Lesson Plan
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Minerals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the world of minerals. They classify minerals into their protective categories. Students analyze minerals with their different colors, textures and components. They bring in an example of a mineral to class to share with...
Lesson Plan
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Surface Water and Groundwater

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine distribution of water and minerals. In this surface and groundwater instructional activity, students conduct an experiment with fresh and salt water making hypothesis and drawing conclusions about minerals. 
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Mining for Mmm-minerals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore minerals and examine environmental impact of mining through simulation.
Lesson Plan
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The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Learners 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.
Lesson Plan
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Geology Rocks

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss information relating to Illinois geology. They examine top mineral resources in Illinois to find detailed information about geodes and where they can be found. Students complete geode lab to explore external structure of...
Lesson Plan
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Crystal Growing

For Teachers 1st - 9th
Students grow crystals and document their observations by recording timeing and growth. Additional characteristics of crystals are observed under a black light, by growing under different conditions and mineral content is determined.
Worksheet
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The Metamorphic Rocks Worksheet

For Students 5th - 7th
In this earth science worksheet, students read about the evolution of metamorphic rock, the most common types, and the make-up of metamorphic rock. They look at diagrams of the intensity of metamorphism before answering 7 short answer...
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The Formation of Soil

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers identify the different components that make up soil. For this earth science lesson, students create a pamphlet for next year's class. They analyze how erosion and weathering shape the Earth.
Worksheet
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Influential Scientists Vocabulary Quiz

For Students 5th - 6th
In this science vocabulary worksheet, students match the names of 19 science professionals with the definition. Example: Ichthyologist (studies fish).
Lesson Plan
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Is There Water on Mars?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students decide whether or not there is or has even been water on Mars. They analyze temperature and pressure data from the Pathfinder mission to Mars, and then they analyze images of Mars, interpreting the landforms they see and...
Lesson Planet Article
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Exploring the Rock Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 8th
An understanding of the rock cycle is essential in geology and earth science classes.
Worksheet
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Influential Scientists Vocabulary Multiple Choice Worksheet

For Students 4th - 6th
In this science vocabulary activity, students read the names of science professionals. From three choices, students choose the correct definition for each word.
Lesson Plan
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Strong Chemistry

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars research and create a poster about a gemstone. In this mineral properties lesson, students view a video about diamonds. They discuss the properties of minerals and choose a gemstone to research and create a poster.
Lesson Plan
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For Creative Minds

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study pictures of plants, animals, and minerals. Students classify the pictures into the three groups. In this rock identification lesson, students complete a rock finding lab experiment by finding, cleaning, identifying, and...
Organizer
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Geology Word List

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, students review the vocabulary words for the separate categories related to the concept of geology.
Worksheet
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Rocks and Fossils Word Search Puzzle

For Students 5th - 8th
In this earth science word search learning exercise, learners locate 13 rocks and minerals words hidden in a puzzle. They find words that are found in a word bank at the bottom of the page.
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Water Conservation

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Open learners' eyes to the challenge of finding safe drinking water – something we often take for granted in our country. The PowerPoint presentation includes images, graphs, diagrams, and even a video to stimulate discussion on how we...
Worksheet
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Dinosaurs

For Students 5th - 6th
In this earth science worksheet, students match each vocabulary term, that names something specific related to earth science, with its correct description found in the right column. They identify different types of scientists and various...
Lesson Plan
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Environment" The Mining Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils explore the world of mining and explain its importance in daily life. After describing how companies search for mineral deposits, they examine the environmental consequences of mining as well as the positive aspects. The lesson...
Worksheet
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Mining the Web

For Students 6th - 9th
In this rock and mineral learning exercise, students visit http://sciencespot.net and explore a variety of sites about rocks and minerals in order to complete questions about geology, the rock cycle, and rock creations.
Lesson Plan
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Science: What Is the Carbon Cycle?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the carbon cycle while identifying its sources, sinks, and release agents. Using magazines and newspapers, groups of students design collages illustrating the carbon cycle. Finally, they write responses to several...
Lesson Plan
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Disappearing Sand

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students discover what sand looks like, how sand dunes form and what minerals can be found in sand. They also examine how beach erosion occurs. They explore how to stay safe at the beach.
Worksheet
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Blast It! (Learning About Copper)

For Students 5th - 8th
Opening with background information on copper use and mining, this worksheet assesses junior geologists' reading comprehension. A map activity is available, but the map is not. There is a useful set of vocabulary matching cards and a...
Lesson Plan
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Pond Ecosystem Field Trip

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students investigate the environment by participating in a class trip. In this pond ecosystem lesson, students define a list of vocabulary terms associated with ponds such as invertebrate and metamorphosis. Students attend a field trip...