Moving the Plot With Dialogue

In this seminar, you’ll learn about dialogue, including how writers use it to “move” their stories along. As a narrator, you will practice using dialogue, which will help you understand how people involved in conflict interact genuinely. Some lines of dialogue will be longer than others; there’s a reason for that. Some narratives have very little dialogue; there’s a reason for that. Ultimately, you will continue to analyze the perspectives of characters (people) in a narrative setting to better understand the human condition and how their voices contribute to it. This seminar will require innovation on your part, as you will not only learn terminology associated with dialogue, but also put those devices into action as you create your own (mini) narrative with characters who interact.StandardsCC.1.4.9-10.MWrite narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events.CC.1.4.9-10.NEngage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple points of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters.CC.1.4.9-10.PCreate a smooth progression of experiences or events using a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole; provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. 

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Tracy Rains

Persuasive Techniques in the Media

The media has one job: to sell you something. That something could be a product, such as a new cell phone, or it could be something less tangible, like a belief or a value. Depending on the TV shows you watch, the internet sites you visit, or the highways you drive on, the media will try different ways to convince you to buy or buy into something. Knowing the techniques the media uses will help you to think for yourself and make thoughtful decisions about the products and ideas being “sold” to you. In this seminar, you will strive to accurately identify the ways in which the media persuades you. You might not grasp the persuasion at first, but as you complete the tasks in this seminar and, especially, analyze the perspectives of those trying to sell you ideas or products, you will become better at identifying the persuasive tactics of the media and, in turn, be able to make sensible decisions accordingly.StandardsCC.1.2.9-10.DDetermine an author’s particular point of view and analyze how rhetoric advances the point of view.CC.1.2.9-10.HDelineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing the validity of reasoning and relevance of evidence.CC.1.2.9-10.FAnalyze how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: Bonnie Waltz, Deanna Mayers, Tracy Rains

Mathematically Productive Instructional Routines (MPIR)

Mathematically Productive Instructional Routines (MPIR) are short (10ish minutes), daily exercises aimed at building number sense. These six different MPIR are part of the Mathematically Productive Instructional Routines collection from the Washington Office of Public Instruction and the Washington Association of Educational Service Districts.

Material Type: Teaching/Learning Strategy

Authors: Barbara Soots, Washington OSPI OER Project, Washington OSPI Mathematics Department

The Physics of Pool

The objective of this lesson is to illustrate how a common everyday experience (such as playing pool) can often provide a learning moment. In the example chosen, we use the game of pool to help explain some key concepts of physics. One of these concepts is the conservation of linear momentum since conservation laws play an extremely important role in many aspects of physics. The idea that a certain property of a system is maintained before and after something happens is quite central to many principles in physics and in the pool example, we concentrate on the conservation of linear momentum. The latter half of the video looks at angular momentum and friction, examining why certain objects roll, as opposed to slide. We do this by looking at how striking a ball with a cue stick at different locations produces different effects.

Material Type: Lecture

Author: Joseph A. Formaggio

Elementary Math - Grade 3

CK-12's Elementary Math Grade 3 is a series of videos and interactive videos designed to teach basic math concepts to 3rd graders. Concepts covered include Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Place Value, Decimals, Time, Factors and Multiples, Money, Measurement, and Geometry.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Interactive, Lecture

Leaf Photosynthesis

This NetLogo model of leaf photosynthesis shows the macroscopic outcome of the reaction.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Data Set, Lecture Notes, Simulation

Author: The Concord Consortium

The Angle on Pool

Find out how angles and symmetry come into play in the game of pool in this video adapted from Annenberg Learner’s Learning Math: Measurement.

Material Type: Lesson

Authors: U.S. Department of Education, WGBH Educational Foundation

Physical and Chemical Changes Demo & Reflection

Students will oberve nine systems performed by the instructor.  They will then use the four indications of a chemcal change to determine if each system represents a physical or chemical change.  Students will reflect on their learning using the thinking routine - I Used to Think... Now I Think.  

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Brenda Bush-Hanson

Genetic Disorder Research/PowerPoint Slide Project

Students will use effective research skills to find and select appropriate information to create a "poster" to inform others about a genetic disorder.  They will use their research to create a single PowerPoint slide to be used as a poster or fact sheet that presents information about the genetic disorder they select.  The slide will be graded on the information presented, neatness, and legibility.  Students will then share their research in a Gallery Walk to learn about the genetic disorders researched by their classmates.  As they read/listen to the information presented for each project, they will take notes and provide comments.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Homework/Assignment

Author: Brenda Bush-Hanson

Testing pH in Household Substances (Predict-Gather-Explain)

Students will investigate the pH level of household substances by testing a variety of common compounds. Substances are tested with pH paper and placed on the continuum of the pH scale range of 1 to 14. After testing a solution, the student compares the strip color to the scale provided on the container and gives the solution a rating from 1-14. Using the determined number, the name of the solution is placed on the continuum. Students will find that household substances have a specific pH property which is a characteristic needed for the substance's use. 

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Brenda Bush-Hanson

Bloom's Taxonomy

Vanderbilt University's Center for Teaching provides this version of Bloom's taxonomy along with the types of knowledge used in cognition. This is a page that is part of a larger resource that includes multiple resources for educators. While designed for college instructors, this and other resources may be beneficial to educators at all levels.

Material Type: Teaching/Learning Strategy

Author: Patricia Armstrong