Kindergarten · 20 min
Mathematics
Counting collections
Place eight counters in a line. Count objects once each; the last number tells how many.
Common Core skill focusK.CC.B.4
Open lesson : Counting collectionsKindergarten through fifth grade
Small lessons.
Big discoveries.
Find a practical next step for your child, homeschool day, tutoring session or classroom. Choose a grade, follow a curiosity, and make learning something you do together.
84 starter lessons6 grades · K–58 subjects
Explore. Try.
Understand why.
Your next little lesson
What will we explore?
84 matching lessons
Kindergarten · 20 min
Mathematics
Make ten
Draw a frame with two rows of five boxes. Pairs can combine to make ten.
Common Core skill focusK.OA.A.4
Open lesson : Make tenKindergarten · 20 min
Mathematics
Compare lengths
Place two pencils on a flat surface. Line up endpoints to compare length directly.
Common Core skill focusK.MD.A.2
Open lesson : Compare lengthsKindergarten · 20 min
Mathematics
Shape detectives
Draw a triangle and a rectangle. Shapes have attributes that stay the same when turned.
Common Core skill focusK.G.B.4
Open lesson : Shape detectivesKindergarten · 20 min
English language arts
Hear beginning sounds
Say sun slowly without adding an extra vowel to /s/. Listen for the first sound in a spoken word.
Common Core skill focusRF.K.2.d
Open lesson : Hear beginning soundsKindergarten · 20 min
English language arts
Meet story characters
Read the rabbit-and-fox story aloud. Characters are the people or animals in a story.
Common Core skill focusRL.K.3
Open lesson : Meet story charactersKindergarten · 20 min
English language arts
Tell your opinion
Name a playground activity and draw it. An opinion tells what you think.
Common Core skill focusW.K.1
Open lesson : Tell your opinionKindergarten · 20 min
English language arts
Ask about a fact
Read the two bee sentences aloud. Questions help us understand information.
Common Core skill focusRI.K.1
Open lesson : Ask about a factKindergarten · 20 min
Science
Weather watchers
Choose a safe observation spot and the same time on three days. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.K.1
Open lesson : Weather watchersKindergarten · 20 min
Social studies
Our classroom community
Name people who contribute to a classroom or homeschool group. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.K.1
Open lesson : Our classroom communityKindergarten · 20 min
Visual arts
Lines and shapes
Show a straight line and a curved line. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.K.1
Open lesson : Lines and shapesKindergarten · 20 min
Music
Keep a steady beat
Tap four evenly spaced pulses at a comfortable volume. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.K.1
Open lesson : Keep a steady beatKindergarten · 20 min
Health and physical education
Personal space
Clear a safe area and agree on a stop signal. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.K.1
Open lesson : Personal spaceKindergarten · 20 min
Technology and library skills
Care for learning tools
Show safe ways to carry a closed book or adult-approved device. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.K.1
Open lesson : Care for learning toolsGrade 1 · 20 min
Mathematics
Tens and ones
Count 24 sticks. Ten ones make one ten.
Common Core skill focus1.NBT.B.2
Open lesson : Tens and onesGrade 1 · 20 min
Mathematics
Add by making ten
Build 8 counters in a ten-frame. Break apart one addend to make a ten first.
Common Core skill focus1.OA.C.6
Open lesson : Add by making tenGrade 1 · 20 min
Mathematics
Measure with units
Choose identical cubes and a book whose length is close to a whole number of cubes. Repeat equal units with no gaps or overlaps.
Common Core skill focus1.MD.A.2
Open lesson : Measure with unitsGrade 1 · 20 min
Mathematics
Equal shares
Fold one rectangle into two matching parts. Halves and fourths are equal shares of a whole.
Common Core skill focus1.G.A.3
Open lesson : Equal sharesGrade 1 · 20 min
English language arts
Blend a word
Say /m/, /ă/ and /p/ as separate spoken sounds. Blend spoken sounds to make a word.
Common Core skill focusRF.1.2.b
Open lesson : Blend a wordGrade 1 · 20 min
English language arts
Retell a story
Read the Ava-and-Ben story aloud. Retell key events and explain the story’s lesson.
Common Core skill focusRL.1.2
Open lesson : Retell a storyGrade 1 · 20 min
English language arts
Write an opinion
Choose and name a favorite game. Name a topic, state an opinion, give a reason, and close.
Common Core skill focusW.1.1
Open lesson : Write an opinionGrade 1 · 20 min
English language arts
Find a main topic
Read the three turtle facts. A main topic tells what a text is mostly about.
Common Core skill focusRI.1.2
Open lesson : Find a main topicGrade 1 · 20 min
Science
Plant needs
Choose two plants with an adult who can maintain appropriate care. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.1.1
Open lesson : Plant needsGrade 1 · 20 min
Social studies
Maps of familiar places
Look down on a familiar space or picture it from above. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.1.1
Open lesson : Maps of familiar placesGrade 1 · 20 min
Visual arts
Warm and cool colors
Group red, orange and yellow as common warm colors and blue, green and violet as common cool colors. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.1.1
Open lesson : Warm and cool colorsGrade 1 · 20 min
Music
Loud and soft
Agree on a comfortable volume and avoid sudden loud sounds. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.1.1
Open lesson : Loud and softGrade 1 · 20 min
Health and physical education
Healthy routines
Name daily opportunities for rest, movement, hygiene and meals. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.1.1
Open lesson : Healthy routinesGrade 1 · 20 min
Technology and library skills
Put steps in order
Describe a simple house picture without showing it. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.1.1
Open lesson : Put steps in orderGrade 2 · 20 min
Mathematics
Add within 100
Represent 36 and 27 with tens and ones. Use tens and ones to add two-digit numbers.
Common Core skill focus2.NBT.B.5
Open lesson : Add within 100Grade 2 · 20 min
Mathematics
Read the clock
Label clock numbers with counts of five minutes. Each number on a clock marks five minutes.
Common Core skill focus2.MD.C.7
Open lesson : Read the clockGrade 2 · 20 min
Mathematics
Arrays and equal groups
Draw three rows with four dots in each. Rows in an array can represent repeated addition.
Common Core skill focus2.OA.C.4
Open lesson : Arrays and equal groupsGrade 2 · 20 min
Mathematics
Partition a whole
Draw two identical rectangles. Equal shares can have different shapes.
Common Core skill focus2.G.A.3
Open lesson : Partition a wholeGrade 2 · 20 min
English language arts
Learn word parts
Read play aloud, then replay and playful. Common prefixes and suffixes help decode words.
Common Core skill focusRF.2.3.d
Open lesson : Learn word partsGrade 2 · 20 min
English language arts
Respond to challenges
Read about Nia's fallen tower. Characters respond to problems through choices and actions.
Common Core skill focusRL.2.3
Open lesson : Respond to challengesGrade 2 · 20 min
English language arts
Explain a topic
Choose a familiar animal. Informational writing introduces a topic, supplies facts, and closes.
Common Core skill focusW.2.2
Open lesson : Explain a topicGrade 2 · 20 min
English language arts
Use text features
Show a short animal book with a title, headings, caption and simple index. Headings, captions, and indexes help readers find information.
Common Core skill focusRI.2.5
Open lesson : Use text featuresGrade 2 · 20 min
Science
Changing materials
Place ice in a tray on a safe surface. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.2.1
Open lesson : Changing materialsGrade 2 · 20 min
Social studies
Past and present
Select two dated school photographs with an adult. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.2.1
Open lesson : Past and presentGrade 2 · 20 min
Visual arts
Texture rubbings
Choose clean safe textured surfaces and remove paper from a crayon. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.2.1
Open lesson : Texture rubbingsGrade 2 · 20 min
Music
Rhythm patterns
Count four equal beats aloud. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.2.1
Open lesson : Rhythm patternsGrade 2 · 20 min
Health and physical education
Movement skills
Check that the area and soft equipment suit the learner. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.2.1
Open lesson : Movement skillsGrade 2 · 20 min
Technology and library skills
Protect private information
Use fictional examples only. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.2.1
Open lesson : Protect private informationGrade 3 · 25 min
Mathematics
Multiplication as groups
Draw four bags with three marbles in each. A product can count equal groups.
Common Core skill focus3.OA.A.1
Open lesson : Multiplication as groupsGrade 3 · 25 min
Mathematics
Fractions of a whole
Draw one rectangle as the whole. The denominator counts equal parts; the numerator counts selected parts.
Common Core skill focus3.NF.A.1
Open lesson : Fractions of a wholeGrade 3 · 25 min
Mathematics
Area with tiles
Cover a rectangle with unit squares without gaps or overlaps. Area counts unit squares covering a surface.
Common Core skill focus3.MD.C.7
Open lesson : Area with tilesGrade 3 · 25 min
Mathematics
Round to the nearest ten
Mark 40 and 50 on a number line. Use neighboring tens to estimate a number.
Common Core skill focus3.NBT.A.1
Open lesson : Round to the nearest tenGrade 3 · 25 min
English language arts
Find the main idea
Read the three tree facts. A main idea is supported by key details.
Common Core skill focusRI.3.2
Open lesson : Find the main ideaGrade 3 · 25 min
English language arts
Describe a character
Read the short story about persistence. Traits and actions can affect the sequence of events.
Common Core skill focusRL.3.3
Open lesson : Describe a characterGrade 3 · 25 min
English language arts
Build an opinion paragraph
Introduce a classroom reading corner as the topic. Support an opinion with reasons and connect ideas.
Common Core skill focusW.3.1
Open lesson : Build an opinion paragraphGrade 3 · 25 min
English language arts
Use context clues
Read the parched-soil sentence aloud. Nearby words can suggest an unfamiliar word’s meaning.
Common Core skill focusL.3.4.a
Open lesson : Use context cluesGrade 3 · 25 min
Science
Habitats and survival
Read two short adult-selected descriptions of a pond and a desert. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.3.1
Open lesson : Habitats and survivalGrade 3 · 25 min
Social studies
Local government
Choose an official local public-service page with an adult. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.3.1
Open lesson : Local governmentGrade 3 · 25 min
Visual arts
Foreground and background
Draw one object near the front of a picture. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.3.1
Open lesson : Foreground and backgroundGrade 3 · 25 min
Music
Melody direction
Hum or play three comfortable notes moving upward. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.3.1
Open lesson : Melody directionGrade 3 · 25 min
Health and physical education
Teamwork in motion
Clear a safe area and invite accessible movement options. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.3.1
Open lesson : Teamwork in motionGrade 3 · 25 min
Technology and library skills
Search with keywords
Choose an adult-approved search tool or prepared search-result cards. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.3.1
Open lesson : Search with keywordsGrade 4 · 25 min
Mathematics
Multi-digit multiplication
Break 23 into 20 + 3 and 14 into 10 + 4. An area model separates place values.
Common Core skill focus4.NBT.B.5
Open lesson : Multi-digit multiplicationGrade 4 · 25 min
Mathematics
Equivalent fractions
Draw two equal-sized wholes. Multiply numerator and denominator by the same number to preserve value.
Common Core skill focus4.NF.A.1
Open lesson : Equivalent fractionsGrade 4 · 25 min
Mathematics
Factors and multiples
Build rectangles with 24 counters. Factor pairs multiply to a given whole number.
Common Core skill focus4.OA.B.4
Open lesson : Factors and multiplesGrade 4 · 25 min
Mathematics
Lines of symmetry
Fold a paper square so the two sides match exactly. A symmetry line divides a figure into matching reflected halves.
Common Core skill focus4.G.A.3
Open lesson : Lines of symmetryGrade 4 · 25 min
English language arts
Infer with evidence
Read this factual weather note: Rain leaves puddles and makes uncovered soil wet. At 9 a.m. the path had puddles and the uncovered soil was wet. An inference combines text evidence with reasoning.
Common Core skill focusRI.4.1
Open lesson : Infer with evidenceGrade 4 · 25 min
English language arts
Find a theme
Read Jo's puzzle story. A theme is a message supported by story details.
Common Core skill focusRL.4.2
Open lesson : Find a themeGrade 4 · 25 min
English language arts
Organize an explanation
Introduce plant care as the topic. Group related information and develop it with facts and details.
Common Core skill focusW.4.2
Open lesson : Organize an explanationGrade 4 · 25 min
English language arts
Precise word choice
Read The animal went fast. Specific words communicate more clearly.
Common Core skill focusL.4.3.a
Open lesson : Precise word choiceGrade 4 · 25 min
Science
Energy transfer
Place two safe balls on a level clear surface. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.4.1
Open lesson : Energy transferGrade 4 · 25 min
Social studies
Regions and resources
Choose two labeled physical maps and read their keys. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.4.1
Open lesson : Regions and resourcesGrade 4 · 25 min
Visual arts
Visual storytelling
Plan a beginning, middle and ending for a short event. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.4.1
Open lesson : Visual storytellingGrade 4 · 25 min
Music
Musical form
Listen to a short adult-selected piece at comfortable volume. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.4.1
Open lesson : Musical formGrade 4 · 25 min
Health and physical education
Body signals
Choose comfortable accessible movement and agree that rest is always an option. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.4.1
Open lesson : Body signalsGrade 4 · 25 min
Technology and library skills
Evaluate a source
Choose two adult-selected pages about the same question. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.4.1
Open lesson : Evaluate a sourceGrade 5 · 25 min
Mathematics
Add unlike fractions
Use equal-sized wholes for a half and a third. Rename fractions in equal-sized units before adding.
Common Core skill focus5.NF.A.1
Open lesson : Add unlike fractionsGrade 5 · 25 min
Mathematics
Decimal operations
Label ones, tenths and hundredths columns. Align place values when adding decimals.
Common Core skill focus5.NBT.B.7
Open lesson : Decimal operationsGrade 5 · 25 min
Mathematics
Volume of a box
Sketch a 4-by-3 base made of unit cubes. A rectangular prism contains layers of unit cubes.
Common Core skill focus5.MD.C.5
Open lesson : Volume of a boxGrade 5 · 25 min
Mathematics
Coordinate plane
Draw perpendicular axes with equal unit spacing. An ordered pair tells horizontal then vertical distance from the origin.
Common Core skill focus5.G.A.1
Open lesson : Coordinate planeGrade 5 · 25 min
English language arts
Compare text structures
Read two short texts on growing beans. Texts organize information in different ways.
Common Core skill focusRI.5.5
Open lesson : Compare text structuresGrade 5 · 25 min
English language arts
Compare characters
Read about Ana and Max during the storm. Use details to compare how characters act and respond.
Common Core skill focusRL.5.3
Open lesson : Compare charactersGrade 5 · 25 min
English language arts
Support an argument
Choose a position on a school garden. Organized reasons and relevant facts support an opinion.
Common Core skill focusW.5.1
Open lesson : Support an argumentGrade 5 · 25 min
English language arts
Summarize nonfiction
Read the wetland passage. Identify multiple main ideas and explain their supporting details.
Common Core skill focusRI.5.2
Open lesson : Summarize nonfictionGrade 5 · 25 min
Science
Food webs
Draw the original sun-grass-rabbit-fox energy path. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.5.1
Open lesson : Food websGrade 5 · 25 min
Social studies
Foundations of government
Read short adult-selected factual passages on rules, rights and branches of government. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.5.1
Open lesson : Foundations of governmentGrade 5 · 25 min
Visual arts
Art and perspective
Place one object where it can be viewed safely from two positions. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.5.1
Open lesson : Art and perspectiveGrade 5 · 25 min
Music
Music and meaning
Choose two short pieces at comfortable volume. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.5.1
Open lesson : Music and meaningGrade 5 · 25 min
Health and physical education
Personal wellness plan
Identify manageable opportunities for rest, enjoyable movement, meals and hygiene. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.5.1
Open lesson : Personal wellness planGrade 5 · 25 min
Technology and library skills
Credit your sources
Choose an adult-approved factual source. Share observations in a guided discussion.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.5.1
Open lesson : Credit your sourcesAdapted from the 84 starter mini-lessons in the original Elementary Lesson Explorer ↗, with expanded teaching guidance. No account is needed.