Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waste Not Want Not

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students are introduced to the need to save natural resources. Through inquiry, hands-on activities, and problem solving, students increase their understanding of solid waste materials and the need to reduce, recycle, and reuse.
Lesson Plan
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The Paleozoic Era

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students access prior knowledge to create a chart of eras. In this Paleozoic era instructional activity, students research the Paleozoic era to find information to create dioramas. Students participate in fossil activities.
Lesson Plan
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Aging of Trees

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students examine tree rings to determine its age.  In this tree ring lesson, students examine core tree samples, identify the tree rings, and then determine its age. Students complete a worksheet, deciding which of the two core...
Lesson Plan
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Weathering and Erosion: Some Ways the Hydrosphere Affects the Geosphere

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explain the causes of erosion, describe the effects of erosion, and devise a method of preventing erosion. They model the before-and-after-effects of erosion.
Worksheet
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Why is the Ocean Salty?

For Students 6th - 10th
In this ocean salt worksheet, students read about the processes that have lead to the salt content in the ocean. Then students complete 5 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
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Classification

For Teachers K - 12th
Students gather and classify samples of a given item (rocks, fossils, seeds, etc.) They discuss various ways of classifying and that there are many different ways that are acceptable.
Worksheet
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Igneous Rocks Worksheet

For Students 4th - 8th
In this geology exploration worksheet, students complete 27 short answer questions about the properties and locations of igneous rocks. Teacher must provide text or internet link.
Worksheet
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What Is A Fossil?

For Students 5th - 6th
For this fossils worksheet, students read 13 clues pertaining to fossils. Students fit their answers in a crossword puzzle. There is no word bank.
Lesson Plan
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How Coal is Mined

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Pupils examine various methods for mining coal. They discuss the various methods of coal mining, and complete a worksheet, reading statements and selecting either surface mining or deep mining as the appropriate type of mining.
Lesson Plan
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Processes of the Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore, predict, and create each major rock form (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous) with colored modeling clay, discover cycle of rock formation, and examine important relationships of heat and pressure in rock development.
Lesson Plan
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Earthquake!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study causes, probability and location of earthquakes. They complete a number of activities and look at web pages to examine the characteristics of earthquakes.
Lesson Plan
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Water Pollution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study four samples of "rain water". They asked to determine the pH of the samples and then to neutralize them. Students are asked to predict any negative effects which might be associated with water having a low pH and to...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Natural Resources and Your Christmas Tree

For Students 6th - 8th
In this natural resources and your Christmas tree worksheet, students read about the raw materials used to make items associated with Christmas trees, match 12 items with materials, then color a picture.
Worksheet
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Knowledge Quiz

For Students 4th - 6th
For this oceans quiz worksheet, students complete a 10 question multiple choice quiz covering a variety of concepts related to the ocean.
Lesson Plan
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Hot Rocks

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students demonstrate that setting of plaster and cement is a change, which involves a release of heat energy, use data collected experimentally to construct comparison graphs and analyze the graphs to make predictions about future...
Lesson Plan
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Corals and Coral Reefs

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars label the continents, oceans, and seas on a provided world map and use it to determine where they would expect most of the world's coral reefs to be found based on provided information the teacher has read to them.
Lesson Plan
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Geology of Yosemite

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students are shown slides of Yosemite and explore how the valley was formed by performing an experiment. Instructions on how to set up the lab are included. They can be assessed orally or by writing a report on the outcome of the lab.
Lesson Plan
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the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability And Change

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students analyze the consequences of changing variables on a system. Changes in a model are measured and recorded and conclusions drawn based on the data provided in this six lessons unit.
Lesson Plan
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Origin of Coal

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore how coal is formed. They then discuss the information and answer any questions that they may have on the formation of coal. Students then answer questions in reference to the coal discussion and reading.
Lesson Plan
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Let's Go! Virtual Yellowstone Tour

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils research the geologic wonders of Yellowstone National Park. They locate the main geologic features of Yellowstone on a map of the park. Students write a description of the geologic features to be included on the map for a...
Lesson Plan
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Modeling the Rock Cycle

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore the differences in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. They discuss the rock cycle of the different formations. Students discuss how rock is formed into different shapes. They explore, predict, and create...
Lesson Plan
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Jupiter's "Monstrous" Magnetosphere

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore Jupiter's magnetosphere. In this Jupiter lesson, students examine a diagram of the magnetic field that surrounds Jupiter.
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Color

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine NASA's SeaWiFS Project Web site to explore how the SeaWiFS Project monitors environmental and climatic changes in the oceans and atmosphere. They answer questions and write a summary in support of continued funding for...
Worksheet
Curated OER

From Granite to Paper

For Students 6th - 9th
In this weathering instructional activity, students read about physical and chemical weathering and how kaolin in used in paper. Then students complete 4 short answer questions.