K12 Reader
World Climates
Why is weather different around the world? Learn about world climates with a reading comprehension passage. Kids read a short passage before answering five comprehension questions based on context clues.
California Academy of Science
Tropical Belt
Where in the world is the equator? Explore a world map with your class, coloring in oceans, continents, and rainforests while locating the three major lines of latitude: the equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn. Discuss how...
Space Awareness
The Intertropical Convergence Zone
Young scientists know it is hotter along the equator, but why is it also rainier? Through the process of completing two experiments and a worksheet, scholars discover the answer is the intertropical convergence zone. First, they...
Living Rainforest
Finding the Rainforests
From Brazil to Indonesia, young scientists investigate the geography and climate of the world's tropical rain forests with this collection of worksheets.
Curated OER
Rain Forest Adventures
Students identify and describe where tropical rain forests are located and examine the geographical correlation between rainfall and rain forest. They brainstorm what they think they know about tropical rain forests - where they're...
Curated OER
Rising Air
Students investigate the concept of rising air in the formation of clouds and precipitation. In this rising air lesson, students conduct an experiment with hot and cold water that shows how warm water rises due to thermal buoyancy. They...
Curated OER
Cacao Tree Geography
Students use a map to learn about where chocolate comes from. For this lesson on the cacao tree, students locate various regions where the cacao tree grows. They will discuss why the cacao tree grows more favorably in particular climates...
Curated OER
Ozone Hole Expert Groups
Research topics associated with the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. Researchers write five facts about their topic and one question for each of those facts. They present what they learned to the rest of the class. Six topics are...
Curated OER
Treetures
Students identify the different forests of the world and some of the characteristics that differentiate them. They explore old magazines, calendars and photos and fill out a scavenger hunt worksheet.
Alabama Learning Exchange
The Sun and the Earth
Third graders study and diagram the positions of the Earth and sun during the four seasons. They predict weather for cities in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Curated OER
What is the Rainforest?
Students investigate rainforests. For this rainforest lesson, students brainstorm on a KWL chart about what they already know about the rain forest. Students are shown pictures of the rain forest and describe what they see in the photos....
Curated OER
Tropical Treehouse
Learners examine the tropical rainforest and issues involving the uses of rainforests. They explore the plants and animals that live in each level of the tropical rainforest. Students examine and discuss a case study involving the rights...
Curated OER
Introduction to Earth Sun Relationships Incorporating P.E.
Third graders investigate space science by performing physical activities. In this solar system instructional activity, 3rd graders perform a relay activitiy with their class in which they race between different "planets". Students...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension: Oceans
For this ocean comprehension worksheet, students read a short passage, then complete 4 short answer questions about oceans. Worksheet contains a link to additional activities.