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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Search for El Nino

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete an El Nino scavenger hunt. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders describe the conditions that create El Nino and compare it to normal condition. They discuss how this phenomenon affects marine ecosystem.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing the Effects of El Nino and La Nina

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine the differences between an El Nino and La Nina year.  In this investigative lesson students create maps and graphs of the data they obtained. 
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Lesson Plan
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NOAA

El Niño

For Teachers 9th - 12th
El Nino, La Nina ... and the Santa Maria? The 11th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program explains the mechanism of El Nino/Southern Oscillation. Pupils use previous data to determine...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Pacific and El Niño

For Teachers 5th - 7th
El Nino, and the climate changes that go along with it, are the focus of this Earth Science lesson. Learners pay particular attention to the wind patterns that are established on Earth, and look at weather maps to see how El Nino can...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tracking El Nino Conditions

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students identify major changes in ocean temperatures during an El Nino season.  In this climate lesson students complete an Internet assignment using datasets to determine periods of El Nino.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chasing El Niño

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students view a video clip about the effects of El Nino. They work together to develop a question about weather folklore. They participate in an experiment that tests their hypothesis.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

El Nino and Its Effects

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research El Nino and its effects all over North America using Web Resources. Working in teams, they present their findings. They look for connections and relationships between animal behavior and climate.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fishing for El Nino

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explain why fish are in their usual location from the perspective of a worker on a fishing boat. They use clues clues, research, and a fake letter from their friend in North Carolina to determine the cause is El Nino.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather and Climate: storms

For Teachers 9th
The main types of storms are described in this presentation and characteristic facts are given. The main details thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and winter storms formations are listed. Geographical features that affect weather...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students analyze the impact of climate variability and change utilizing a broad span of topics over a wide range of grade levels. This three lesson unit is easily adapted for the various instructional levels listed.
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Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Branching Out – Exploring Dendrochronology

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Tree rings from North America give a continuous history of El Nino intensity over the last 1,100 years. Scholars learn how scientists use tree rings to create timelines demonstrating variations in weather patterns. The cumulative...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students examine the potential impact of climate change to agriculture, coastal areas, forests, water, and human health. They hypothesize what might happen to a sugar maple forest and hold a debate about global warming.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glaciers As Indicators of Global Climate Change

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students research about glacial ice melting on the four major spheres of the Earth. In this earth science instructional activity, students explain how this process relates to global warming. They create a presentation and share their...
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Lesson Plan
NASA

The Case of the Wacky Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Join the tree house detectives in learning about the processes of the water cycle, water conservation, water treatment, and water as a limited resource.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oceans and Weather

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students analyze the impact the ocean and its currents have on weather. For this oceans and weather lesson, students analyze data comparing inland and coastal weather, and analyze satellite data for evidence of El Nino.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Burning Up! A Look at Global Warming

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate global warming. In this global warming lesson, students watch movies about global warming, discuss problems in their local community and see how communities have changed over time. Students realize the importance of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Temperatures

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Learners list data collected by marine buoys and the different kinds of moored buoys. They describe how data is transmitted worldwide. They explain the difference between near shore and offshore air and water temperatures.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oceans

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use their prior knowledge to being their examination of the water cycle. In groups, they complete an experiment in which they can see water evaporating and coming back to the ground. They discover the ocean's water evaporates...