The reason for the seasons
Understanding why the earth has seasons is one of the most difficult concepts for middle school students to understand. This publication provides resources to help teachers uncover their students misconceptions about the seasons.
Chemistry: making it real
The resources selected for this publication will help your students understand chemistry at work, using examples that will spark their interest. A basic understanding of chemistry concepts and terminology will prepare them for more abstract studies.
Math Activity Themes: Bats
Bats are a common theme at Halloween. Use these resources to capitalize on student interest in bats and develop student understanding of common mathematical patterns.
Genetically Inherited Traits
Students will explore heredity by examining how traits are passed from parent to offspring. An understanding of genetic terminology will be gained and examples of inherited traits identified. Calculating genetic probability with Punnett Squares will also be investigated.
Genres in Literature
Students will utilize several handheld applications to gain a better understanding of the term “genre” and how it relates to the various literature selections they experience as readers.
Getting to Know Numbers
Using the Handheld Computer to get students understanding the math concepts of a calendar (days of the week and months of the year), odd/even numbers, and numbers before and after (you know +1 –1 +5 – 5 that kind of stuff).
Palms and Literature
Students will use a variety of Palm applications to enhance their comprehension and understanding of the Civil War through the literature selection Charley Skedaddle. They will also work on building vocabulary.
The Hero Connection: From Beowulf to Batman
After reading "Beowulf," students will identify Beowulf's heroic traits, generalize from these traits a list of typical traits for heroes, and then use these traits to compare Beowulf with contemporary heroes. As a culminating activity, students will define their concept of hero and then create a booklet ...
Escapes
This lesson will help students become more understanding of cultural differences. Students will analyze the theme of escape in two poems. They will recognize and record literary elements found in the poems and connect the poems to life in a meaningful way.
Setting and Symbolism in A Doll's House
This lesson is designed as a follow-up to the reading and discussion of the play "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen. An understanding of the two literary terms setting and symbolism, and their impact on a work of literature, are essential to students' success in following the guidelines outlined in the ...
Story Tellers and Poets
Students will examine the style, purpose, and organization of folktales and poetry in order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of both genres. With this knowledge, students will use the word choice and repetition of traditional folktales to transform them into modern poetry.
The Jet Set: Alonzo King
Choreographer Alonzo King has created contemporary ballets for more than fifty international dance companies as well as dozens of pieces for film, television, opera and his own company, LINES Ballet. This Educator Guide tracks the history of modern-contemporary ballet and the contributions of King and ...
Transplanting a Tradition: Li Huayi
Li Huayi, a painter of propaganda posters during the Cultural Revolution, reinvigorate the centuries-old tradition of Chinese landscape painting with his own, wholly contemporary vision. This Educator Guide explores the Chinese Cultural Revolution and Landscape Painting as well as contemporary painting.
Up from the Street: Tommy Guerrero
SPARK meets Tommy Guerrero, world famous street skateboarder and musician, whose music evokes the sounds and rhythms of San Francisco. This Educator Guide is about street culture in San Francisco, including skateboarding and its culture, as well as contemporary, instrumental music.
Works on Paper: Julie Chen
SPARK watches book artist Julie Chen work in her print shop, Flying Fish Press as she and her assistant, Mary Chadwick create up to 100 editions of a book each year. This Educator Guides explores the history of the book from scrolls through the contemporary artists book.
Percussion: San Francisco Taiko Dojo
SPARK follows Sensei Seiichi Tanaka and Taiko Dojo as they prepare for the 36th annual International Taiko Festival at Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall. This Educator Guide is about the history and traditions of the ancient art of Taiko drumming in Japan and the contemporary innovations of a global music culture.
Refugee: From Phnom Penh to San Francisco
The film "Refugee" follows three young Cambodian American men on their journey to Cambodia to find family members. This lesson challenges students to examine historical and contemporary topics from multiple perspectives.
What Experience Teaches: Anna Halprin
SPARK follows dance legend Anna Halprin, who at 85 years old continues to perform and create dances within the Bay Area and beyond. This Educator Guide introduces students to modern, postmodern, and contemporary dance, as well as to different applications for dance outside the field.
Improving Understanding and Collaboration among First Responders
This unique training addresses the institutional culture of five responder groups: law enforcement, EMS, fire, public health, and private security in an attempt at fostering understanding among these groups
What is Matter?
Our understanding of atoms has been formed through decades of experimentation. In this activity, students learn about the historical developments of atomic theory while labeling the new discoveries.
