Active Learning Activities

Group Work Project Contracting

For instructors planning student group work projects over many weeks or months.

Put Your Theory on Trial

Scaffolded debate that explores the nuances of a belief that the teacher has introduced.

Running on Water: Activating Prior Knowledge of Static Equilibrium

Students watch, discuss, then analyze the veracity of a video in which hydrophobic shoes allow people to run on water.

Silent Discussion

Conduct a discussion in your class without students ever speaking a word!

Reimagining the Reading Quiz: Peer Instruction in English

Students do a reading quiz in class and revise their answers after developing and sharing a rationale for their choice.

Nature of Science Ice-Breaker

A first class ice-breaker activity introducing the nature of science.

To Pass or Not to Pass: Acting out membrane transport

Aim of the activity is to increase students’ understanding of molecules’ movement through the cell membrane.

Card Sorting Activities for Mechanics

Can I Use the Internet?

Connotation Exercise: Interview and Presentation

Name that Molecule! / Nommez cette Molécule!

Dictation: Read and Run

Cercles de Lecture (Reading Circles)

If You’re Not Part of the Solution You’re Part of the Precipitate

Bringing Context to Life: Annotating Research for Reading Novels

Rhetorical Strategies

Forget the Math! Draw pictures to learn the wave theory of light

Poetic Literary Jeopardy

Kinematics Concept Mapping

Circus Launch Clicker Questions

Forces Scavenger Hunt

Lenz’s Law

Explosives Detective

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution