Curated OER
The Big Burp: Where's the Proof?
Students research the evidence for prehistorically formed methane hydrates contributing to global warming. In this climate change lesson plan, students work in groups to research methane hydrates, global warming, The Cambrian Explosion,...
NOAA
The Methane Circus
Step right up! An engaging research-centered lesson, the third in a series of six, has young archaeologists study the amazing animals of the Cambrian explosion. Working in groups, they profile a breathtaking and odd creature and learn...
Curated OER
Earth Epochs
Students explore earth epochs, i.e, Permian, Precambrian, Cambrian, Ordivician and through pictures they see what life on Earth and animals looked like. They organize Earth Epochs according to years going from greatest to least...
Curated OER
The Big Burp: Where's the Proof.
Students explore the Cambrian explosion and Paleocene extinction events. In this climate change lesson, students read articles to link evidence they find to extinction and climate change. Links to the articles are included in the lesson.
Curated OER
Evolution of Sea Creatures
Students identify and describe the mechanisms of natural selection. They study Cambrian Period animals and discuss adaptations for their specific environment.Students compare and contrast a modern sea animal with the Cambrian era animal...
NOAA
What's the Big Deal?
Who knew that a possible answer to Earth's energy resource problems was lurking deep beneath the ocean's surface? Part four of a six-part series introduces Earth Science pupils to methane hydrate, a waste product of methanogens. After...
Curated OER
The History of Life on Earth
Using meters as years, your class works together to map out the geologic time scale on a football field. Plenty of background information is included in this lesson plan as well as several resource links and a student worksheet. Your...
Curated OER
A Brief History of Life: How Did Everything Begin?
Addressing the idea of intelligent design, as well as a number of creation myths, this presentation gives a measured and scientific perspective to the beginning of the world. It includes a graphic on the Big Bang Theory, evolution, and...
Curated OER
How Was Coal Formed?
Geology can be a lot of fun. Learners review geology related vocabulary, make flashcards, use encyclopedias to answer questions, then explore the formation of coal. They identify dates and order them into key time frames of geologic...
Curated OER
The Delicate Balance - Iowa's Natural Resources
Discover the natural resources in Iowa by studying it's history. For this environmental lesson, your students will observe a topographical map of Iowa and identify where its most valuable resources are. They complete an Iowa name...
Curated OER
Glaciers Worksheet #2
A map of the Hudson River Valley is exhibited here. Arrows representing glacial striations are spread across the map for learners to analyze. They answer five multiple choice questions in response. The worksheet is a compact review of...
Curated OER
The Arthropod Story
Students learn a number of evolutionary concepts by following the long history of the arthropods and have opportunities to think about arthropod evolution in terms of both opportunities and constraints.
Curated OER
The Chambered Nautilus
In this chambered nautilus worksheet, students read a 2 page article, define 10 vocabulary words and answer 7 short answer questions in complete sentences.
Curated OER
Geological Time Scale
In this geological time worksheet, student use a geologic time scale to understand the difference between eons, eras, and periods. Then students complete 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Earth's Rotation Changes and the Length of the Day
In this Earth's rotation and day length activity, students are given a table with the period of geological time, the age of the Earth and the total days per year. Students calculate the number of hours per day in each geological era,...
Curated OER
Studying Fossils
Students study fossils. They examine samples of specific fossils--including a shark tooth, a brachiopod, and horn coral, among others. They visit corresponding websites and complete a worksheet regarding each of the fossils.
Curated OER
Be a "Fossil Detective" an Effective Tool in Earth Science Education
Students examine the geological time scale: the Earth is ancient; time can be divided into periods based on its fossil content.
Curated OER
The Big Burp:A Bad Day in the Paleocene
Students describe the overall events that occurred during the Paleocene extinction event as well as the processes that are believed to result in global warming after group research. They infer how a global warming event could have...
Curated OER
What's the Big Deal?
Students explore and define methane hydrates and describe ways that it can impact their own lives. In this methane hydrate lesson students create a molecular model and research methane hydrate.
Curated OER
What's the Big Deal?
Learners define terms and describe where they are found and formed. In this methane lesson plan students complete an activity and describe ways in which methane hydrates impact our lives.
Biology Junction
Introduction to Animals Crossword Puzzle
In this introduction to animals instructional activity, students complete a crossword puzzle with 47 questions on the types and characteristics of animals.
Curated OER
The Fossil Record
Young scholars research about the animals found in Burgess Shale. In this earth science instructional activity, students evaluate the significance of fossils in human history. They create models of their chosen animal.
Curated OER
What came first?
Students sequence events in their own lives and assign each a numerical time, students use the same process to sequence actual events in the evolution of life on Earth.