Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning
Participants engage in activities to explore strategies that can increase the intentional use of student choice by bridging content and student interest. These strategies provide opportunities for students to feel they have some control or ownership in their learning environment, which can make learning... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: February 10th, 2021
In this session, participants will reinforce their understanding of authentic teaching and learning using the instructional strategy QC2E (question, claim, evidence, and explanation). They also will work in content areas to create meaningful questions related to their disciplines. Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: November 30th, 2021
In this professional development session, participants will engage in embedded instructional strategies that will allow them to examine the criteria for authentic assessments. Participants also will explore connections between the “why's” and “how's” of creating and using rubrics for authentic assessment... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: November 4th, 2021
This professional development session will showcase the use of the RAFT (role, audience, format, and topic) instructional strategy. The RAFT strategy supports the components of authenticity, deepening content knowledge and construction of knowledge (higher-order thinking). Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: November 11th, 2021
In this session, participants will be given a menu of instructional strategies to "taste test." Each of these strategies is research-based and supports components of authenticity. Once strategies have been chosen, the session will be built around a three-course meal of participants' chosen strategies.... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: November 10th, 2021
This professional development session focuses on the components of authentic learning. Participants will connect the components of authentic learning to a Rumpelstiltskin lesson. Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: November 8th, 2021
This professional development is designed to promote a college going culture (life post-secondary school). College culture is typically thought of as a four year university, but it is really what comes after high school. As educators we must prepare our students to think of their future. Career Cafés... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: December 15th, 2021
This session will model authentic, inquiry-based strategies and connect research to the benefits of student engagement. Participants will discuss the strategies they use to engage their students and will create a document to house these strategies for future faculty reference and collaboration. Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: November 4th, 2021
In this professional development session, participants discover how various instructional strategies can be used as authentic tools to create and facilitate student-centered lessons with the 5E Instructional Model. Individually, participants will choose a component of the 5E Instructional Model (Engage,... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: November 10th, 2021
The Interactive Classrooms in Social Studies (Short Version) 90-minute professional development focuses on exploring multiple technology applications to determine how they can be applicable for use in the Social Studies classroom. Participants will explore various tech applications, choose at least... Read more »
Created by: Chelsee Wilson
Date Updated: September 14th, 2020
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of embedded literacy through the modeling of interdisciplinary instructional strategies. Participants are asked to: a) evaluate five components of literacy, b) explore various strategies for embedding literacy in various subject areas, and c) reflect upon... Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: November 13th, 2020
The "Reading Realities: Using E-Readers to Engage and Support Students' Critical Reading Skills" professional development focuses on using Kindle e-readers and Google Expeditions to support student reading engagement. Research suggests that students are more eager to read when using an e-reader or mobile... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: September 14th, 2020
Meeting students where they are can seem like a daunting task, particularly when it comes to the ever-changing world of technology. However, using intentionally designed games can make learning fun, provide opportunities for critical thinking, and enhance knowledge related to mindset. Participants will... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: September 14th, 2020
The "Embedded Literacy Across the Disciplines (2019)" professional development focuses on defining and promoting literacy strategies across all subject areas. Participants will examine how literacy components are necessary for their subject areas, identify the specific literacy strategies appropriate... Read more »
Created by: Keristy Nieto
Date Updated: September 14th, 2020
Classroom climate has a strong impact on student learning. Not only does a positive environment impact students, it also positively impacts the teacher. In this session, teachers will explore resources to develop a positive learning environment and engage in collaboration to apply to their classroom. Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: September 9th, 2022
This session provides an overview for staff at site recipients of 2018 GEAR UP projects. Through a series of activities, staff will be introduced to the K20 Center, understand what GEAR UP is, share the value of authentic teaching and learning, and also communicate the value of college-going culture. Read more »
Created by: Jane Baber
Date Updated: November 9th, 2021
The Simulations and Models in Math and Science Conversations professional development session enables participants to apply research-based practices to support the use of simulations and models in the curriculum. Participants learn how to use simulations and models in classroom instruction and design... Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: September 14th, 2020
This session explores the use of Google Apps through Google Drive. Participants will learn how to create, share, edit, and review different types of documents through Google Docs, Slides, and Forms. Participants will develop skills and apply the use of Google Apps for Education in their classrooms. Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: September 14th, 2020
The G Suite and Google Classroom PD focuses on exploring online instruction and implementation of technology in the classroom by using this innovative collaboration and productivity tools. Participants will collaborate to explore various components of G Suite, including Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms,... Read more »
Created by: Chelsee Wilson
Date Updated: September 14th, 2020
Participants in this activity immerse themselves in the K20 LEARN website and design process. Working with a peer collaborator, they complete the planning, design, and development stages of lesson building, and at the conclusion of the activity their lesson will be published. Read more »
Created by: Lindsey Link
Date Updated: July 27th, 2021
This professional development activity is designed to introduce participant educators to the components of project-based learning (PBL). The professional development immerses the participant in a mini-project based learning and then introduces the essential components. Participants are also given... Read more »
Created by: Susan McHale
Date Updated: December 18th, 2020
This Authenticity and Chromebooks professional development session focuses on the relationship of authentic instruction and technology implementation in the classroom. Participants will identify, analyze, and apply components of authenticity in lessons and activities to further their pedagogical knowledge. Read more »
Created by: Chelsee Wilson
Date Updated: October 21st, 2021
This professional development session, built on theoretical constructs SAMR and Authentic Teaching and Learning, engages participants in an overview of LEGO Mindstorms and a model activity for Mindstorms EV3. Participants can expect to be engaged in a hands-on experience where they will apply research-based... Read more »
Created by: Taylor Thurston
Date Updated: April 11th, 2022
Participants will develop a broader understanding of what makes real-world phenomena engaging, student-centered, relevant, and grade-appropriate. During this session, participants will explore the role of phenomena in lessons that may be delivered virtually or in blended learning environments. By centering... Read more »
Created by: Alonna Smith
Date Updated: January 14th, 2022
The Level Up for esports Professional Development Session will introduce the concept of esports clubs. Participants will explore resources and information on how esports clubs can promote college and career readiness, address potential challenges, and discover potential social/emotional benefits for... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Williams
Date Updated: August 24th, 2021
Workshop offered to all 10th to 12th-grade students interested in understanding the ACT and increasing their composite scores. Students engage in specific content through instructional strategies for seven two-hour ACT prep sessions. These research-based instructional strategy examples are designed... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: July 27th, 2021
Workshop offered to all 10th to 12th-grade students interested in understanding the ACT and increasing their composite scores. Students engage in specific content through instructional strategies for seven two-hour ACT prep sessions. These research-based instructional strategy examples are designed... Read more »
This professional development session applies research-based practices to support the use of educational technology (EdTech) in the classroom. Through exploring Scratch coding on a Raspberry Pi, 3D printing with TinkerCAD, and Swivl robots, participants will connect EdTech to science and engineering... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: October 27th, 2021
This two hour hybrid professional development focuses on increasing cohort teachers' knowledge of ISTE Educator and Student Standards. Participants will be able to explain the overall importance of the ISTE Standards, deconstruct and reflect upon each ISTE Standard, with the end goal of constructing... Read more »
Created by: Lindsey Link
Date Updated: October 8th, 2021
This professional learning session focuses on providing teachers with foundational knowledge and strategies they can use to promote student autonomy. Participants will explore research on best practices for self-regulated learning, analyze learner motivation, reflect on personal teaching styles, and... Read more »
Created by: Patricia McDaniels-Gomez
Date Updated: September 14th, 2021
This short professional development activity allows participants to interact with G Suite and the Explore button and identify its use in the classroom. Read more »
Created by: Chelsee Wilson
Date Updated: November 30th, 2021
This professional learning sessions focuses on providing teachers with foundational knowledge and strategies they can use to promote student autonomy. Participants will explore research on best practices for self-regulated learning, analyze learner motivation, reflect on personal teaching styles, and... Read more »
In this session, participants will explore authentic approaches to literacy and comprehension using literature circles and modernized role cards that fit the needs of today's ELA classroom. Read more »
Created by: Patricia McDaniels-Gomez
Date Updated: November 18th, 2021
This professional development session is the mathematics content-specific day of the Formative Assessment Institute. In this session, participants will learn what formative assessment looks like in a mathematics classroom and will create formative assessments to take back to their classrooms. Read more »
Created by: Lindsey Link
Date Updated: October 26th, 2021
This professional development session applies research-based practices to support the use of educational technology (EdTech) in the classroom.Through exploring Scratch coding on a Raspberry Pi, 3D printing with TinkerCAD, and Swivl robots, participants will connect EdTech to science and engineering... Read more »
Mathematics is sometimes perceived as one directional, but it doesn’t have to be. In this interactive professional development institute, participants will reflect upon what 'math' really is, how it looks and feels, and how intentional tasks can enhance overall understanding and critical thinking. Participants... Read more »
This interactive and collaborative professional development session examines the importance of supporting and developing students’ growth and mathematical mindset through the use of manipulatives. Participants will experience a model lesson exploring how mathematical thinking and conceptual understanding... Read more »
How can instructional strategies be modified and changed to fit classroom needs? In this interactive session, participants explore how the 3-2-1 instructional strategy is flexible enough to fit the needs of any content area. Read more »
Created by: Laura Halstied
Date Updated: March 2nd, 2022
This professional learning session will focus on how to incorporate a love of reading and student choice into all classes. Participants will explore a variety of authentic strategies that support reading comprehension, substantive conversations, and student choice to gain a deeper understanding that... Read more »
Created by: Patricia McDaniels-Gomez
Date Updated: February 16th, 2022
Be ready to move! Classroom practices that engage and maintain student interest while promoting student-centered learning and real-world connections are highlighted in this presentation. Participants will use Flipgrid technology to understand how students can communicate their learning in a new and... Read more »
Created by: Daniel Schwarz
Date Updated: May 31st, 2022
During this session, participants will practice formative assessment strategies that get students moving. They will walk, dance, vote, and debate their way to authentic learning experiences. Using multiple resources from the K20 LEARN website, participants will leave the session with easily customized... Read more »
Created by: Jared Whaley
Date Updated: March 10th, 2023
This lesson is to be used after students have reached the point in an application process that calls for a letter of recommendation. However, it can also be used to generate a generic recommendation letter that can later be revised for a specific purpose. Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: September 14th, 2020
In this College 2 Career Forum, students participate in a session about broadcasting and commentary in technology and gaming. Prior knowledge of commentary used in technology and gaming is gathered before students explore different types of commentary. Students discuss the qualities needed to hold a... Read more »
This workshop prepares student for the ACT test by utilizing several K20 Instructional Strategies. The workshop is designed to be an after-school program lasting for seven weeks and including one 2-hour session each week. Sessions will be broken up into reading/ELA and science/math. This resource provides... Read more »
Created by: Lindsay Hawkins
Date Updated: July 15th, 2022
High school is an excellent place for students to begin honing their research and writing skills. Practicing these skills enables students to become better writers and thinkers. This activity could easily apply to clubs that have a project component which may require research, such as robotics club... Read more »
Created by: Sherry Franklin
Date Updated: January 12th, 2023
Students will analyze President Lyndon B. Johnson's speech on voting rights. Students will also do a quick write regarding the current condition of voting rights in the United States using content from the speech and current events to substantiate their claims. Read more »
Created by: Milton Bowens
Date Updated: September 20th, 2022
Voting Rights
In this lesson, students will explore conservation of mechanical energy and the relationship that it has with work. Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: July 7th, 2022
Work and Energy
In this lesson, students will closely examine the social problems that emerged in American society as a result of industrialization. Students will interpret and evaluate primary sources from the early 20th Century to understand how photography and journalism exposed desperate social conditions and political... Read more »
Created by: Roger Jackson
Date Updated: September 9th, 2022
Key Figures in the Progressive Movement
In this lesson, students will explore, learn, and connect concepts of Intermolecular Forces (IMFs) to physical phenomena. Prerequisite knowledge would be that bonding exists (that is, there is continuum from non-polar covalent to ionic bonding) as well as the formation of ions and electron configuration.... Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: May 27th, 2022
Intermolecular Forces
This lesson encourages students to analyze immigration patterns and policies in the United States and explore some of the experiences of Asian immigrants. Students will analyze statements about immigration and decide whether they are always, sometimes, or never true, delve into the history of immigration... Read more »
Created by: David Paulson
Date Updated: September 7th, 2022
Teaching With Technology
This two-part lesson includes a variety of pre-reading activities to prepare students to actively read Shakespeare's tragedy, "Othello." Part 2 of this lesson involves predicting characters, settings, problems, and outcomes of the play. Moreover, students decide what else they would like to discover... Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: November 4th, 2022
Pre-Reading strategies
Comparing Congruent and Similar Triangles
Students will develop definitions of congruent and similar figures and use the definitions to find the missing sides and/or angles of congruent triangles. Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: August 10th, 2022
Comparing Congruent and Similar Triangles
In this lesson, students will use self-reflection to create a piece of descriptive writing. Students will use sensory details, organizational strategies, and the revision process to produce a short descriptive piece of writing. Read more »
Created by: Keristy Nieto
Date Updated: November 22nd, 2022
Creating and Editing Descriptive Writing
Students explore how different cultures have contributed to the United States of America. We are made of many, but we are one nation. Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: September 29th, 2020
Respect for Cultural Diversity
The students will engage in a lesson that explores speaking and listening in a variety of circumstances. Students will discover how successful speaking and listening can influence our discussions with other individuals and how it can affect the success and clarity in which we share information and ideas... Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: November 18th, 2022
Speaking and Listening
This lesson focuses on scaffolding the use of the Get a Life college and career simulation game in the classroom, specifically targeting career awareness in middle school students. Participants will play the game and experience classroom activities designed to process the gameplay and facilitate discussion... Read more »
Created by: William Thompson
Date Updated: November 2nd, 2021
In this lesson, students will investigate the qualitative characteristics of waves. The next lesson in this three-part series focuses on the quantitative characteristics of waves. Read more »
Created by: Danny Mattox
Date Updated: June 2nd, 2022
Qualitative Characteristics of Waves
Of all of the amazing skills that students possess, perhaps there is none greater than the ability to argue! Throw a grammar lesson in front of them, and most tune out immediately—the subject matter simply does not get them excited–-but tell your students that the goal for the day is to get into an... Read more »
Created by: K20 Center
Date Updated: November 17th, 2022
Grammar and Parts of Speech
Setting and Conflict
In this lesson, students experiment with changing the settings in well-known fairy tales and examine how conflict might change in a different setting. Students explore the Prologue from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and analyze how the setting affects the conflict. After analyzing and comparing different... Read more »
Created by: Shelby Blackwood
Date Updated: June 30th, 2022
Setting and Conflict
This lesson examines the phenomenon of coral bleaching as a context for learning about photosynthesis. Students investigate photosynthesis' inputs and outputs using an online simulation activity and connect these elements to the relationship between coral and their symbiotic algae. Student will also... Read more »
Created by: Heather Shaffery
Date Updated: October 28th, 2022
Photosynthesis and Coral Reef Health
In this lesson, students will learn about China’s Civil War from 1945-1949. Participating in a discussion about why people rebel against their governments, they will analyze an excerpt from an article about the life of peasants in China prior to the conflict under the Kuomintang rule and an article... Read more »
Created by: Laura Halstied
Date Updated: June 30th, 2022
China's Civil War
In this lesson, students use an online fossil database to explore changes in life forms throughout the history of life on Earth. Students also make predictions about environmental changes and how those changes affect organisms living in different environments. Students then analyze anatomical similarities... Read more »
Created by: Alonna Smith
Date Updated: August 10th, 2022
Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
In this lesson, students will engage in a hands-on learning activity centered around a geometric construct called a hexomino. Similar to the more familiar domino (with two squares fused together on a side), a hexomino consists of six squares fused together. Students will (1) use spatial reasoning skills... Read more »
Created by: Amber Stokes
Date Updated: June 17th, 2022
Area, Perimeter, Spatial Reasoning, and Patterns
Setting and Conflict
In this lesson, students will experiment with changing the setting in well-known fairy tales and will examine how the conflict would shift in the new setting. Students will explore the Prologue in Romeo and Juliet and analyze how the setting affects the conflict. Finally, students will rewrite their... Read more »
Setting and Conflict
Setting and Conflict
In this lesson, students will experiment with changing the setting in well-known fairy tales and will examine how the conflict would shift in the new setting. Students will explore the Prologue in Romeo and Juliet and analyze how the setting affects the conflict. Finally, students will rewrite their... Read more »
Setting and Conflict
Setting and Conflict
In this lesson, students will experiment with changing the setting in well-known fairy tales and will examine how the conflict would shift in the new setting. Students will explore the Prologue in Romeo and Juliet and analyze how the setting affects the conflict. Finally, students will rewrite their... Read more »
Setting and Conflict
PROBLEM SOLVING, SPATIAL SENSE, MATHEMATICAL REASONING, & JUSTIFICATION
In this lesson, students engage in different learning explorations around Quick Draw, which is designed to promote problem solving, spatial reasoning, and mathematical justification. Students will extend their learning by creating their own explorations for peers to solve. Read more »
PROBLEM SOLVING, SPATIAL SENSE, MATHEMATICAL REASONING, & JUSTIFICATION
In conjunction with their peers and teacher, students will investigate the money trail associated with the "booms and busts" of the oil and gas industry. They will uncover evidence of how the "booms and busts" affect the typical person and the economy. Read more »
Created by: Daniel Schwarz
Date Updated: December 2nd, 2022
The Oil and Gas Industry
Hierarchical Organization of Multicellular Organisms
This lesson is part of a series titled "Woman Crush Wednesday" in which we look at how female scientists have shaped our view of science. In this biology lesson, students will explore the contributions of Terese LaRose, a histotechnologist. Students will learn about the different levels of organization... Read more »
Created by: Mariah Warren
Date Updated: August 10th, 2022
Hierarchical Organization of Multicellular Organisms
This lesson examines the role of organizations such as the Black Panther Party in advocating for social justice during the Civil Rights Movement. Using texts, images, and the Black Panther Party's Ten Point Program, students learn how the Black Panther Party fought against social injustices. By the... Read more »
Created by: Mariana DeLoera
Date Updated: November 4th, 2022
The Civil Rights Movement and The Black Panther Party
As students read Tulsa Burning by Anna Meyers, these activities accompany the contextual understanding of people, places, and power in the Tulsa Race Massacre. Read more »
Tulsa Race Massacre
Beginning just before students read "Tulsa Burning" by Anna Myers, this companion lesson provides a contextual understanding of people, places, and power in the Tulsa Race Massacre. In the first of the series of lessons, students will be introduced to the concept of a flash point in science and compare... Read more »
Created by: Nicole Watkins
Date Updated: June 2nd, 2022
Tulsa Race Massacre
This lesson focuses on how to analyze and solve systems of linear equations by using the substitution and elimination methods. Students will use their prior knowledge of the components of a system to solve problems algebraically. Students will identify, solve, and write equations using substitution... Read more »
Created by: Brittany VanCleave
Date Updated: July 13th, 2022
Systems of Linear Equations: Substitution and Elimination
Students will inquire about what is happening in a photo. At first, they might say that it is the ocean or propose that it is a beach on an island or strip of land. As they view two more photos, they will see evidence of an oil spill. When they look back at the original photo, they will begin to see... Read more »
Created by: Crystal Young
Date Updated: May 27th, 2022
Humans Impact the Earth: How students can be part of the solution?
There is a special kind of magic in hearing the words you have written spoken out loud. Spoken word poetry is meant to be heard and performed rather than read silently from a page. In this lesson, students analyze the techniques spoken word poets use to engage an audience and examine the devices they... Read more »
Created by: Shelby Blackwood
Date Updated: August 12th, 2022
Techniques in Spoken Word Poetry
In this lesson, students will engage in several activities to understand Machiavelli's political writing, "The Prince." Students analyze excerpts from "The Prince," view a video about Machiavelli, participate in an activity to examine Machiavellian characteristics, and have a class debate about the... Read more »
Created by: Laura Halstied
Date Updated: July 29th, 2022
The Political Thought of Machiavelli
In this second lesson of "The K20 Chronicle" journalism unit, students will practice their active listening skills to determine what makes a good interview. After some collaboration time, students will apply what they have learned to conduct their own interviews of the school's seniors, which will be... Read more »
Created by: Margaret Salesky
Date Updated: March 11th, 2022
How to Conduct an Interview
In this lesson, students will explore the way in which culture is connected to the foods people eat. Students will examine how their own favorite foods are connected to their cultural identities and read Amy Tan's short story "Fish Cheeks." Read more »
Created by: Lisa Loughlin
Date Updated: August 16th, 2022
Exploring Cultural Identity Through Food
This lesson provides an overview of yellow journalism and its impact on the Spanish-American War. Using hands-on activities and discussions, students explore the vocabulary and attributes of yellow journalism. Students also evaluate the field of journalism. Following completion of the lesson, students... Read more »
Created by: Laura Halstied
Date Updated: August 15th, 2022
The Role of the Media in the Spanish-American War
This lesson analyzes the writings of Machiavelli and examines how he shaped political thought. Read more »
Research Project
In this lesson, students will use self-reflection to create a piece of descriptive writing. Students will use sensory details, organizational strategies, and the revision process to produce a short descriptive piece of writing. Read more »
creating and editing descriptive writing
This lesson focuses on events that led up to and occurred during the "Space Race" between the United States (U.S.) and the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic (U.S.S.R.). The lesson introduces students to the astronauts, cosmonauts, scientists, and politicians who played pivotal roles on both sides.... Read more »
Created by: Daniel Schwarz
Date Updated: March 31st, 2023
The Space Race
Do you enjoy painting, chalking, drawing cartoons, or creating digital artwork but are unsure what careers these interests can lead to? If so, you’re not alone! It’s a common myth that art is only a hobby. In reality, there are many career opportunities that people with creative skills can pursue, including... Read more »
Created by: Lindsey Link
Date Updated: November 23rd, 2022
