Students will explore how changes in rocks and land formations over time explain the large number of aquatic fossils that can be found across the state of Alabama. They will model volcanic eruptions and fossil formation through a hands-on activity using baking soda, vinegar, and playdough. Then they will read a news article to determine that Alabama was underwater at one time, which explains how aquatic fossils are found across the state. Finally, they will write and illustrate an explanation that shows how layers and fossils found in rock are evidence that these rocks changed over time. This lesson results from the ALEX Resource Gap Project.

This lesson will introduce and review different types of figurative language as well as adages and proverbs. It is important to be able to interpret their meanings when used in texts, songs, movies, life experiences, etc.  

This lesson will introduce and review different types of figurative language as well as adages and proverbs. It is important to be able to interpret their meanings when used in texts, songs, movies, life experiences, etc.  

During this seminar you will be exposed to the last of the figurative language types (hyperbole,  exaggeration, adage and proverb).  This seminar is unique because depending where you research will affect how you perceive them.  Some sites express them as different;  hyperboles vs. exaggerations  and adages vs. proverbs.  On the other hand, some websites view them as one and the same.  A hyperbole is a type of exaggeration and an adage is a type of proverb.  Regardless of how you view them, the most important piece of this seminar is to be able to interpret their meanings when used in texts, songs, movies, life experiences, etc. StandardsCC.1.2.5.F  Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in grade-level text, including interpretation of figurative language.

Students will work in collaborative groups to analyze and interpret research information from their previous reading assignment on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians. Next, students will use a graphic organizer to collect information needed to develop and write a five paragraph expository essay on the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians. Finally, students will present their expository essay to the class. This unit was created as part of the ALEX Interdisciplinary Resource Development Summit.

In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, students learn about the unique environment of southern Florida's Everglades and gain insights into the interrelatedness of living things, nonliving things, and climate.

This lesson will include a study of several primary sources that detail the 1918 flu epidemic and how it affected a variety of people in Alabama (ELA2015(6)32). Students will work in small groups to study different primary sources and will complete graphic organizers specific to the type of primary source. Groups will then share their information with the class and discuss how the flu affected different populations of Alabama. The focus and outcomes of this lesson will meet the Social Studies standard (SS2010(6)) by allowing the students to describe civilian roles during WWI and recognizing the military bases in Alabama. This lesson was created in partnership with the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, students learn how the forces of gravity and air resistance affect the motion of falling objects.

This lesson increases student knowledge of severe weather and weather forecasting. It emphasizes the importance of student questioning to obtain information. After the introduction to severe weather is made, students will create their own Tornado in a Bottle, and use this exploration to make further connections. This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.

The Fractured Fairy Tale tool encourages students to create their own fractured fairy tales.

Instructional expert Jim Knight visits John Cusick to observe a small groups project and discuss the classroom management techniques he is using. John and Jim discuss structured lessons, giving students respect, and finding the key to unlocking their love of learning.

This lesson will introduce and review different types of figurative language as well as adages and proverbs. It is important to be able to interpret their meanings when used in texts, songs, movies, life experiences, etc.  

The books selected for this list complement articles in the issue of Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle that introduce the concepts of water availability and of extreme weather conditions. In nonfiction and fiction, the books for Grades K-5 emphasize that freshwater is a limited resource and explain how and why extreme weather events occur.

This video segment, adapted from NOVA, chronicles the education of leading chemist Percy Julian. Although Julian began his elementary school years in the Deep South under Jim Crow laws, he became one of the few African Americans of his time to earn a Ph.D.

Learn about the lives of gorillas born in captivity in this video segment from Nature.

During this lesson, students will research the social, political, and economic impact of the Great Depression on the lives of Alabamians. Students will collaborate to create a presentation from the project-based learning activity and present it to the class. This unit was created as part of the ALEX Interdisciplinary Resource Development Summit.

Engage students in testing their knowledge of circuits in this delightful dissection. Students will apply science practices and content knowledge while conducting hands-on and digital/print research and writing. The actual "dissection" does not take very long, but the writing components can be extended if desired. This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.

In this five part series, see all the pieces that come together for guided reading in Jenna Ogiers classroom. Students learn to work independently and rotate through stations, while Ms. Ogier meets with small groups of students and delivers a lesson at their level.