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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Write a Description

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Finding the central idea is the focus of this lesson. Middle schoolers write descriptions of different animals using details and descriptive language. They watch a video of kids using descriptive language, and then use showing language...
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Activity
PBS

Dear Pen Pal

For Teachers 1st - 6th Standards
Explore cultures from around the world with an engaging pen pal resource. Through a series of classroom activities and written correspondence, children learn about the favoritec pastimes, schooling, geography, and weather that is...
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Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Lesson Five: The Earth, Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Apply the principles of geology to a series of collaborative, hands-on class activities. Young earth scientists learn more about igneous, metamorphic, and sedentary rocks before classifying and weathering rocks that they find....
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Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Mesozoic Museum

For Students 6th - 12th
Mini museum curators create an exhibit that showcases the Mesozoic era. Pupils use their knowledge of dinosaurs to make informative posters, drawings, and dioramas. Following three steps to complete the hands-on activity, scholars read...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WET Science Lesson #11: How Light Affects Water

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Scientists listen to the story of Wadja Egnankou who works to save African mangrove forests. They experiment with refraction and the introduction of particulate matter to water. They conclude with creative writing about the need for a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roger the Rock

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Here is a creative way to assess your geologists' grasp of the rock cycle: have them write and illustrate a children's book in which the main character journeys though his life, i.e. the rock cycle! A brief student instruction sheet and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Commotion Activity - Dioramas

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Groups make a model of an Ocean Commotion exhibit based on what they saw during the fieldtrip. These dioramas can be used as an informal assessment of student knowledge acquired at Ocean Commotion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Constellations, a WebQuest Activity

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore space science by participating in a class WebQuest. In this constellation identification lesson, students view star charts based on the four seasons and identify the changes our sky goes through in the course of 12...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mountain Creation: A Drama Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore mountain formation. In this cross curriculum earth science and legend writing lesson, students listen to the poem "The Way to make Perfect Mountains" by Byrd Baylor and identify examples of vivid language used....
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Lesson Plan
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California Academy of Science

Rapid Brainstorming: How Can We Conserve Our Water Resources?

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
Water covers around 75 percent of the earth, yet humans struggle to find enough fresh water to live. The fourth of 10 lessons focusing on Fresh Solutions requires brainstorming. Young scientists consider various problems related to fresh...
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Lesson Plan
University of Arizona

The Exotic Vacation

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explain the concepts and vocabulary of Earth's rotation. They plan imaginary vacations based on the seasons in different locations. This is a very creative lesson plan, which students enjoy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build an Ice Cap

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research Earth science by conducting an experiment in class. In this ice-cap lesson, students identify what an ice cap is and create a biome using a box which measures 1 ft. x 1 ft. Students participate in an animal role-playing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hands on Biome--Building

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students create a model biome. In this ecology lesson, students use materials to create a model biome. There is an extension activity that allows students to write about plants and animals and their specific biome.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Play Doh Map of Your State

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students create a state map using Playdoh. In this hands-on state geography lesson, students work in groups to form a three-dimensional  map of their state using Playdoh made at home following a (given) recipe. Students use four colors...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Prairie Is...

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate different environments by creating a poem. In this prairie environment lesson, students research information about Kansas' natural resources and complete a worksheet about prairies.  Students practice using poetic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living With the Heat: The Ring of Fire

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate the planet Earth's infamous ring of fire and the life that thrives from it.  In this ocean environment lesson, students investigate hydrothermal vents and how organisms thrive off their heat.  Students complete a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adapting the Game Concentration

For Teachers 1st - 12th
I love classroom games, and this plan deftly describes how you can use the game Concentration across the curriculum to reinforce skills. I wish I would have thought of this when I was teaching this age level. These kinds of games are...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ape Cave

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students prepare for a field trip to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and exploration of Ape Cave (see also Ape Cave Exploration). In the absence of a field trip, students become acquainted with lava tubes in general.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patterned Paragraphs

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers reinforce the importance of being specific while dealing with events of a sequential nature, such as the phases of the moon.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Stream Char and Discharge: Interdisciplinary Approach

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this Interdisciplinary Field Investigation middle schoolers will combine science, math, geography, creative writing and art. The setting will be a local stream (site yet to be determined, Minnehaha or Vermillion) where 150 students...