To complete homework or not to complete homework ... that is the question. Decide whether it makes a difference on finals by doing homework. Individuals create a scatter plot and find a line of best fit for data on the percent of...

Students examine geologic time to scale. In this geologic time lesson, students create a time-scale metaphor that shows some of the Earth's important events. Students present their metaphor to the class.

Students construct a geologic timeline the size of a football field. They work in small groups to calculate the yardage for significant events in the Earth's history and then as a class pace out all of the events.

Young scholars identify and analyze how the geologic time scale was developed by investigating 11 periods of time and the vast expanse of time of the Earth's existence. They study their period, determine the important factors indicative...

Here is a lesson that rocks! Young scientists choose a rock and list words that describe it. They estimate the mass of their rocks and rank them within a group. They measure their rocks for volume and write a story that somehow includes...

High schoolers use fossils found in rocks to determine the age of the strata between Rock Island and Chicago. Pupils pretend they are geologists. They must determine the age of all rock layers between the Mississippi River and Lake...

Students model a paleontologist's activities. They identify dinosaur bones and reassemble them into a skeleton of an extinct reptile.

Students analyze ozone data.  In this atmosphere instructional activity, students will use a NASA resource to gather data for different regions of the Earth.  Students will then create a graph for their data and answer related...

Take cover because a wild presentation on hurricanes is about to make landfall in your classroom! An outstanding PowerPoint presentation is the centerpiece of this lesson. Not only does it provide information and photographs, but several...

Students explore the concept of paleoclimatological proxies.  In this paleoclimatological proxies instructional activity, students explain isotope ratios in deep water coral samples.  Students write a paragraph about global...

Compare sizes of student footprints with those of elephants and sauropod dinosaurs! Upper graders make estimations of the areas of irregular shapes; learners use grids to make and explain estimates within low and high ranges.

High schoolers determine how marine archaeologists use historical and archaeological data to draw inferences about shipwrecks. Students plot the position of a shipwrecked vessel, and draw inferences about the shipwreck from artifacts...

Clay's as good a material as any to build a boat, right? An introductory lesson sets the stage for two activities associated with buoyancy. The first involves building boats out of clay, while the second uses these boats to measure the...

Did you know that leaky faucets waste $10 million worth of water? Conservationists perform an experiment and draw best-fit lines to explore how the US Geological Society determined this value.

From the highest high to the lowest low here's a resource that won't fall flat. Given data on the area and the highest and lowest elevations of each of the 50 states, learners decide which states are the least flat and the most flat. Of...

Why was the obtuse angle upset? Because it was never right! A valuable resource is loaded with background information on types of angles and lines. Learners review the characteristics of parallel, perpendicular, and...

Seventh graders discuss the elements of maps and using basic linear measurement. They calculate the distance between the cities and create a simulated journey around New Mexico using a road map. They write out the directions for their...

Students experience and study how space offers expanding resources for commerce, science, technology and education. They view how advances in space can and do improve life on Earth. Each student views a geological exploration within this...

This site provides a variety of activities and worksheets about the problem-based learning activity about Earth and its atmosphere. The lessons can be used separately or together in a geology unit. The resources and charts are very...

Learners, after making quantitative and qualitative observations of their rocks, construct a Venn diagram or dichotomous key to classify their rocks.

Fourth graders create a calendar about their state. In this state calendar lesson, 4th graders select a state theme and create a calendar based on that theme. Students write paragraphs for each month related to the theme and design the...

Here is an excellent cross-curricular lesson. Learners relate multiplication to area by making a grid on graph paper, and then creating the same grid in real space outside in the school yard.

Students use a ruler to determine length and then fit the unit to a scale in miles. This unit will also give a geological awareness of altitude and the difference it makes in travel time. The travel time with Mapquest will obviously be...

I love this geology lesson plan. Third and fourth graders look at the connections, and the differences, between rocks and minerals. Learners are charged with identifying specific rocks and minerals, learning how to properly use...