Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovery Science Library: The Basics Physical Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine  friction and gravity. affect four sports. In this scientific discovery lesson, students examine how friction and gravity affect sports. They discuss, write, and illustrate the effect of different forces on various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Forecasting: From Then to Now

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders review the history of weather forecasting. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders identify the different tools used in forecasting weather. They explain why it's important to know the weather.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Could a World of Swimmers Raise Sea Level?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the volume of water they displace. In this earth science lesson plan, students calculate the total water displaced by the world's population. They evaluate whether or not this value is enough to raise the sea level...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Round and Round-The Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore the water cycle. In this earth science instructional activity, students work in small groups to read various books on the water cycle and take notes on chart paper. Students share their notes and teach a younger audience...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun and Earth

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students explore the sun, its structure, how big it is and how far away it is.  In this solar system lesson plan students complete a lab activity on dew point and weather.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When Earth Fails: How Earth?s Physical Changes Cause Natural Disasters

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine natural disasters and some safety measures that should be followed.  In this natural disaster activity students write a narrative, and research safety procedures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meteors

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the different types of meteorite using an interactive website. In this earth science lesson plan, students simulate how meteors crash on a surface. They relate meteor size to crater size.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Earth Sun Relationships Incorporating P.E.

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate space science by performing physical activities.  In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders perform a relay activitiy with their class in which they race between different "planets".  Students define...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanoes

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the formation of volcanoes. In this earth science lesson, students build their own volcanoes in the lab using different materials. They identify the different types of volcanoes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Many Days Are in a Year?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a calendar for an imaginary planet. For this earth science lesson, students analyze the errors on the different calendars used on Earth. They present their work in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ozone: The Earth's Security Blanket

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students work in groups to define and research the terms: ozone, troposphere and stratosphere. Students watch videos, conduct Internet research, participate in discussion groups and complete worksheets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hawaiian Hot Spots

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students describe how plate tectonics contribute to the development of volcanoes. In this earth science lesson, students examine the map of Hawaii and explore the physical and biological environment there. They write a story about an...
Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Weather Basics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Weather — there's more to it than meets the eye of the storm. With this resource young meteorologists learn about the basics of weather, including information about the factors that influence the weather, common weather vocabulary,...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Exploring the Water Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The water cycle is one of earth's most easily observable processes, but demonstrating each step within classroom walls can be a challenge. Through a series of videos and quick demonstrations, cover each aspect of the hydrologic cycle in...
Lesson Plan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section Three: What's the Status of Biodiversity?

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Biodiversity is essential for every habitat, but many species are at risk due to pollution and other factors. Explore several different species native to Illinois in a gallery walk with posters that learners have created after research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Instruments

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders practice making predictions about weather from conditions they observe on weather instruments and weather reports. Learners are introduced to the most basic weather reporting instruments: the thermometer, the wind vane, the...
Lesson Plan
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Federal Reserve Bank

Lesson 2: In the Aftermath

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Don't wait for a crisis to get your finances together. An economics lesson demonstrates the importance of understanding crucial documents, banking basics, and financial tools with the focus on Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and its effects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Energy Budget Pre Lab

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore energy by conducting an in class experiment. In this climate change lesson, students conduct a water vapor experiment in a soda bottle. Students utilize graphs and charts to analyze the results of the experiment and help...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cooler in the Shadows

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore Earth science by creating a scale model in class. In this shadow activity, students research the impact the sun has on Earth shadows and complete a space science worksheet. Students create models of the Sun and Earth and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud Identification

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars study types of clouds. In this earth science lesson, students read the book The Cloud Book. Young scholars use photos to examine each type of cloud and visit suggested websites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clouds

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students explore basic cloud types and the weather associated with each one.  In this earth science lesson plan, students participate in numerous activities including going outside to observe the clouds they see, making a cloud...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Cloud Coverage

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore Earth science by completing weather symbol worksheets. In this cloud identification lesson plan, students identify the different types of clouds in the sky and how they are formed. Students complete a cloud measurement...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sedimentation Lab Activity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students predict how sediments in a water column will settle.  In this earth science lesson, students examine the layers of sedimentation. Students are given sediments to place into a column of water and observe how they settle....
Worksheet
Curated OER

Weather Internet Scavenger Hunt

For Students 6th - 8th
In this earth science worksheet, middle schoolers visit the weather sites listed to answer the weather questions on the sheet. They define super cell and complete the paragraph. Students also name and sketch three types of snowflakes.