Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet Structure & Interior

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students compare Jupiter and Earth. In this Earth and space studies instructional activity, students compare the composition of Earth and Jupiter and analyze how the composition affects the rate at which the planets spin.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The City From the Ooze

For Teachers K - 9th
Students investigate the life in the mud found around ponds. They create Ooze City using pond mud. Students investigate the various layers that form and what type of organisms are in the mud.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blazing Gas

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read and discuss the sun and the energy we use on Earth from the sun. In this sun lesson plan, 4th graders discuss the solar system, planets, and answer short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea Activities

For Teachers K
Students explore the sea. In this biology lesson plan, student investigate sea creatures, and sea water. Students discover how to convert sea water into fresh drinking water as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle and Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore the water cycle. In this investigative lesson, students examine the water cycle process. They will record their observations and discuss marine and freshwater ecosystems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A DISAPPEARING ACT Astronomy: Do Stars Always Shine?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students observe why stars are not visible during the day with a classroom demonstration using an index card punched with holes.
Handout
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Layers of Earth's Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the layers of Earth's atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: The Layers of the Earth's Atmosphere

For Students 6th - 8th
Find out about the five layers of the atmosphere in this resource which provides loads of information about the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Layers of the Atmosphere Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide reviews the main points to know about atmospheric layers. Includes several questions to check for understanding.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Facts About the Thermosphere

For Students 4th - 8th
Learn facts about the thermosphere, one of the five layers of the atmosphere.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Facts About Mesosphere That Highlight Its Importance

For Students 4th - 8th
Learn facts about the mesosphere, one of the five layers of the atmosphere.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Little Known Scientific Facts About the Stratosphere

For Students 4th - 8th
Learn facts about the stratosphere, one of the five layers of the atmosphere.
Activity
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Virtual Ballooning to Explore the Atmosphere Activity

For Students 9th - 10th
In this computer-based virtual lab, students will learn about the layers of Earth's atmosphere by launching virtual balloons to collect temperature and pressure data at various altitudes. Given a limited number of balloon flights,...
Handout
Other

Niwa: Layers of the Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
A website providing information about the layers of the atmosphere. Understand that the layers are broken down into the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere based on temperature. Each layer is described giving...
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Facts About the Atmosphere Layers

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides information about the five layers of Earth's atmosphere. Also discusses the satellites that orbit the Earth in the atmosphere.
Professional Doc
Science Struck

Science Struck: Exosphere Facts

For Students 4th - 8th
Learn facts about the exosphere, one of the five layers of the atmosphere.
Handout
NOAA

Noaa: The Ionosphere [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
SEC produced several articles to help teachers teach about space weather. This one covers the ionosphere. It covers the characteristics, variability, and scintillation of this layer of the atmosphere. PDF format.
Handout
Nine Planets

The Nine Planets: Earth Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
Find lots of information about our planet Earth here. Covers basic facts, Earth's history, layers of the Earth, plate tectonics, composition of the atmosphere, Earth's magnetic field, and some facts about our moon.
Article
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Zoom Astronomy: The Earth's Atmosphere

For Students 3rd - 8th
Site provides information on the Earth's atmosphere as well as offers additional information about Earth.
Unit Plan
Center for Educational Technologies

Nasa Classroom of the Future: Environment Module: Uv Menace

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides information and activities for classes to learn more about ozone depletion and UV radiation.
Activity
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Molecules and Light

For Students 9th - 10th
An interactive simulation that teaches about molecules, photons, and absorption by exploring how light interacts with molecules in our atmosphere. Through this simulation students can get a better understanding of the importance of the...
Handout
Other

Moorland School: Earth Science Zone: The Earth's Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the properties of the thin layer of gas that surrounds the Earth. Understand the mixture of gases that make up the atmosphere as well as the different layers. Also explained are issues that affect the atmosphere like the...
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Ionosphere Facts

For Students 4th - 8th
Learn facts about the ionosphere. It is an extension of the thermosphere, one of the five layers of the atmosphere.
Handout
Science4Fun

Science4 Fun: Atmosphere

For Students 1st - 6th
What is atmosphere? Find out about the layers of the atmosphere and learn how the atmosphere protects life on Earth and other fun facts.