I’m testing the share my lesson site, in particular, the friending feature. I’ve friended some people that I know but was hoping that some of you who are planning to join the site  or are already there would friend me. (If you’re doing common core, it is a must join to get free resources and lesson plans aligned to common core.) This is the sister site to the TES site out of the UK that I’ve been using for some time now and if you have a profile there, just log in with that and accept the terms to move things over. If you uploaded to the TES site, you’ll want to move over those resources. Thanks for helping me test it.  Full disclosure, I’ve been doing work for TES and share my lesson for some time now. As you can tell, I do love what they are doing and their passion to help teachers mobilize and organize their own free content to share with others. the TES site uses the UK system and standards and now they’ve done the same thing in the US. Thanks for helping me test. (I would also appreciate someone sending me a message to see if that works too and you can message me any feedback and I’ll pass it along.) http://bit.ly/NdlZ0k

Use the Monty Python galaxy song to teach about space. This is a link to a PowerPoint for teachers to download and use. This would be a fun way to talk about space (and to introduce kids to this iconic group of comics.)

This is a “heartwarming” Algebra activity. Why is it heartwarming? Because many times in this “21st century” we forget that many schools don’t have access to technology. Even if we do, bodily kinesthetic learning and using manipulatives is a powerful way to teach. (Click through for the Algebra introduction using colored paperclips that was tested in Nepal and includes a video of how it was used.)

Are you talking about body image with students? I love how Peggy Sheehy has students create their “ideal person” in a virtual world to talk about it but few of us have that kind of time. Here is a one hour lesson from Media Smart that introduces the role that media and advertising play in body image including powerpoints and handouts. This is an excellent topic for the end of the school year before summer vacation. I also think it is important to balance body image with the importance of healthy practices. If someone is unhealthy they need to be encouraged to improve their health without feeling like a loser for being in that state. After a month on different types of steroids to help me with my ears, I”m teetering a little high on the scale too but I have to respect myself and work to be healthy without feeling like a total loser for drifting up on the scale again. Talk body image with students - ESPECIALLY girls, although I’ve read that boys are now feeling the impact in this area too.

Shakespeare was born and died on the same day. He is certainly an important author, although by no means, the only author. It is important, however, to be well educated to be aware of this author and his major plays as there are so many references to it in life. This links to many lesson plans by grade level about this important author.

A great question developed from an award winning website. You can integrate this into what you may have already been doing around the Titanic. This is a “court case” and can be used to teach about the judicial process and hold a mock trial. I love this idea.

This question peeked your curiosity didn’t it? It is an example of a great way to start a lesson, with a question. In this example Geometry lesson plan, the teacher asks if giants can really exist. The investigation uses volume and surface area as well as ration and weight. There are some films referenced as well. 

By having a powerful question, relation to pop culture (like films) and encouraging students to seek answers, you can have a powerful experience.

Think how this can be used in other subjects and in other ways. Can you design or share your inquiry based lesson?