Unit Plan
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: Carbon Cycle

For Students 4th - 7th
The carbon cycle is one of the most important cycles. It is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. This cycle is important because it...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Earth's Outer Layers

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the various layers of the Earth.
Website
Rice University

Museums Teaching Planet Earth: Hydrosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
This tutorial looks at the hydrosphere, that component of the earth that is liquid water such as rivers, streams, oceans, and so on.
Article
Center for Educational Technologies

Classroom of the Future: Earth Spheres

For Students 9th - 10th
Everything in Earth's system can be placed into one of four major subsystems: land, water, living things, or air. These four subsystems are called "spheres." Specifically, they are the "lithosphere" (land), "hydrosphere" (water),...
Handout
California State University

Csu: The Sourcebook for Teaching Science: Earth Systems Interactions

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what the four spheres of the Earth are and describes how volcanic eruptions affect the different spheres. Also provides a list of events that are examples of interactions.
Interactive
University of Wisconsin

The Why Files: A Livable Earth Needs Air, Water, and Clouds

For Students 4th - 8th
Make Earth's climate livable by adding the right amount of air, water, and clouds to its surface and atmosphere.
Interactive
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Earth's Spheres

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out the tutorial which introduces the Earth's spheres. Viewers should be able to identify the Geosphere, Biosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Cryosphere and know their differences and similarities.
Website
Rice University

Rice University: Museums Teaching Planet Earth: What Is the Hydrosphere?

For Students 9th - 10th
Focus is on the hydrosphere and contains the definition as well as characteristics of the ocean and the effect of the ocean on climate.
Lesson Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: The Water Cycle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This site provides a comprehensive introduction to the water cycle. Students construct a model to simulate parts of the water cycle. Includes background information, links to standards, lesson plans, and assessment ideas.
Handout
eSchool Today

E School Today: Earth System

For Students 4th - 8th
Learn about the systems that make up Earth, and find out how they interact.
Handout
Center for Educational Technologies

Nasa: Classroom of the Future: Spheres: Hydrosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this site to learn about the millions and trillions of gallons of water that covers the earth, known as the hydrosphere.
Activity
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Splish Splash

For Students K - 1st
Students conduct a large-group brainstorming session on the various places where liquid water can be found on Earth. Then they create a list of places, such as oceans, lakes, rivers, aquifers and trace the path the water travels.
Handout
National Earth Science Teachers Association

Windows to the Universe: Biogeochemical Cycles

For Students 9th - 10th
Biogeochemical cycles happen when individual elements are recycled over and over in different parts of the Earth. Two examples are the Nitrogen Cycle and Carbon Cycle. Read an explanation of biogeochemical cycles and view a diagram of...
eBook
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Life Science: 12.15 Biosphere

For Students 5th - 9th
Understand Earth's biosphere which contains the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Lesson Plan
The Wonder of Science

The Wonder of Science: 5 Ess2 1: Earth Sphere Interactions

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.
Handout
University of California

Ucmp: Creating an Earth System: Interactions in the Earth System

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of the four spheres of the Earth, with an activity where students brainstorm interactions among them.
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Physical Geography

For Students 9th - 10th
Get a general grasp on the four spheres, five sub-fields, and two scales of physical geography.
Website
Geography 4 kids

Geography4 kids.com: Flowing Water

For Students 3rd - 8th
Take a look at the earth's hydrosphere. From liquid to glacier, to vapor, to oceans and clouds this text offers an overview for young researchers.
Lesson Plan
Canadian Museum of Nature

Canadian Museum of Nature: Let's Do Science Programs

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Site provides three lesson plans about global warming including one that discusses scenarios for future generations.
Website
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Global Climate Change: Hydrosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this site to explore real scientific data relating to the hydrosphere. With this information you can gather evidence, test theories, and come to conclusions. Click on the data examples to view a full scale version.