Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Model Watershed

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Collaborative earth science groups create a working model of a watershed. Once it has been developed, you come along and introduce a change in land use, impacting the quality of water throughout their watershed. Model making is an...
Lesson Plan
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Major American Water Routes

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders locate and identify the major bodies of water and waterways in the United States. Through a simulation activity, they describe how early explorers would have described their surroundings. Working in groups, they create...
Lesson Plan
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Microscopic Water Life

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students use a light microscope to observe the organisms living in a sample of ocean or fresh water. Students create a drawing of the organisms that they observe. Students then discuss the different body plans of the organisms and the...
Lesson Plan
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Mapping Landforms of South Carolina

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders analyze South Carolina maps. In this geography lesson, 3rd graders locate the five land regions in the state are and discuss how the regions are different. Students identify the major bodies of water and analyze how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality and Watersheds: A GIS Investigation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Requiring more than one class period, this resource takes earth science learners on a journey through a watershed. Using ArcGIS Explorer, an online geographic information system, they view maps of watersheds and surrounding landscapes....
Lesson Plan
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River System

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the parts of a river system and understand the importance of each part.  In this river system activity, 5th graders diagram a river system and write a paragraph explaining its parts.
Lesson Plan
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A Coin Out of Water

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine the Michigan state quarter and identify land and water on the quarter. They locate the Great Lakes and other bodies of water on a map. They compare and contrast streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans.
Lesson Plan
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Social Justice-Water in Developing Countries

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore how water shortage affects everyday life. In this social justice lesson plan, students discuss information about water shortage in Ghana. A water shortage simulation/game is played in which a "Canadian" team starts with...
Lesson Plan
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Earth's Land and Water

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students describe physical characteristics of bodies of water and landforms. In this land and water lesson plan, students model land and water with modeling clay and also discuss why people live near bodies of water.
Lesson Plan
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Salt Relief Map of Virginia

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a salt relief map of the four regions of Virginia. They indentify land forms and bodies of water, and summarize how they made their project.
Lesson Plan
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Michigan Quarter Reverse: A Coin Out of Water

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine the Michigan quarter reverse and differentiate between bodies of water. On copies of the quarter reverse, they color the land green and the water blue. After observing photos of water bodies, they complete a worksheet...
Lesson Plan
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River Otter Adaptations

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study the body of the River Otter to understand animal adaptations to their habitats. In this animal adaptations lesson, students study the photo of the River Otter and discuss its body. Students then play a game of...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Water Cycle

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students investigate the water cycle. For this water cycle lesson, students create an ecosystem within a 2-liter bottle. Students record scientific observations as they observe the water cycle within their ecosystem.
Lesson Plan
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The Water Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this science worksheet, young scholars learn about the water cycle by reading 4 information paragraphs about evaporation, condensation, precipitation and infiltration/ collection. After each paragraph, students draw a picture of that...
Lesson Plan
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Water Pollution Lesson Plan: What's the Flow?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study urban runoff. They identify the urban runoff in a simulated area and determine peak flows using charted data. Finally, they discuss possible causes of the differences in flow rates.
Lesson Plan
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Problems at Cliffs of the Neuse

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers assume the roles of members of the Cliffs of the Neuse Sate Park and must develop an action plan in response to a complaint about possible water quality problems and associated human illnesses. Students conduct research...
Lesson Plan
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Empires of Early Africa

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the Nile's role in the birth and growth of Egyptian civilization.  In this World History activity, 9th graders explore how archaeologists have learned about life in Ancient cities.  Students present a...
Lesson Plan
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Lao Design: Lotus Flower Constructions

For Teachers K - 4th
Students create lotus flowers in 3-D designs applying Lao art techniques. Following a teacher demonstration, they assemble their own lotus flower candleholders and the teacher arranges a group flotation in a body of water. Students...
Lesson Plan
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United States Map- Rivers

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students identify major rivers on a map of the United States. In this geography lesson, students discuss what a river is and use a map marker to identify the symbol of a river on a map.
Lesson Plan
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The History of Your Chicago River

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars examine the history of the Chicago River. In groups, they identify the problems of the watershed and develop possible solutions. As a class, they examine the importance of the river to the Chicago area by reading a story....
Lesson Plan
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Rivers and Streams

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners research the rivers, streams and water bodies of Hawaii. They read a variety of books, play Bingo with water-related terms, create and maintain water-themed journals, view videos, conduct Internet research and participate in a...
Lesson Plan
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Water Exploration Station

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore the characteristics of water. In this water exploration lesson, students participate in various learning centers to inquire how water drains and how to increase the flow of water. Students use estimation and measurement...
Lesson Plan
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New York City Water Quality Assessment Project

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students investigate the chemistry of water and how its molecular structure supports life through its biochemcial, physical, and environmental roles. They investigate the quality of water as it interacts with the environment. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Building A Solar Still

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students investigate the water cycle by viewing an online video.  In this drinking water lesson, students create solar stills at their campus in order to purify water that is tainted.  Students view a video on their computers...