright Brothers and early plane designs.

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Are We Contributing to or Reducing Runoff?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Are We Contributing to or Reducing Runoff?

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Youth learn about runoff and how spaces are designed to contribute to or reduce runoff.

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Play Classic Gym Games

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

Play Classic Gym Games

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

There are many great games that have been around a long time and need no equipment except for the players. Children explore the classic games of Follow the Leader, Captain, May I? and Freeze Tag. They then work together to come up with another game they can play with only the players as required equipment.

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Race and Justice

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Race and Justice

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

More than a year has passed since people took to the streets outraged by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police. Scenes of compassion and solidarity, mixed with fury and chaos, are still everywhere on social media. Emotions are raw as the nation faces deep tensions about the state of race and justice in America.

Student Reporting Labs wants to hear from teens at this moment.

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Tree Count Activity

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Tree Count Activity

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour

Street trees play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change, including intensified flooding events. Planting and maintaining the health of these street trees allows for the absorption of stormwater, reducing the amount of runoff and reducing the risk of CSO events. This activity is meant to evaluate the health of local street trees and understand how tree health and density influence their capacity to mitigate the effects of climate change.

This is activity 2 of 3 in the "Sustainable Cities" module from City Parks Foundation.

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DIY Playing Card

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

DIY Playing Card

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Sets of playing cards are unique and detailed. Today students will have the opportunity to create their own playing card. They will be in charge of designing the image on the back of the playing card and the look of the front of it.

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What Do Lawyers Do?

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, We The People

What Do Lawyers Do?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students read online sources about 4 fields of the law—and learn about a lawyer who became a politician.

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Playing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork, We The People

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

50 Minutes

In this culminating project and exploration of lesser-known Black American contributions, students will use their completed Innovator Trading Cards to determine the most suitable type of community helper for various scenarios.

This is the second of two activities in the Innovator Trading Card Collection:

Activity 1 focuses on the theme of the week, learning about the innovators and their influence, and designing the innovator trading cards.
Activity 2 focuses on facilitating the associated game to reinforce learning.

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Desert Scavenger Hunt

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Desert Scavenger Hunt

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students complete an informational scavenger hunt as they research and report on Earth’s deserts. As in a physical scavenger hunt, teams gather facts about deserts by answering specific questions and conducting research. They reconvene to share what they have learned.

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Listen to Your Partner

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Listen to Your Partner

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Everyone can benefit from practice in listening and following instructions. In this activity, students take turns instructing one another about where to draw symbols on blank grids. They challenge themselves to listen to and follow instructions of increasing complexity.

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Present in Slides

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Present in Slides

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Slide-show presentations are an excellent and widely used method of sharing information with large groups of people. In this activity, students study best practices for creating these types of presentations. Then they plan, create, and share a presentation on any topic of interest to them. The activity concludes with praise and constructive feedback from the group.

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More Tools Are Better Than One

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

More Tools Are Better Than One

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In life, there are many tasks that cannot be completed without the help of a team. In this activity, students will attempt to separate a mixture of things by themselves using only a single tool. They will come to find that when they all put their tools together and communicate, the work becomes much easier.

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The News Today

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

The News Today

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will analyze the structure of the daily newspaper, and then collaborate to write a newspaper edition of their own.

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Animal Antics

The Natural World, Arts in Action

Animal Antics

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

30 Minutes

Primary-age children love animals, and they often have a favorite animal that appeals to them. In this activity, children act out animals for the group. They discover the traits and behaviors that distinguish animals from one another.

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Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 9-12)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students complete a bingo game card about themselves, and then the whole group works together to play the bingo game. Students will learn interesting facts about one another and, perhaps, begin some new friendships.

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Building Canoes

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Building Canoes

OregonASK

6 - 12

1 Hour 15 Minutes

In this activity, students learn to engineer a canoe out of popsicle sticks and other everyday materials.

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Interview Role Play

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Belonging and Community

Interview Role Play

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

A job interview is unlike any other conversation that a young adult will have, and it can be a source of anxiety. The person conducting the interview is a stranger, has access to personal information about the applicant, and is charged with judging the applicant as suitable or not suitable for the job. In this activity, students practice interviewing for a job and alternate taking the role of both the job applicant and the interviewer.

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Rubber Band Battle (Team Building) Game

Leadership and Teamwork, Belonging and Community

Rubber Band Battle (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

6 - 12

15 Minutes

Get ready for a battle of the "bands". Take aim as you "stretch" your skills by knocking down your opponents structures!

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Aquarium Day

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Aquarium Day

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Students make a model touch pool after learning about animal life at an aquarium.

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Who Wins, Who Loses?

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Who Wins, Who Loses?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students play a decision game. Each student in a group chooses a letter, A or B. Everyone in the group will earn or lose points, depending on the letter they choose AND the letters the other group members choose. This activity builds understanding of group dynamics and the effects of decision-making on others.

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New End to the Story

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

New End to the Story

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Young children enjoy interacting with read-aloud stories. In this activity, children are given an opportunity to create an ending to a storybook, such as Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli. After they suggest endings, they find out how the author ended the book.

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Meet Abraham Lincoln!

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Meet Abraham Lincoln!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Children learn about the life of Abraham Lincoln by listening to a biography of Lincoln and discussing the book. They use what they have learned to present a short role-play in which they take turns acting as Lincoln.

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How Has Climate Change Occurred Over Time?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

How Has Climate Change Occurred Over Time?

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Students use kinesthetic movements and temporal experiences to understand research on how Earth’s climate changes.

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Improv: Say the Line

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Improv: Say the Line

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Have fun with improv! Students are given a scenario, such as "customer at a shoe store" or "students in the cafeteria line" and begin acting out a scene. At your signal, one of the actors needs to pick a slip of paper that contains a random line of dialogue and then try to work it into the scene. Watch the creativity and laughter ensue as you build on students’ improvisation skills.

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How to Remember Names (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

How to Remember Names (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students practice memory strategies to remember others' names (or fictitious names) and play a game to see how many names they can remember.

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Functional Fitness Week 4: Day 3

Whole Body, Whole Self, Leadership and Teamwork

Functional Fitness Week 4: Day 3

Active Kids and Minds

K - 8

40 Minutes

Finish week 4 with the skill of the week: Sit-ups. In this activity, students engage in high-intensity intervals with Sit-Up Tabata and team-up to play Delivery Truck. Then, they learn how to healthily incorporate grains into their diet.

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Canada Tourism Bureau

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Canada Tourism Bureau

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students create a tourism slideshow presentation to promote the country of Canada.

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Design a Video Game

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Design a Video Game

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in groups to design their own video games. They begin by outlining a character and story and then sketch out scenes, plan sound effects, and describe basic rules and strategies for the game. This activity builds planning, design, and cooperative learning skills.

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Who Is Telling the Truth? (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Who Is Telling the Truth? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students try to guess which one of 3 players is telling the truth. This game builds self-awareness by identifying feelings related to honesty and dishonesty. The game also builds speaking and listening skills and helps group members get to know one another.

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Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey

California Academy of Sciences

6 - 8

25 Minutes

Community science, also called citizen science, is a global effort in which scientists and the public work together to help gather data on the earth’s biodiversity. In Sky Survey, youth will step into the shoes of scientists by exploring the features of the sky. They will use the GLOBE Observer app to submit their celestial sightings to NASA researchers who are studying the connection between clouds and climate. NASA uses this sky data to verify satellite images of Earth’s atmosphere and to validate and calibrate the instruments that take them.

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Interrupting Bias with Curiosity

Digital Voices, We The People

Interrupting Bias with Curiosity

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

In this activity, students explore how they can use their curiosity to interrupt bias. They will put their curiosity to work in an activity exploring a multimedia news story while using three strategies: slowing down, asking questions, and checking assumptions.

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Reclaiming Narratives: Creative Accounts of Black History

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Reclaiming Narratives: Creative Accounts of Black History

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Students explore creative accounts of underrepresented or misrepresented events in Black history. After considering the power of creative writing as a means to process and interpret history, they will write their own creative reimagining of a historical event.

This activity is designed for two 45-minute periods or one 90-minute period.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by listening to a picture book. Then, students team-up to create their own books about Dr. King.

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Holistic Wellness Wheel

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Holistic Wellness Wheel

kid-grit

3 - 12

1 Hour

Students benefit from having tools available to help them reflect on their own wellness. In this activity, students use the Holistic Wellness Wheel (HWW) to explore how dissatisfied or satisfied they are in different areas of their life.

The HWW can be used throughout the kid-grit curriculum in any way you find it valuable. Some instructors use it once a week as a check in with students.

Note: The time required to complete the activity may vary depending on the age of students and how often it is completed.

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I’ve Got a Question!

Stories and Perspectives, We The People

I’ve Got a Question!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn reading and analysis skills, writing down questions that come to mind about ideas and vocabulary in an assigned text. After reading, students discuss and work through the most challenging questions together.

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Design a Pollinator Garden

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Design a Pollinator Garden

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

More than 85 percent of flowering plants require an insect for pollination, which allows for fruit and seed production. These fruits and seeds are a part of the diet of about 25 percent of birds and many mammals. Each year pollinators affect $577 billion in global crops, including $235 billion in the United States. Native bees pollinate an estimated 15 percent of U.S fruit, nut, vegetable, and field crops.

Planting a pollinator garden doesn’t have to be a big undertaking. Any size is excellent. From window and patio planters to home gardens, to pathways and roadsides, to acres of prairies and meadows - all can support pollinator populations. Besides the usual habitat elements, food, water, shelter, and a place to raise young, pollinator habitats have some specific qualities.

● Use plants that provide nectar and pollen sources;

● Be situated in sunny areas with windbreaks;

● Create “pollinator targets” of native and non-invasive plants;

● Establish continuous bloom throughout the growing season; and

● Eliminate or minimize the impact of pesticides.

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Seasonal Collages

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Seasonal Collages

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Children work in groups to create photo collages that represent a season. They discuss and compare their collages, and use them to describe seasonal changes.

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Do Not Sell My Personal Information (Grades 6-8)

Digital Voices, We The People

Do Not Sell My Personal Information (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students explore a law, effective January 2020, that prevents websites from selling people’s personal information. Students will research websites that comply with this law and create a poster to educate others about it, developing key skills in communication, online awareness and safety, and collaboration.

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Random Numbers (Team Building) Game

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Leadership and Teamwork

Random Numbers (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

K - 12

15 Minutes

The pressure is on you to locate numbers in order as fast as you can. You can "count" on other players feeling the stress as well!

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South America Scavenger Hunt

We The People, The Natural World

South America Scavenger Hunt

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn about the geography of South America by participating in 2 scavenger hunts. First, they work in teams to find and label countries, islands, and physical features on the continent. Then, they look up key facts about assigned locations and take a “tour” of South America, keeping track of their route on maps.

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Build Your Own Roller Coaster

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Build Your Own Roller Coaster

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students create their own roller coasters! Working in teams, students get as creative as they want to make the best roller coasters.

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Quote Match (Grades 9-12)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Quote Match (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students find quotes from popular literature and then pool their quotes to play and compete in a quote matching game. This activity may inspire students to read new books.

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Hidden Advertising

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Hidden Advertising

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students will analyze "advertorials," ads that appear as if they are news stories or entertainment articles but are, in fact, selling a product.

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Homework: Too Much or Just Enough?

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Homework: Too Much or Just Enough?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students debate whether they receive too much homework or not, and brainstorm potential solutions as needed.

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Vo-Tech Day

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, We The People

Vo-Tech Day

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students research a variety of vo-tech institutes and programs in their region. While they conduct their research, students fill out worksheets, taking notes on program degrees, benefits, etc. Then, they reconvene as a whole group for discussion.

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Writing the News

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Writing the News

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Youth learn the process of writing for a newspaper by learning about types of articles, exploring article elements, and writing their own articles.

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MLB Players STEM League Lesson 4: Building Your Lineup

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Leadership and Teamwork

MLB Players STEM League Lesson 4: Building Your Lineup

Learn Fresh

3 - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Discover Activity

In My Shoes (Grades 9-12)

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

In My Shoes (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students write a fictional first-person narrative from someone else's perspective. Students may choose someone they know personally or research a subject from the past or present.

Discover Activity

What Is Media? (Grades 3-5)

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

What Is Media? (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Target Quest (Grades 6-8)

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives

Target Quest (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students work in small groups to measure and construct 2-dimensional figures to match a target shape.

Discover Activity

Storybook Yoga

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

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.

Discover Activity

What Does the Design Tell Us?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

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.

Discover Activity

Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 3

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

Functional Fitness Week 10: Day 3

Active Kids and Minds

K - 8

40 Minutes

Discover Activity

A News Show Structure: Design My News Hour

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

A News Show Structure: Design My News Hour

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Discover Activity

Back-to-Back Drawings

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

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.

Discover Activity

Children in World War II

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Children in World War II

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Floating STEM Platforms (Team Building) Game

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Leadership and Teamwork

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!

Discover Activity

Professional Habits

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Belonging and Community

Professional Habits

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Farm to Table 5: Prototype Naming

Arts in Action, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Farm to Table 5: Prototype Naming

OregonASK

6 - 8

30 Minutes

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

Discover Activity

What Is Bias?

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

What Is Bias?

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour

Discover Activity

Create Your Own Ending

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Create Your Own Ending

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Two Truths and a Lie (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Two Truths and a Lie (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

55 Minutes

Discover Activity

Communicating at Work

Leadership and Teamwork, Future Ready: Learning and Earning

Communicating at Work

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Finding Underreported Stories

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Finding Underreported Stories

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour

Discover Activity

Park Design Project

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Park Design Project

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 25 Minutes

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

Discover Activity

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

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

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

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

STEM Identity

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives

STEM Identity

Foundations, Inc.

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Enjoy bringing out the importance of careful observation, drawing, and note taking with this yummy activity! Students will think critically, stay engaged, and even get a little silly!

Discover Activity

Sustainable Fishing

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Sustainable Fishing

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 12

1 Hour

Discover Activity

Giant Scrabble

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Giant Scrabble

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Generational Angst

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Generational Angst

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

2 Hours

Discover Activity

Write Your Representative

We The People, Belonging and Community

Write Your Representative

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students select a local issue that affects their community. Then they draft, finalize, and send a letter to their representative asking for a particular action to address the issue.

Discover Activity

Talk Show—High School Style

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Talk Show—High School Style

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students stage their own talk shows. Each group presents their talk show, with 1 student acting as host to 3 guests.

Discover Activity

Reviewing and Writing a Blog

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Reviewing and Writing a Blog

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Book Design (Grades K-2)

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Book Design (Grades K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Children look at and discuss art depicting foods and then illustrate a foldable book presenting their favorite foods.

Discover Activity

History of Flight

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, We The People

History of Flight

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn about the Wright Brothers and early plane designs.

Discover Activity

Are We Contributing to or Reducing Runoff?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Are We Contributing to or Reducing Runoff?

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Youth learn about runoff and how spaces are designed to contribute to or reduce runoff.

Discover Activity

Play Classic Gym Games

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

Play Classic Gym Games

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Race and Justice

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Race and Justice

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

Student Reporting Labs wants to hear from teens at this moment.

Discover Activity

Tree Count Activity

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Tree Count Activity

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour

This is activity 2 of 3 in the "Sustainable Cities" module from City Parks Foundation.

Discover Activity

DIY Playing Card

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

DIY Playing Card

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

What Do Lawyers Do?

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, We The People

What Do Lawyers Do?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students read online sources about 4 fields of the law—and learn about a lawyer who became a politician.

Discover Activity

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork, We The People

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

50 Minutes

This is the second of two activities in the Innovator Trading Card Collection:

Activity 1 focuses on the theme of the week, learning about the innovators and their influence, and designing the innovator trading cards.
Activity 2 focuses on facilitating the associated game to reinforce learning.

Discover Activity

Desert Scavenger Hunt

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Desert Scavenger Hunt

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Listen to Your Partner

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

Listen to Your Partner

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Present in Slides

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Present in Slides

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

More Tools Are Better Than One

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

More Tools Are Better Than One

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

The News Today

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

The News Today

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will analyze the structure of the daily newspaper, and then collaborate to write a newspaper edition of their own.

Discover Activity

Animal Antics

The Natural World, Arts in Action

Animal Antics

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

30 Minutes

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 9-12)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Building Canoes

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Building Canoes

OregonASK

6 - 12

1 Hour 15 Minutes

In this activity, students learn to engineer a canoe out of popsicle sticks and other everyday materials.

Discover Activity

Interview Role Play

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Belonging and Community

Interview Role Play

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Rubber Band Battle (Team Building) Game

Leadership and Teamwork, Belonging and Community

Rubber Band Battle (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

6 - 12

15 Minutes

Get ready for a battle of the "bands". Take aim as you "stretch" your skills by knocking down your opponents structures!

Discover Activity

Aquarium Day

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Aquarium Day

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Students make a model touch pool after learning about animal life at an aquarium.

Discover Activity

Who Wins, Who Loses?

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

Who Wins, Who Loses?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

New End to the Story

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

New End to the Story

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Meet Abraham Lincoln!

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Meet Abraham Lincoln!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

How Has Climate Change Occurred Over Time?

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

How Has Climate Change Occurred Over Time?

The Nature Conservancy

9 - 12

1 Hour

Students use kinesthetic movements and temporal experiences to understand research on how Earth’s climate changes.

Discover Activity

Improv: Say the Line

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Improv: Say the Line

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

How to Remember Names (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Leadership and Teamwork

How to Remember Names (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students practice memory strategies to remember others' names (or fictitious names) and play a game to see how many names they can remember.

Discover Activity

Functional Fitness Week 4: Day 3

Whole Body, Whole Self, Leadership and Teamwork

Functional Fitness Week 4: Day 3

Active Kids and Minds

K - 8

40 Minutes

Discover Activity

Canada Tourism Bureau

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Canada Tourism Bureau

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students create a tourism slideshow presentation to promote the country of Canada.

Discover Activity

Design a Video Game

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Design a Video Game

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Who Is Telling the Truth? (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Who Is Telling the Truth? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey

California Academy of Sciences

6 - 8

25 Minutes

Discover Activity

Interrupting Bias with Curiosity

Digital Voices, We The People

Interrupting Bias with Curiosity

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Discover Activity

Reclaiming Narratives: Creative Accounts of Black History

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Reclaiming Narratives: Creative Accounts of Black History

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

This activity is designed for two 45-minute periods or one 90-minute period.

Discover Activity

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by listening to a picture book. Then, students team-up to create their own books about Dr. King.

Discover Activity

Holistic Wellness Wheel

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Holistic Wellness Wheel

kid-grit

3 - 12

1 Hour

The HWW can be used throughout the kid-grit curriculum in any way you find it valuable. Some instructors use it once a week as a check in with students.

Note: The time required to complete the activity may vary depending on the age of students and how often it is completed.

Discover Activity

I’ve Got a Question!

Stories and Perspectives, We The People

I’ve Got a Question!

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Design a Pollinator Garden

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Design a Pollinator Garden

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

● Use plants that provide nectar and pollen sources;

● Be situated in sunny areas with windbreaks;

● Create “pollinator targets” of native and non-invasive plants;

● Establish continuous bloom throughout the growing season; and

● Eliminate or minimize the impact of pesticides.

Discover Activity

Seasonal Collages

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Seasonal Collages

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Children work in groups to create photo collages that represent a season. They discuss and compare their collages, and use them to describe seasonal changes.

Discover Activity

Do Not Sell My Personal Information (Grades 6-8)

Digital Voices, We The People

Do Not Sell My Personal Information (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Random Numbers (Team Building) Game

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Leadership and Teamwork

Random Numbers (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

K - 12

15 Minutes

The pressure is on you to locate numbers in order as fast as you can. You can "count" on other players feeling the stress as well!

Discover Activity

South America Scavenger Hunt

We The People, The Natural World

South America Scavenger Hunt

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Build Your Own Roller Coaster

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Build Your Own Roller Coaster

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students create their own roller coasters! Working in teams, students get as creative as they want to make the best roller coasters.

Discover Activity

Quote Match (Grades 9-12)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Quote Match (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students find quotes from popular literature and then pool their quotes to play and compete in a quote matching game. This activity may inspire students to read new books.

Discover Activity

Hidden Advertising

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Hidden Advertising

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students will analyze "advertorials," ads that appear as if they are news stories or entertainment articles but are, in fact, selling a product.

Discover Activity

Homework: Too Much or Just Enough?

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Homework: Too Much or Just Enough?