Idea Sheets
RAFT Idea Sheets are easy-to-use hands-on experience guides linked to core curriculum topics. Every Idea Sheet is cross-referenced to one or more of the curriculum subjects listed in the California Content Standards. Use this Idea Sheets Search Tool to rapidly pinpoint activities that are perfectly suited to the grade level, subject area, and content standard you want to cover.
Idea Sheets are based on readily-available, low-cost materials such as cardboard tubes, bottle caps, old CD's, etc. Over 500 Idea Sheets are available at no cost on www.raft.net.
RAFT's hands-on experiences are designed to require a minimum of background knowledge and preparation time.
Many Idea Sheets have quick links to take you to supporting videos. The videos contain easy to follow step-by-step instructions.
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1000 Wins
Adding 3-digit numbers gets easier with this easy-to-learn and fun-to-play card game.
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2-Tubaphones
Make an instrument with an adjustable pitch to explore the science of sound waves and the art of music!
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31
This card game helps students learn to add numbers in their heads. The objective of the game is to get as close to 31 with any number of cards, without going over 31.
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3D Topo Views
This modeling activity can be used to teach topographic map-reading skills. Students draw a fictitious topographic map, and then transfer the map to stacking lids, producing a great 3-dimensional effect.
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3D Tree
A bit of cutting and stapling will produce wonderful, little trees that stand up on their own. Decorate the tree for a great winter holiday project, or create several trees of various sizes to make a tabletop scene.
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9 Digits in a 3x3 Matrix
Students explore addition problems with two 3 digit numbers and discover patterns that help find solutions and double check arithmetic answers.
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Abacus Primer
The abacus is an ancient tool for doing calculations. This activity uses a simplified abacus to teach place value. Each bead represents 1 in the given place, and students can use it to get a visual understanding that 10 beads in a given place (1s, 10s, 100s) can be represented by a single bead in the place to its left (10s, 100s, 1000s).
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Abacus Variations
This easily created version of an abacus can teach place value and show how different cultures calculate. Abaci can even be based on math systems other than base 10!
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Absorbing the Rays
Using UV beads as detectors, the ability of sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV radiation from the Sun is tested.
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Add It Up Students will have fun playing this game as they develop strategic thinking with numbers and practice addition facts
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Air Pressure - Feel it!
Let your students experience air pressure in a new way with this easily made device that will add a pressure equal to one atmosphere to a square centimeter of skin.
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Air under Pressure
Explore a compressed gas and a partial vacuum with this air pressure demonstrator.
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Air - a Pressing Matter
Students are in for a surprise when they attempt to lift a mat that is held in place by only the air that is pressing down from above
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All Charged Up
Charge up this plastic tube with a quick rub and watch the little balls dance!
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All Tied Up
Challenge your students with these wonderful, complex, historical knots! Not only do knots have their place in history, learning to tie knots using visual directions appeals to the visual as well as the kinesthetic learner, and helps develop spatial skills.
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Amazing Magnetic Worms
Geometry, design, architecture, creativity, science... This activity has it all! In this activity, students get the opportunity to design and build a home for magnetic "pet worms", and then enjoy bringing their worms to life.
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Anamorphic Art
In this unique interdisciplinary activity, students use science, math, and art skills to create an image on a curved grid. The resulting image appears distorted and may be difficult to recognize... until it is viewed with a cylindrical mirror! The image that "magically" appears is just science, math and art all mixed together with a mirror.
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Animal Cells
Gain a deeper understanding of the structures and functions found in animal cells by creating a model from repurposed materials.
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Animatch
Match the animals in this great identification game for young students.
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Animated Flip Book
This fun activity will give students the opportunity to create basic animations that can help them understand how motion pictures and the human eye work.