โ† Teachers Arc Resources ยท Kโ€“12 Activities
โœฆ Grades Kโ€“12 50+ Activities No Login Required

Kโ€“12 Classroom Activities

Hands-on, standards-aligned activities across Science, Math, ELA, Social Studies, and the Arts โ€” for every grade level and learning style.

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Elementary School

Grades Kโ€“5
๐Ÿ”ข
Math ยท Number Sense

Number Bond Builders

Students use snap cubes or drawings to break apart numbers 1โ€“20, building flexible thinking and fact fluency. Pairs with the Arc Math simulations.
Kโ€“2 โฑ 20 min Hands-On
๐Ÿ“–
ELA ยท Phonics

Sight Word Relay

Teams race to read, spell, and write SIPPS sight words on mini whiteboards. Flashcard deck included โ€” no prep needed. Builds automaticity through movement.
Kโ€“2 โฑ 15 min Movement
๐ŸŒฑ
Science ยท Life Science

Plant Detectives NEW

Students observe a seed packet, predict what it will grow into, draw a life cycle diagram, and compare with the Arc Science Plant Adventures unit. Wonder journals included.
1โ€“3 โฑ 30 min Inquiry
๐ŸŽก
Math ยท Probability

Carnival Chances

Use the Probability Carnival simulation to run 20 spins, record results in a tally chart, and decide whether the game is "fair." Students present their findings to the class.
3โ€“5 โฑ 25 min Simulation
๐Ÿ“
ELA ยท Writing

Sentence Frame Stories

Structured writing prompts with visual sentence frames help emerging writers craft a 3-sentence story. Bilingual support built in โ€” Spanish sentence frames available.
1โ€“3 โฑ 20 min Writing ELL Support
๐ŸŒ
Social Studies ยท Geography

Virtual Field Trip Journal

Students visit the Aquarium, Zoo, or Space destination and complete a 3-column travel journal: What I Saw, What Surprised Me, One Question I Have. Audio narration included.
Kโ€“5 โฑ 30 min Enrichment
๐Ÿ•บ
SEL ยท Movement

Mindful Dance Break

A 5-minute guided dance or yoga flow from the Arc Dance Breaks library, followed by a 2-minute silent "calm-down" breathing exercise. Great for transitions and focus resets.
Kโ€“5 โฑ 7 min Movement
โž•
Math ยท Facts & Relationships

Doubles Detectives

Students use the GO Math Chapter 3 simulations to discover doubles and near-doubles patterns. They record findings in a "doubles diary" and share a surprising pattern they found.
2โ€“3 โฑ 25 min Interactive
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
Bilingual ยท ELA

Palabras de Vista (Sight Words)

Spanish sight word practice, partner reading, and a bilingual journal prompt. Students create an illustrated "word wall" card for one new word. Supports English-Spanish bridge learners.
Kโ€“2 โฑ 20 min Bilingual ELL Support

Middle School

Grades 6โ€“8
๐ŸŒ
Science ยท Earth Science

Climate Data Detectives NEW

Use the Climate Time Machine to identify 3 turning-point years in global temperature data. Students write a claim-evidence-reasoning paragraph defending their analysis.
6โ€“8 โฑ 40 min CER Writing
๐ŸŽฒ
Math ยท Statistics & Probability

Is the Carnival Fair?

Students design a carnival game using the simulator, calculate theoretical vs. experimental probability, and write a recommendation letter to the "carnival owner" about game fairness.
6โ€“8 โฑ 45 min Project
๐Ÿบ
Social Studies ยท Ancient History

Archaeology Notebook

As they excavate the Egypt Dig, students document each artifact: object name, date, purpose, and what it reveals about daily life. Final product: a 1-page archaeologist's report.
6โ€“8 โฑ 45 min Research
๐ŸŒŒ
Science ยท Astronomy

Scale of the Solar System

Students use the Solar System Explorer to record planet diameters and distances, then create a scale model using toilet paper rolls. Connects to proportional reasoning in math.
6โ€“8 โฑ 50 min STEM Project
โœ๏ธ
ELA ยท Argumentative Writing

Debate the Evidence

Students choose a simulation topic (climate, space, history) and write a structured argumentative paragraph using evidence gathered from the Arc tools. Peer review checklist included.
6โ€“8 โฑ 35 min Writing
๐Ÿงญ
SEL ยท Reflection

Explorer's Growth Map

Students view their Student Profile progress and write a "growth map" โ€” identifying one thing they mastered, one challenge, and one goal. Class shares in a gallery walk.
6โ€“8 โฑ 20 min Reflection
๐Ÿ“Š
Math ยท Data & Statistics

Data Story: Climate Trends

Students collect temperature data from the Climate Time Machine, create a line graph by hand or digitally, and write 3 observations. Introduces graphing conventions and trend analysis.
7โ€“8 โฑ 40 min Data Analysis

High School

Grades 9โ€“12
๐ŸŒก๏ธ
Science ยท Environmental

Climate Policy Simulation

Students use Climate Time Machine data to model the impact of a proposed policy. They write a policy brief (400 words) citing at least 3 data points from the simulation, then debate in small groups.
9โ€“12 โฑ 60 min Debate + Writing
๐Ÿ“
Math ยท Statistics

Probability & Expected Value

Students run 100+ trials in the Probability Carnival, calculate expected value for each game, and determine the casino's theoretical edge. Extension: design a game where the house always wins.
10โ€“12 โฑ 55 min Statistical Analysis
๐Ÿ›๏ธ
Social Studies ยท World History

Primary Source Analysis: Egypt

Students excavate the Egypt Dig, then research one artifact using approved sources. They write a historical analysis comparing what the simulation showed vs. what historians record. HOTS focus: bias and perspective.
9โ€“11 โฑ 60 min Research Writing
๐Ÿš€
Physics ยท Astronomy

Kepler's Laws Investigation

Use Solar System Explorer to gather orbital period and distance data for all planets. Students plot Kepler's third law (Tยฒ vs. rยณ), calculate a regression line, and evaluate the fit. Lab report format.
10โ€“12 โฑ 70 min Lab Investigation
๐Ÿ–Š๏ธ
ELA ยท Research Writing

Synthesis Essay Workshop

Students synthesize information from two Arc simulations into a 5-paragraph essay answering: "How does studying the past help us prepare for the future?" Peer revision using AP scoring criteria.
10โ€“12 โฑ 80 min Essay Writing AP-Aligned
๐Ÿ“ˆ
Math ยท Modeling

Mathematical Modeling Sprint

Students pick any Arc simulation, extract numerical data, build a mathematical model (linear, quadratic, or exponential), and present their model with accuracy metrics to the class. 2-page write-up required.
11โ€“12 โฑ 90 min Modeling Project Advanced
๐ŸŽจ
Arts ยท Creative Expression

Simulation Storyboard

After exploring any simulation, students create a 6-panel storyboard retelling the experience as a narrative. Connects science or history content to creative writing and visual storytelling skills.
9โ€“12 โฑ 50 min Creative Project
๐Ÿค
SEL ยท Civics

Community Action Plan

Teams use climate data to identify a local environmental challenge and draft a 1-page community action plan. Includes stakeholder analysis, proposed actions, and a presentation slide. Real-world civic engagement.
9โ€“12 โฑ 75 min Civic Project

Works for Any Grade

Kโ€“12 Flexible
๐Ÿ”
Inquiry ยท Any Subject

Wonder Question Warm-Up

Open any Arc simulation for 5 minutes. Students write 2 wonder questions on sticky notes, share with a partner, and the class votes on the most interesting one to investigate together. No prep needed.
Kโ€“12 โฑ 10 min Discussion
๐ŸŽต
SEL ยท Brain Break

Arc Dance & Reflect

Pick a dance break, then add a 3-minute journaling prompt: "How did moving your body change how you feel? What do you notice?" Builds body awareness and emotional vocabulary at any age.
Kโ€“12 โฑ 10 min SEL + Movement
๐Ÿ…
Reflection ยท Goal Setting

Badge Earning Challenge

Students set a weekly exploration goal using their Student Profile, work toward earning a badge in one simulation, and reflect on what strategies helped them succeed. Builds growth mindset habits.
Kโ€“12 โฑ Ongoing Goal Setting
๐ŸŒ
ELA ยท Speaking

Virtual Field Trip Postcard

After visiting a virtual destination, students write (or draw) a postcard to someone back home: Where you are, what you saw, one surprising fact, and a question. Share aloud in 60 seconds each.
Kโ€“12 โฑ 20 min Speaking + Writing

Ready to Explore More?

Browse the full Arc Exploring simulation library โ€” Science, Math, History, and Astronomy all in one place. Every simulation works with these activities.

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