New Species: Discovery of Vespamantoida

Dr. Gavin Svenson, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Director of Research & Collections and Curator of Invertebrate Zoology, discovered a new species of praying mantis on an insect survey expedition in the Amazon Rainforest. The mantis, named Vespamantoida wherleyi, is brightly colored and mimics wasps to ward off predators—a combination that has never been seen before. The discovery and analysis have had widespread implications for the Mantoididae family. As part of our Scientist Saturdays series, learn even more about this newly discovered mantis from the expert himself—Dr. Svenson! Worksheets available for grades 7-8 and 9-12.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Paleomammology—Ancient Teeth Teach Many Tales

Paleobiologist Dr. Darin Croft gives us a peek at an exhibit all about extinct South American mammals.

Material Type: Lecture

Paleontology Prep Lab

Paleontologist Lee Hall takes us on a tour of the Museum's fossil preparation lab. Worksheets available for grades 1-2.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

ProtectCLE (Protect Cleveland’s Living Environment)

In this edition of Museum Mondays, learn about the Museum’s new citizen-science initiative, ProtectCLE, with Skye Powers-Kaminski, Manager of Educator Engagement. You’ll get a rundown of the free app iNaturalist, learn about our Biocube Build Challenge premiering tomorrow on Goosechase, and so much more. Worksheet available for all grades.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Red-tailed Hawk

Sure, maybe you saw Meep when you last visited the Museum, but did you know Red-tailed Hawks are migratory birds? Find out how our animal experts care for these fascinating migrators year-round at the Museum! Worksheets available for grades 1-5, 6-12, and all ages.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Tools of Predation

Did you know most of the animals in the Perkins Wildlife Center are predators? Join our wildlife experts as they give you an inside look at the tools of predation. In this week's episode, we'll travel up the food chain to learn about heightened senses, unique physical adaptations, and the interesting dietary preferences of our amazing predators.

Material Type: Lecture

Tour the Kirtland Hall of Prehistoric Life

Museum educator Ashley Hall takes us on a dino-filled tour of the Museum! Worksheet available for grades PreK-1.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Vertebrate Zoology

Assistant Curator of Vertebrate Zoology Roberta Muehlheim shows us some of her favorite skeletons in this fascinating collection and talks about her important research in conserving amphibian populations in Ohio. Worksheet available for grades 5-6.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

A World of What-Ifs at Cleveland Public Library

The Children's Museum of Cleveland  is temporarily closed to the public due to the pandemic.  Staff at CMC have created these kits for distribution through the Cleveland Public Library during the summer 2021, anticipating a reopening for families.  Contact your branch library for details. Cleveland Public Library Brooklyn Branch has created this guide to work with teachers and students at Cleveland Metropolitan Schools Denison K-12 and Horizon Science Denison Academy.

Material Type: Interactive

Author: Laura McShane

Animal Database

Resource pages of 149 animals from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Each page contains animal details, habitats and known living areas, conservation status and threats, diet, photographs and videos, external resources, and downloadable fact sheets.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Reading

National Gallery of Art - Lessons and Activities

Lesson plans and curriculum including https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/uncovering-america.html Uncovering America-What does it mean to be American? Discover compelling stories of creativity, struggle, and resilience in this new set of resources for K–12 educators featuring works of art that reflect the richness and diversity of the people, places, and cultures of the United States. Encourage creative, critical, and historical thinking in your students as you examine works of art from the country’s creation to the present day. Thematic modules contain: Introductory essays Downloadable high-resolution image sets featuring background information Essential questions for students Classroom activities Selected additional resources What’s your American story? Share with #AmericanStoriesNGA or send your stories to classroom@nga.gov Unless otherwise expressly provided elsewhere on the National Gallery of Art’s website (“Site”), and in such instance only as specifically provided, the contents of this Site, including all images and text, are for personal, educational, non-commercial use only, and may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the National Gallery of Art

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: National Gallery of Art

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - Resource Library

Welcome to the Zoo's Online Resource Library. Use the search box above to explore our growing collection of digital resources. Check the navigation bar at the top of the page and the categories below for more search options. If you’re an educator, click Lesson Plans.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Metroparks Zoo Education Department, Vicki Searles

Summer Camp Deck

A collection of STEM activities and experiments with a summer camp theme that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Five "camps" were created - Sports Camp, STEAM Camp, Space Camp, Outdoors Camp, and Animal Camp - each with unique activities in topics like sports and games, art, rockets and space, outdoors and weather, and animals. Included with each camp document is information on different STEM-related careers. Each activity includes a materials list, instructions, reflection question, and a fun fact, tip, or extension.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

"In this unit, students explore the artistry that helped make Irving our nation's first literary master and ponder the mystery that now haunts every Halloween -- What happened to Ichabod Crane?"

Material Type: Module

Dealing with Feelings

In this lesson students will identify and describe various feelings, so that they can communicate more effectively.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Social and Emotional Learning With PBS

This session provides a strong foundation in social and emotional awareness content integrating PBS Learning Apps, WOSU Public Media’s Ready to Learn resources, and a new video series, Drawing with Mr. J, to engage early learning educators with students and their families. Educators will learn how to put into action educational programming to open the door for rich conversations between children, parents, and educators about self-regulation, agency, identity and emotional balance aligned with Ohio’s Social and Emotional Learning Standards.

Material Type: Teaching/Learning Strategy

Using BookFlix to Teach Self-Awareness

This mini lesson allows teachers to share the nonfiction companion text, Empathy: I Know How You Feel! by Liz George, that is already available within the BookFlix resource. You could share the differences between informational and fictional text, discuss text features, and have students check out the puzzles, games, and websites that accompany this text pair, as seen in the image below. Another addition to the lesson could be to continue completing the empathy map as a whole group or providing an empathy map template to students so they can use this with a personal story of their choosing.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Reading

Author: Sarah Mowery

We Are All Different in Many Ways!

This activity focuses on being an individual and reminds students that it is okay to be different.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Back-to-School STEM Kits: 1st Grade

A collection of five interactive activities and labs to help young learners understand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts while also actively experiencing the engineering design process. This resource includes both educator and family guides, materials lists, and extension activities. Activities include an introduction to scientists, engineering, and the design process; designing an oven; ice cream and slime; movement; and growing a plant.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan

Back-to-School STEM Kits: 2nd Grade

A collection of six interactive activities and labs to help young learners understand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts while also actively experiencing the engineering design process. This resource includes both educator and family guides, materials lists, and extension activities. Activities include an introduction to scientists, engineering, and the design process; airplane flight; meteorologists; safe travelling; building a bird nest; and fossil hunting.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan