Classroom

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan May 30 2017

Lesson plan: Invent an app that helps your community

Design an app that helps your community, modeled after young entrepreneurs in California's rural Salinas Valley

Lesson Plan February 01 2017

Lesson plan: Invent your own device to battle invasive species

Stunning fish who were once kept as pets are destroying Florida’s coral reef ecosystem. In this PBS NewsHour lesson plan, students will learn how scientists are using a new invention, a lionfish zapping robot, to combat this harmful invasive species. They will then create their own invention to ward off invasive species in their community or region.

Lesson Plan November 01 2016

Know Your Vote, Know the Issues

Every election year and for years after elections, there are several major issues that persistently trouble Americans. Every election year, politicians pledge that they will address these issues, and nearly every year they fall short of many peoples’ expectations. In this lesson, we examine problems surrounding health care costs, funding higher education and preserving social security. Then, students look at how the current presidential candidates are proposing to address these issues, and formulate a short media presentation.

Lesson Plan October 03 2016

Student Reporting Labs: Talking trash and your environment

Use this PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs video, "California community works to protect oc…

Lesson Plan September 24 2016

Debating Our Destiny: Do Presidential Debates Matter?

Watch video clips from PBS NewsHour’s “Debating Our Destiny” with Jim Lehrer, which includes famous debate moments as well as interviews with the candidates themselves

Lesson Plan August 31 2016

Pokémon and privacy issues your students should know

Are there privacy issues that teachers and students should be aware of?

Lesson Plan June 10 2016

Inventions: How do innovation and design help people with disabilities?

Learn about the role of inventions in improving accessibility for people with disabilities and create a paper or cardboard prototype of their own invention