Achievery and Connectivity Learning Resources
Instructional Resources K-8
Click on the title to access the lesson. A short explanation has been provided that outlines the lesson activities.
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Triangles to Tetrahedra
Grades K-2
This lesson crosses dimensions! At least the second and third dimensions. Students learn how to turn marshmallows, triangles, and teamwork into one sweet three-dimensional tetrahedral build. Building on that, they learn the connections between inventions, engineering, and mathematics. They’ll watch some helpful friends and play Shape Invasion online. Can they match the shapes in time? Extend the learning with the Lego Movie and geometry.
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Roots Shoots and Stems
Grades 3-5
A root is not just a root. Students dig deep as they design, build, and test to find the most effective root system to get a grip on some sandy soil. Then they’ll go from root to tip with water as it defies gravity and then watch it walk! Catch your breath (and a plant’s) before discovering that the world’s largest river is up in the sky (and it flies!) Stalk some science and follow the clues to solve the mystery of what transpired in the celery! Take it further by having students determine how to put a stop to topsoil erosion, learn more about Earth, figure out their own roots, and Feed the Fidgits in a fun online game.
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What Do Feelings Sound Like?
Grades 3-5
Sometimes, it can be difficult for kids to put how they feel into words—so why not try sound effects? Students explore emotions, identify a wide range of feelings, and put theirs all into a poem made of sounds. Word sounds, that is. Then they expand those poems into slam poetry. It’s brief, it’s powerful, and it’s a lot of fun. Then shake things up with some fun games to see if they’ve got the feeling or at least can spot it like a Feelings Detective.
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Can You Believe Your Eyes?
Grades 3-8
Have you ever spotted the North American House Hippo? Students determine if seeing really is believing in this fun series of activities. Next, they test their skills on TED to see if they fall for the fallacies that fooled a generation of doctors, get tricked by a troll, or slide down the slippery slope. Finally, they’ll test their tastebuds and determine just how powerful branding can be on a brain.
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Diggin’ History: Dinosaurs
Grades 3-8
A mysterious package from Dr. P.H. Toric on Fossil Island has arrived that sends your students off on a grand adventure. Dinosaurs won’t be the only ones roaring as students get hands-on with potential and kinetic energy and counterbalances, weight, and mass. Students learn the art of cartography, find out what it means to fossilize, and explore the history of paleontology. Dig in! Adventure awaits.
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Password Protected
Grades 4-12
We lock the doors to our houses and our cars, but how do we keep our most important things safe online? Students learn about cybersecurity and how to craft a password that will keep things locked down online. Then they’ll play Password, follow the clues, and unlock what’s written behind them. Fun extensions follow with the NOVA Cybersecurity Lab, TED, and more.
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Groovy Garbage
Grades 5-8
One man’s trash is another person’s … tambourine? That may not be how the old saying goes, but it’s one way this lesson goes as students recycle old things into new musical instruments of their own design. They’ll explore why you should never play music next to a zoo, be inspired by other kids who play in a ‘landfillharmonic,’ practice pitch with straws, and learn a bit about surfing sound waves. There’s even more to explore with The String Family, Singing Science, and a man who can make music with just about anything. And a one, a two, a three…let’s play!
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Another Side of the Story
Grades 6-8
The protagonist is the main character in a narrative, so they often get all the attention. But, what about the side characters? Even the villains? Shouldn’t they get to tell their tale? Students explore both sides of the story through books and activities, debate who and what is right, and craft their own twisted tales of fun from a whole new perspective.
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Another Side of the Story
Grades 6-8
The protagonist is the main character in a narrative, so they often get all the attention. But, what about the side characters? Even the villains? Shouldn’t they get to tell their tale? Students explore both sides of the story through books and activities, debate who and what is right, and craft their own twisted tales of fun from a whole new perspective.
6-12
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Brainiacs!
Grades 7-12
Forty years ago, we seemed to know more about the Moon than we did about how our brains work and grow. Not anymore! Students get hands-on (and in!) as they make brains, tour the brain, and discover that left brain vs. right brain might just be a myth. They’ll put on their ‘thinking caps’ and see a mouse mind like it’s never been seen before and so much more.
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Mathmakers
Grades 9-12
Living in a two-dimensional world might have felt…a little flat. Thankfully, we have all three dimensions to play in. In this compilation of activities students explore those dimensions with some solid geometry, gain some net understanding, find out how one rescues a sword from a cone, and then take their skills and put them to work. They’ll get hands-on with geometry as they design and build a city that uses 2D and 3D, practicing both plane and solid geometry. This lesson won’t feel flat at all!
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The Write Way Forward
Grades 9-12
Students take a look at themselves in this reflective collection of activities. They’ll take a look at LinkedIn, put their resiliency on the page, write a logline, and craft a colorful self-portrait using more than words. They’ll realize a camera is a mirror and they’ll see themselves reflected, discover their ordinary lives are pretty extraordinary, and find out that a poet is hiding inside us all.
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Netiquette: Being Kind on and Offline
Grades K-3, 6-12
How do we act when we are on the Internet? Students explore their digital footprint. Every post has a ghost! They explore why kindness is important in both the real and digital worlds. Then they put their skills into practice with some fun games like Left, Right, Center Kindness and Is it Kind or is it Trash?
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Wingin’ It
Grades 5-12
Albert Einstein once said, “Failure is success in progress.” In this lesson students watch failure take flight. Students craft algorithms along with paper planes, try to out-engineer NASA’s engineers, and take paper airplane design to new heights. Then they take a Scratch at flying paper planes online.
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Ooey Gooey Physics
Grades K-12
'Shake and shake the catsup bottle. None will come, and then a lot'll.' If you’ve ever whacked the bottom of a ketchup bottle to get that tasty tomato goop flowing, you’ve put some serious physics to work. Ketchup is a non-Newtonian fluid. Turns out a few other things are too. Students experiment with ketchup and that most famous non-Newtonian fluid (hello oobleck) and get a handle on why when you mix cornstarch and water, things get weird. They’ll also get their fingers on their keyboards and some slime with fun digital games. Things might get silly after that as they compare and contrast recipes for a rather silly kind of putty or two.
OSY
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Body Building Vocabulary
OSY
Students picture, practice, and play with body words in this interactive unit. Knowing body vocabulary allows students to communicate their needs in a variety of situations and understand others. For example, knowing the word “head” helps them to ask for a headache remedy. Understanding the word “arm” allows them to request help when lifting something heavy.
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Do This! Not That!
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Instructions and basic commands may seem like a trivial part of English, but they are extremely important. Directing and reacting correctly to others in a conversation is an essential skill for anyone. Just think how often someone tells you what to do! Giving and understanding directions helps with daily navigation, confidence, & independence. In this lesson guide students practice their skills with Paper, Rock, Scissors, ESL; learn prepositions of place; get bossy (in a good way) as they practice telling someone else exactly what to do; and try to grab first place in a vocabulary race.
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Getcha All Fixed Up
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Knowing basic car parts in English can be a lifesaver when something goes wrong and students have to make the call for help. Students listen, learn, and roleplay as they explore vehicle-related vocabulary from axels to zenuts in a variety of activities. They'll learn what it takes to be an auto tech and how to describe if there's a leak from their brakes.
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Going Places
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Are you going in the right direction? It’s hard to know sometimes. Especially when you can’t read the signs! This lesson helps students find out what ‘buckle up’ means, helps them figure out the right track; follow the signs; look, listen, and learn; play some games; and arrive at their destination without getting lost. It’s a road trip worth taking.
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Hello! Hello!
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Greetings are the foundation of social interactions. They serve as the first impression we make on others and set the tone for further communication. Students practice meeting and greeting, make small talk, and play games that will get them chattering and laughing. As an extension, they’ll get even more to talk about as they explore their interests and share what they learn.
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Practical(ly) Dreaming
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People might talk of doing something different or finishing a degree but how do they get there? What’s the path of practical steps that puts a sturdy foundation under castles in the air? In this lesson students get to know themselves a bit better and find examples of people who used grit and a lot of determination to reach their dreams. They’ll explore programs and pathways and make plans that will put their dreams within reach.
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Voracious Vocabulary
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Are students hungry for learning? They might be after this lesson! Food is an important part of culture and life. Knowing the names of foods can provide students with the language skills and vocabulary they need in everyday situations. Students swap, shop, listen, and learn as they explore vocabulary related to food in their fridge, at the store, and even in restaurants. Hungry yet?
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What’s Your Emergency?
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In high-stress or emotional situations, all language skills can vanish into thin air. Knowing how to report an emergency is essential for all levels of students, so this lesson guide is designed to help you equip your students with communication skills for any situation. Students follow along with 911, listen in to roadside requests, play switchboard switcheroo, and practice seeing and hearing a word or two.
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Workin’ On Vocabulary
OSY
In this ESL unit students gain conversation skills to use in interviews, job applications, meetings, and while on the job. They'll follow the clues to the jobs people do, picture new words, role play, practice interviews, and learn how to ace an application. Then they can build on new skills, determine their path, and learn how important a mentor can be.