Why Use Skill Builders in Your Classroom?
Skill builders are real-world inspired lessons that focus on the practice of a key skill. They are designed for students to engage in independent practice over one class period. However, many also include teacher guidance to introduce an instructional element.
Real World Skill Builders follow one of several formats:
Essentials
Students answer questions and undertake tasks in a real-world scenario or relating to a real-world topic. The focus is on repeated practice of a skill.
Available in Math grades K-3 and ELA grades K-6. Check them out!
Crime Scene Decoders – Case Crackers
Students answer questions focused on a skill in order to piece together clues and solve a crime.
Available in Math grades 3-12 and ELA grades 7-12. Check them out!
Crime Scene Decoders
Students answer challenging questions built around a traditional unit of content. After solving each crime scene, they are able to determine who committed the crime.
Available in Math grades 3-12. Check them out!
Profile Puzzles
Students answer questions focused on a skill in order to gather information about an important and influential person.
Available in Math grades 3-12. Check them out!
Are Skill Builder Editions Available?
NextLesson builds multiple editions of some Skill Builders to offer students and teachers options. The lesson standards, premise, and structure stay the same, but the topic changes to reflect each edition.
For example, Superhero Shape Attributes is a 1st-grade math Essential in which students identify defining and non-defining characteristics of simple shapes. Students can practice this skill in the context of their favorite superhero, which changes depending on the edition.
Superhero Shape Attributes Editions:
- Batman
- Captain America
- Flash
- Iron Man
- Mr. Incredible
- Superman
NextLesson Blog 