Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prehistoric Discoveries

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars agree or disagree with several statements about ancient animals, then read a news article about recent prehistoric discoveries. In this earth science and current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sunlight and Warm Air

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars examine the different ways heat can be felt.  In this radiation and conduction instructional activity, students recognize that the sun radiates heat. Young scholars conduct three experiments to find how the sun warms...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greenhouse in a Bottle

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students create models of the greenhouse effect using recycled 2-liter bottles. They discuss how their models compares to the real greenhouse effect the earth experiences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watershed Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students are introduced to the concepts of a watershed, stream flow and water quality. This five-day plan is an excellent way to introduce students to the concepts involved. They create their own watershed using a paper bag, water and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Energy Experiment

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students observe solar energy at work. In this science lesson, students watch two bottles, painted black and white, sit in the heat with balloons on the mouth of the bottles. They observe and discuss why the balloon of the black bottle...
Interactive
Curated OER

Sunspots and the Sun's Rotation

For Students 6th - 9th
In this sun worksheet, students use a Sunspotter to observe the rotation of the sun by identifying the presence of sunspots and watching them rotate over time. Students calculate how many days it takes to see the sunspots they observe in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Far Out!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and compare/contrast how routine tasks on Earth would be without gravity. They read and discuss the article "The Life Galactic: A Lot of Work, a Little Play, Plenty of E-Mail." In groups they write a pitch for a TV...
Organizer
Curated OER

Fitting In-Animals' Adaptations to Their Environment

For Students 3rd - 6th
For this animals' adaptation to their environment worksheet, students read for comprehension and ability to apply knowledge. In this T-Chart and creative activities worksheet, students answer three questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Environmental Puzzle: The Carbon Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introducced to how respiration and photosysnthesis cycle carbon through ecosystems. They read background information that describes the role of the Sun as Earth's ultimate energy source and explains how the energy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Hounds

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students receive a basis for understanding the three main classifications of rock: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. They engage in a hands-on activity designed to give them an appreciation for rocks and minerals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nomad Land

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the migratory movements of animals as they monitor their own movements throughout the school day. Climatic and feeding conditions are examined as cues for the movement.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Many Birds Would It Take To Keep A Jackal Alive?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the role of large families in some animal populations. They work together to complete an activity related to food supply. They discover the relationship between preys and predators.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Corals & Coral Reefs

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students describe a coral reef, how it is formed and its inhabitants. They explain the ecological and economic importance of coral reefs and discuss its present-day threats. Lesson contains adaptations for all levels.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tiger, Panthera Tigris

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore tigers, India's national animal, discuss importance of protecting tigers and Earth's diverse ecosytems, investigate distribution of tigers in world, identify characteristics of tigers, examine natural habitat, and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Ask Rustle the Leaf About...Acid Rain

For Students 6th - 8th
In this acid rain worksheet, students read about acid rain from a leaf's perspective. They fill in the blanks with 9 terms to complete a paragraph about acid rain. They also are given 8 clues to complete a crossword puzzle. Their is a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three Clouds Activity

For Teachers K - 8th
Students explore how clouds are produced through three different age-appropriate hands-on experiments.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Earth: The Water Planet

For Teachers 6th
Students elicit data on the water cycle, ocean topography, and island formation in this six lesson unit. The ocean floor and the properties of water are examined through a variety of discussions and hands-on experiments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth and Space Science: Exploring Earthquakes

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore earthquakes. In this earthquake lesson, students research earthquakes and identify where they take place. Students use map skills to track down earthquake locations. There are internet sites suggested in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science: Create a Star Clock!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students identify and use the starts to tell time just as people had for thousands of years. They identify the stars that appear to rise in the east and set in the west, and that those stars near the North Pole appear to go in circles...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beyond the Earth Part II

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore the solar system. In this solar system lesson plan, students use Internet and print resources to research a component of the solar system. Students create travel brochures based on their research findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plotting Sunspot Activity

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore how to graph sunspots using a solar graph.  In this sunspots lesson students investigate sunspots and complete and evaluation worksheet. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Big Burp:A Bad Day in the Paleocene

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students describe the overall events that occurred during the Paleocene extinction event as well as the processes that are believed to result in global warming after group research. They infer how a global warming event could have...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting through the day duck style

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners are introduced to how animals (and ourselves) cope with daily life. They discover that living things need certain conditions to survive. Students investigate how living things (including ourselves and a duck) have special...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Air?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students investigate air by participating in a class experiment. In this matter measurement lesson, students identify air as a gas which consists of mass. Students utilize a windsock or balloon to measure oxygen and explore it's true...