Appendix B: Activities by Subject
Activities organized by subject area and discipline.
Quick reference guide for finding subject-specific and cross-curricular activities
How to Use This Appendix
Activities are organized into three main categories:
Universal Activities: Work across ALL subjects (K-12, all content areas) STEM-Friendly: Particularly well-suited for Math, Science, Technology, Engineering Humanities-Friendly: Particularly well-suited for English/Language Arts, Social Studies, History, Arts Subject-Specific Adaptations: Examples showing how to customize activities for specific subjects
Key:
- = Extremely versatile across subjects
- = Math-specific applications
- = Science-specific applications
- = ELA-specific applications
- = Social Studies/History-specific applications
- = Arts-specific applications
- = World Language-specific applications
UNIVERSAL ACTIVITIES (Work Across ALL Subjects)
Attention Grabbers & Energizers (Chapter 4)
All activities in this chapter are universally applicable:
Call-and-Response - Use subject-specific patterns Countdown Timer - Creates urgency for any task Music Cue - Signal transitions in any context Brain Teaser - Adapt puzzle to your content Quick Poll - Ask any subject-related question This or That - Create binary choices from your content Stand Up If... - Use statements from any subject Mystery Box - Reveal objects relevant to your content Surprising Fact - Share startling info from your field Provocative Question - Pose thought-provokers in any subject
Core Collaboration Activities (Chapter 6)
These work universally with subject-specific content:
Think-Pair-Share - Process any content through discussion Turn-and-Tell - Share understanding of any concept Jigsaw - Divide any complex content into expert chunks Small Group Discussion - Discuss any topic collaboratively Peer Teaching - Explain any concept to classmate Numbered Heads Together - Answer questions from any subject Pair-Compare - Compare work in any subject area Collaborative Problem-Solving - Tackle problems from any field
Formative Assessment (Chapter 8)
Universal checking strategies:
Exit Ticket - Assess understanding of any lesson Quick Quiz - Check mastery in any subject Self-Assessment - Student reflection on any learning Thumbs Up/Down - Quick confidence check universally Fist to Five - Rate understanding of any concept Misconception Check - Surface errors in any subject One-Sentence Summary - Synthesize any content 3-2-1 Reflection - Reflect on any learning experience
Transitions & Brain Breaks (Chapter 11)
All activities in this chapter are subject-neutral:
Stand-and-Stretch - Energy reset anytime Breathing Break - Calm and refocus universally Shake It Off - Physical reset in any class Music Transition - Signal changes in any subject Processing Pause - Give thinking time for any content Brain Break - Quick mental reset universally applicable
STEM-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES (Math, Science, Technology, Engineering)
Prior Knowledge Activation for STEM (Chapter 5)
Real-World Connection
- Math: "When have you needed to calculate a percentage?"
- Science: "Where do you see chemical reactions in your daily life?"
Prediction
- Math: "Predict what the graph will look like..."
- Science: "What do you think will happen when we mix these substances?"
What Do You Already Know?
- Math: "What do you remember about fractions from last year?"
- Science: "What do you know about the water cycle?"
Concept Sort
- Math: Sort expressions by operation type
- Science: Categorize as physical vs. chemical changes
Critical Thinking for STEM (Chapter 7)
Error Analysis
- Math: Find the mistake in a worked problem
- Science: Identify flaws in experimental design
What If Scenarios
- Math: "What if we changed this coefficient?"
- Science: "What if gravity were twice as strong?"
Estimate First
- Math: Estimate before calculating
- Science: Predict measurement before measuring
Multiple Solution Paths
- Math: "Show three different ways to solve this"
- Science: "Design three different experimental approaches"
Cause and Effect Analysis
- Math: How changing one variable affects another
- Science: Identify cause-effect relationships in systems
Compare and Contrast
- Math: Compare different problem-solving strategies
- Science: Compare two experimental results or theories
Movement & Kinesthetic for STEM (Chapter 9)
Human Graph
- Math: Students position themselves to create data visualization
- Science: Model molecular structures or atomic arrangements
Kinesthetic Modeling
- Math: Use body to show angles, parallel lines, transformations
- Science: Model planetary orbits, cell division, circuits
Line-Up
- Math: Arrange by numerical value, least to greatest
- Science: Order by atomic number, density, temperature
Scavenger Hunt
- Math: Find examples of geometric shapes around room
- Science: Locate examples of simple machines in classroom
HUMANITIES-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES (ELA, Social Studies, History, Arts)
Prior Knowledge Activation for Humanities (Chapter 5)
Personal Connection Prompt
- ELA: "When have you felt like this character?"
- History: "What current events connect to this historical period?"
Anticipation Guide
- ELA: Agree/disagree with thematic statements before reading
- History: React to controversial historical claims
Quote Analysis
- ELA: Analyze opening line of text
- History: React to primary source quotation
Word Association Web
- ELA: Build connections between vocabulary terms
- History: Link related concepts (democracy, republic, freedom, etc.)
Critical Thinking for Humanities (Chapter 7)
Debate / Agree-Disagree
- ELA: Debate character motivations or author's message
- History: Debate historical interpretations or cause/effect
Perspective-Taking
- ELA: "How does this look from the antagonist's viewpoint?"
- History: "How would different groups view this event?"
Rank Order by Importance
- ELA: Order themes by significance
- History: Rank causes of war by impact
Find the Evidence
- ELA: Cite textual evidence for claims
- History: Support arguments with historical sources
Compare and Contrast
- ELA: Compare two characters, texts, or genres
- History: Compare two time periods, leaders, or societies
Thematic Connections
- ELA: Link themes across texts
- History: Connect historical patterns across eras
Movement & Kinesthetic for Humanities (Chapter 9)
Gallery Walk
- ELA: Analyze multiple poem stanzas or passages
- History: Examine primary source documents at stations
- Arts: Critique multiple artworks displayed
Four Corners / Spectrum
- ELA: Position by interpretation of theme
- History: Stand by level of agreement with historical judgment
Tableau / Freeze Frame
- ELA: Create frozen scene from story
- History: Depict historical moment
- Drama: Create physical representations
Role Play / Simulation
- ELA: Act out scene from text
- History: Simulate historical debate or event
SUBJECT-SPECIFIC ADAPTATIONS
MATHEMATICS
Best General Activities for Math:
- Error Analysis (find the mistake)
- Multiple Solution Paths (show different solving strategies)
- Estimate First (number sense building)
- Worked Examples (model problem-solving)
- Whiteboard Response (check calculations visually)
Sample Math-Specific Adaptations:
Think-Pair-Share → "Think: Solve the problem independently. Pair: Compare your solution method with a partner. Share: Show different approaches to the class."
Quick Poll → "Thumbs up if you used addition; thumbs sideways if multiplication; thumbs down if division."
Four Corners → Each corner represents a different problem-solving strategy. Students go to the strategy they think is most efficient.
Gallery Walk → Stations show different worked problems. Students check for accuracy and explain the steps.
SCIENCE
Best General Activities for Science:
- Prediction (hypothesis formation)
- Observation Protocol (data collection)
- Cause and Effect Analysis
- What If Scenarios
- Error Analysis (experimental design flaws)
Sample Science-Specific Adaptations:
Turn-and-Tell → "Turn to your lab partner. Person A: Describe what you observed. Person B: Explain what that observation means."
Scavenger Hunt → Find examples of simple machines, ecosystems, or states of matter around the room.
Human Modeling → Students use their bodies to model molecular structures, planetary orbits, or cell processes.
Quick Write → "In 60 seconds, write your hypothesis about what will happen and why."
ENGLISH / LANGUAGE ARTS
Best General Activities for ELA:
- Quote Analysis
- Perspective-Taking
- Find the Evidence (textual evidence)
- One-Sentence Summary
- Thematic Connections
Sample ELA-Specific Adaptations:
Think-Pair-Share → "Think: What is the author's message in this passage? Pair: Share your interpretation. Share: How do different readers see this differently?"
Four Corners → Each corner represents a different theme. Students move to the theme they think is MOST important in the text.
Gallery Walk → Display different character quotes around room. Students annotate with analysis of characterization.
Exit Ticket → "One sentence: What is the most important line in today's reading and why?"
SOCIAL STUDIES / HISTORY
Best General Activities for History:
- Primary Source Analysis
- Perspective-Taking (historical viewpoints)
- Cause and Effect Timelines
- Debate (historical interpretations)
- Compare and Contrast (eras, leaders, societies)
Sample History-Specific Adaptations:
Think-Pair-Share → "Think: Which cause of WWI was most important? Pair: Defend your choice with evidence. Share: Class vote and discussion."
Four Corners → Each corner represents a different historical figure or position. Students move to the one they most agree with.
Jigsaw → Expert groups become experts on different aspects of a historical event, then teach their home groups.
Role Play → Simulate Constitutional Convention, UN debate, or historical trial.
WORLD LANGUAGES
Best General Activities for Language Learning:
- Turn-and-Tell (conversational practice)
- Vocabulary Charades
- Language Games
- Peer Teaching (grammar explanation)
- Cultural Connections
Sample Language-Specific Adaptations:
Think-Pair-Share → Conducted entirely in target language with sentence stems provided.
Quiz-Quiz-Trade → Students quiz each other on vocabulary using flashcards in target language.
Four Corners → Each corner represents a response in target language to a question.
Gallery Walk → Stations have images; students write descriptions in target language.
ARTS (Visual, Music, Drama, Dance)
Best General Activities for Arts:
- Observation Protocol (art analysis)
- Critique Process
- Gallery Walk
- Peer Feedback
- Kinesthetic Modeling
Sample Arts-Specific Adaptations:
Think-Pair-Share → "Think: What do you notice in this artwork? Pair: Discuss visual elements. Share: Different interpretations."
Four Corners → Each corner represents a different artistic style or preference.
Gallery Walk → Students tour displayed artworks, leaving sticky-note feedback.
Demonstration + Practice → Teacher models technique; students practice; peer feedback.
Cross-Curricular Integration
Activities That Support Literacy Across All Subjects
These activities help students read, write, speak, and think critically—valuable in ANY subject:
Reading Support:
- Annotation Strategies (Ch 5)
- Reading Protocol (Ch 5)
- Quote Analysis (Ch 7)
- Find the Evidence (Ch 7)
Writing Support:
- Quick Write (Ch 5)
- One-Sentence Summary (Ch 8)
- Exit Ticket (Ch 8)
- Learning Log (Ch 10)
Speaking/Listening Support:
- Think-Pair-Share (Ch 6)
- Turn-and-Tell (Ch 6)
- Small Group Discussion (Ch 6)
- Peer Teaching (Ch 6)
Critical Thinking Support (Universal):
- Compare and Contrast (Ch 7)
- Cause and Effect (Ch 7)
- Agree/Disagree (Ch 7)
- Rank Order (Ch 7)
Subject-Specific Starter Kits
If You're NEW to Using Activities, Start With These 5-7 Activities for Your Subject:
MATH Starter Kit:
- Quick Poll (formative check)
- Think-Pair-Share (problem-solving discussion)
- Error Analysis (find mistakes)
- Whiteboard Response (show work)
- Exit Ticket (check understanding)
- Multiple Solution Paths (flexibility)
- Estimate First (number sense)
SCIENCE Starter Kit:
- Prediction (hypothesis)
- Turn-and-Tell (observation sharing)
- What If Scenario (hypothetical thinking)
- Quick Write (reflection)
- Gallery Walk (lab stations)
- Cause and Effect (relationships)
- Exit Ticket (synthesis)
ELA Starter Kit:
- Quick Write (response to reading)
- Think-Pair-Share (interpretation)
- Quote Analysis (textual evidence)
- Four Corners (thematic debate)
- One-Sentence Summary (synthesis)
- Find the Evidence (close reading)
- Exit Ticket (reflection)
HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES Starter Kit:
- Anticipation Guide (activate prior knowledge)
- Primary Source Analysis (document study)
- Think-Pair-Share (historical interpretation)
- Cause and Effect Timeline (relationships)
- Perspective-Taking (multiple viewpoints)
- Debate (historical arguments)
- Exit Ticket (synthesis)
WORLD LANGUAGE Starter Kit:
- Turn-and-Tell (conversational practice)
- Quiz-Quiz-Trade (vocabulary review)
- Four Corners (opinion sharing in target language)
- Sentence Stems (scaffolded speaking)
- Cultural Connection (real-world relevance)
- Quick Poll (comprehension check)
- Exit Ticket (self-assessment)
ARTS Starter Kit:
- Observation Protocol (visual analysis)
- Gallery Walk (peer viewing)
- Think-Pair-Share (artistic interpretation)
- Demonstration (technique modeling)
- Peer Feedback (constructive critique)
- Quick Sketch (visual response)
- Exit Ticket (reflection on process)
Related Appendices
- Appendix A: Activities by Time (find activities that fit your schedule)
- Appendix C: Activities by Class Size (adapt for your student count)
- Appendix D: No-Prep Index (zero-preparation activities)
- Appendix E: Digital Tools Reference (tech tools by subject)
Note: Activity chapter numbers refer to their location within Part II (Chapters 4-11) of this handbook.