Earth Science Lesson Plans

Wrap-up your study on earth science with a scientifically-researched essay. Young scientists select a specific area of earth science to research and write a two-page essay about it. They critique each other's work and judge credibility of the research. Citing information and sources are a big part of this assignment. Very rigorous and relevant to the scientific community!

What a creative way to explore earth science. Have your class simulate the mining of natural resources. Using Play-Doh, learners recreate the core drilling process to determine the amount of minerals present. They write a detailed lab report describing the process they followed.

Students explore stalactites and stalagmites. For this earth science cave lesson, students view and discuss "Exploring Caves." Students work in groups to create a model of stalactites and stalagmites. Students observe and record changes in their model, followed by class discussion.

Springboard your fourth and fifth graders into the study geologic time. They will complete 7 activities to learn about geologic time and the topics most often associated with it: astronomy, creation, planet formation, volcanology, chemistry, and ecology. They will also explore the concept of visualizing geologic time throughout the activities.

Third graders observe the moon as it changes its appearance in a lunar cycle.  For this earth science lesson, 3rd graders record, using a T-chart, what the moon looks like each night for a week.  They discuss their observations, watch a PowerPoint lesson online, and make a moon phase booklet.

Students make predictions about the cause and effect relationship between the earth's surface and natural forces.  In this "weathering" earth science lesson, students explore, observe, and record observations and changes that occur when rocks and water are frozen or experience friction. Students view a PowerPoint presentation on weathering, then revise their concept map and predictions accordingly.

Eighth graders study the structure and composition of the atmosphere and explore weather and climate.  In this Earth Science instructional activity students observe a lab on dew, fill out a worksheet and answer questions. 

Students simulate the Earth's revolution around the sun using CEENBoT. For this earth science lesson students calculate the Earth's distance in AU and it's speed of revolution. They explain how the Earth's movement cause seasonal variation.

Learners investigate the effects of UV radiation. In this earth science lesson, students explain how the time of day relate to UV abundance on Earth. They determine if weather affects the amount of UV that Earth receives.

Seventh graders design an experiment to test the effects of water erosion to certain materials. In this earth science lesson plan, 7th graders collect data from their experiment. They discuss ways to prevent erosion.