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Interactive
PBS

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Earth's surface constantly changes thanks to a variety of geological forces; in fact, Australia currently moves faster than GPS technology. Scholars connect the idea of continental drift to earthquakes and volcanoes with the help of an...
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Cloudy vs. Clear - Graphs

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Explore the link between solar energy and cloud cover using real data from NASA from China! Future climatologists analyze and interpret graphs of solar energy on clear and cloudy days using a literacy cube. Investigators draw conclusions...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Seasons Worksheet #2

For Students 6th - 9th
A tilted Earth is shown in relation to the rays of light from the sun. Earth science superstars determine latitude, month, and time of day. They compare number of daylight hours for different points on Earth. The five multiple choice...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science: The Structure of the Earth

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students identify and complete activities about the structure of the Earth. In this Earth structure lesson, students view a Powerpoint about the Earth's layers and complete a diagram. students compare temperatures in the Earth's layers...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Reading in the 21st Century

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students interact with MapPoint tools to view maps of the past and the present in multiple ways. They participate in mini-lessons aimed at locating certain points of interest or famous routes taken in history.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasons on Earth

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how seasons occur and explore how the different angles effect surface heating.  In this climate lesson students interpret satellite maps of the world that show seasonal differences in plant life. 
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Exploring Earth Through Maps and Technology

For Students 5th - 6th
In this maps worksheet, students read 3 pages of detailed information about maps, latitude, longitude, topography, satellites and global positioning. Students then answer 10 questions. There is also a research project assignment available.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FUN WITH MAPS

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders receive a general overview about how maps are made and used, how specific information can be derived from them, and how a student can gain personal information about their surroundings from examining them.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Grids

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study map grids and explore how they can be used to locate positions of objects or features on a map. They read a story and then participate in a grid activity using a large map of the setting of the story.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Hawaiian Mountain Zones

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders watch a video that describes the climate and vegetation zones of Hawaii. They describe the different physical conditions that create vegetation zones from the sea to the mountains. In groups, they create an illustrated...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography of South America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Student's identify geographic features of a South American map. They use the scale of the map to calculate distances between points. They identify examples of the five geographic themes on the map of South America.
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Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

Constructive and Destructive Geologic Processes

For Teachers 8th Standards
Show the class the world as they've never seen it before—from way above! Learners try to unravel the mysteries presented by rich satellite imagery, learn to interpret topographic maps, and study erosion by constructing their very own...
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Activity
It's About Time

Taking a Ride on a Lithospheric Plate

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Assist your pupils and broaden their horizons with several activities that determine the exact positioning of various communities over the globe. Pupils use data from the Global Positioning System to determine the position and rate of...
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Unit Plan
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Curated OER

Earthquakes: Second Grade Lesson Plans and Activities

For Teachers 2nd Standards
What causes earthquakes? Second graders learn about stresses from plate movement with a set of hands-on activities. After tracing fault lines on a map with yarn, class members create a paper plate model of Earth to show its layers and...
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Unit Plan
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Curated OER

Plate Tectonics: Fifth Grade Lesson Plans and Activities

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders continue their investigation of the plate tectonics cycle with an exploration of the movement of Earth's crust. During the lab, young geologists conduct an experiment to discover the result of different types of stress...
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Lesson Plan
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi

Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Young scholars observe a presentation on plate tectonics, layers of the earth, and plate boundaries. They then use the Internet to research major plates and label them on a world map.
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Lesson Plan
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Planetary Distances on the Playground

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
There's no need to stay inside; get out of the classroom and create a scaled map of the solar system on your playground field! In collaborative groups, scholars identify the distance between the sun and other planets, place planet...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Working With Electronic Topography Maps

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Junior geologists examine topographic maps online and learn how to read them. they answer seven associated follow-up questions. This lesson plan is only a general outline and does not provide the details or the websites that you would...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Global Grapefruit - Maps vs Globes

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
Students tell how maps differ from globes, state some characteristics of 3 different types of map projections, and realize that distortions are inherent in various systems of map projections.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Maps as Models of Earth

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders use different types of maps to find locations and surface features.  In this map-reading lesson students use a compass to find direction.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading Weather Maps

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders the symbols that are used on weather maps. They develop five day forecasts based on information they gather from weather maps in the newspaper and on the Internet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey Through Earth

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students study plate tectonics.  In this plate tectonics lesson students build a cutaway scale model of the Earth. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cartographer on Assignment: Creating a Physical Map of Africa

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Students use geographic information to make an outline map of Africa, then demonstrate their understanding of the physical landscape of Africa by using a variety of materials to create a physical map of Africa
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explosive Ideas: Oregon quarter reverse

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Explore Earth and her amazing layers with this lesson on planetary change. Students will research the ways in which Earth's layers cause change. They will complete a "Tectonic Puzzle" and use a worksheet to answer questions about Earth's...