Activity
K-State Research and Extensions

Water

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
How are maps like fish? They both have scales. The chapter includes six different activities at three different levels. Scholars complete activities using natural resources, learn how to read a map, see how to make a compass rosette,...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Carbon Cycle Poster

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Humans can have a big impact on the environment, specifically the influence they have on the carbon cycle. First, the class will define and discuss each of the earths four major spheres, the biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and...
Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

It's the Heat and the Pressure?

For Teachers 6th Standards
Ready for a change? Give a comprehensive collection of metamorphic materials a try! With the assortment of printables and lab activities, you won't be under pressure to keep things lively. The unit culminates by having...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Take a Rock Apart!

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine a crushed rock and sort the minerals they find in that rock by color and other properties.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Metamorphic Rock Pancakes

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students identify the properties of a metamorphic rock. They make delicious pancakes on a hot griddle at school to simulate how metamorphic rocks are made.
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania State University

Learn, Protect, and Promote Water

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
A hands-on activity helps learners explore the water cycle. After discussing how they use water, classes discuss water pollution and then move into a simulation where 20 pupils move through the water cycle based on description cards. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Change: Carbon Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore the carbon cycle. In this carbon cycle instructional activity, students discuss the four main reservoirs where carbon is stored and then discover the process through which each reservoir absorbs and releases CO2. This...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explain the processes involved in the rock cycle. In this earth science lesson, students identify the different kinds of rocks. They complete a worksheet during the activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Google Earth Geology Field Trip

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students take a virtual field trip around California using Google Earth. In this geology field trip lesson, students explore landforms and a variety of rocks located in California.  Students compare environments where rocks are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Famous Rock Groups

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students define igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary, and use rock identification books to identify igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Students then discuss which rocks early man would have found useful for tool creation.
Lesson Plan
Project SMART

Rocks and Minerals: Touch the Earth

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students complete a unit of lessons on rocks and minerals. They conduct research, write e-mail questions to geologists, write daily journal entries, label maps demonstrating types of rocks/minerals found, and create a web page that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion And the Cycling of Rocks And Minerals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the concept of erosion by water in a problem solving activity. In small groups, they are assigned either sand, potting soil or rocks to construct a mountain that will hold up to a sprinkler can of water dripping on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the world is the Hydra Electron?

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Walk your class through the journey water takes once it leaves your kitchen sink, all the way through the water cycle. Demonstrations support your lecture. This plan is thoroughly written, but ideally you would follow it up with water...
Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Carbon and Climate

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The carbon cycle is natural and has happened for millions of years, so can humans change it? Young scientists play the role of carbon as they travel through the carbon cycle. They complete two rounds, once before the industrial...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Never-ending Story

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners identify three main types of rocks found in a rocks and sediments booklet. Students identify and interpret the rock cycle to use in the activity. Learners identify and classify rocks into the correct rock group. Students draw...
Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

What is in that?

For Teachers 6th Standards
Invite your class to dig in to an engaging journey into the world of mining! Here you'll find the tools to equip young miners with knowledge of soil, rocks, and minerals, as well as types of mining operations. To round things out, the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layering the Soil

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners study and classify soil. In this soil science lesson plan, students classify soil by texture and size and study soil horizons. Learners label the soil types with their specific soil horizon and learn about permafrost. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

'Round and 'Round it Goes!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students discuss and interpret background knowledge on poster copy given on the water cycle. Students complete the included activity sheets using the poster as a reference in small groups. Students identify and name where water can be...
Activity
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NOAA

The Incredible Carbon Journey: Play the Carbon Journey Game

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Class members explore the carbon cycle in the final installment of the 10-part Discover Your Changing World series. They play a simulation game where they walk through the steps carbon takes as it cycles through the different layers...
Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Geometry 3D Shapes: Euler's Theorem

For Students 6th - 10th Standards
How do you get a theorem named after you? Euler knows what it takes! The third lesson of five asks pupils to use an interactive activity to compare the faces, vertices, and edges of seven different three-dimensional solids. They use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate Tectonic Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore the Earth's movements by completing worksheets. In this plate tectonics activity, students define such natural disasters as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and mudslides and discuss their connections to plate tectonics....
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Carbon Cycle

For Students 5th - 12th
In this carbon cycle worksheet, students will read about the carbon cycle and study a diagram showing what creates carbon dioxide and what uses carbon dioxide. Students will then complete 4 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology Activities: Rock Making

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students create their own gems using a simple experiment and learning process in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Franklin Mountains

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students review the steps of the rock cycle. In groups, they identify the natural forces that cause weathering and erosion. They describe how sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks might be formed in nature to end the instructional...