Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle Terrariums

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore the water cycle. They build a model of the water cycle in the form of a terrarium and explain how it demonstrates the water cycle. In addition, they draw a representation of the water cycle demonstrated in the terrarium.
Lesson Plan
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Friction

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners compare and contrast the movement of objects on different surfaces, experimenting with friction and forces of motion. This friction lesson has numerous online tools including worksheets and virtual activities; the option is also...
Lesson Plan
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Gettysburg Rocks Recycle to Win

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders use a geologic cross section to study the rock cycle of the Gettysburg battlefield. In this rock cycle lesson, 8th graders connect the rock cycle and continental rifting.
Lesson Plan
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Friction

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners explore friction as a force that slows moving objects, explain conclusions in terms of the roughness or smoothness of surfaces, relate results to predictions, and begin to know how to plan a fair test.
Lesson Plan
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'Round and 'Round it Goes!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students discuss and interpret background knowledge on poster copy given on the water cycle. Students complete the included activity sheets using the poster as a reference in small groups. Students identify and name where water can be...
Lesson Plan
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Heating The Atmosphere

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this science worksheet, high schoolers look for the answers to finding the correct temperatures that match the location in the atmosphere.
Lesson Plan
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Principles of Flight: Where are We?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore the concept of topographical maps.  In this topographical map lesson, students discuss how airplanes know where to fly.  Students use topographical maps to simulate a field trip on the computer. 
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Energy with GIS

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine GIS technology as it is used to locate energy sources. In this GIS lesson, student access an assigned website to locate a series of lessons using the GIS software. They use the maps that are located on the primary lesson...
Lesson Plan
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The Coldest Place at the Bottom of the World

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research and trace Shackleton's actual and intended route on an area map. They analyze the altitude changes involved in a trek across Antarctica and complete a worksheet comparing Antarctica to their own state.
Lesson Plan
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Who Wants To Be A "Globalnaire"?

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders research geography and the process of creating a Powerpoint presentation. In pairs, they design their own game show, writing geography questions, and creating a Powerpoint presentation for other students to play their game.
Lesson Plan
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Weathering and Wind

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this weathering and wind worksheet, students simulate the effects of weathering by wind using 2 canisters, 2 types of sandpaper and 2 sugar cubes. Students swirl the sugar cubes inside the canisters lined with fine and course...
Worksheet
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Beyond the Blue Horizon...Advanced

For Students 9th - 12th
In this calculating the horizon instructional activity, students solve 6 problems using algebra, derivatives and calculus to find the formula for the line-of-sight horizon, the distance along a planet, the horizon distance and the rates...
Lesson Plan
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The Hudson's Ups and Downs

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders practice interpreting line graphs of the Hudson River water levels to assess the tides and tidal cycles in the estuary. They explore how weather can affect water levels and tides and observe that high tides and low tides...
Worksheet
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Weird Water

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this weird water worksheet, students read for information and assess comprehension. In this true and false, fill in the blank, and multiple choice worksheet, students answer ten questions.
Lesson Plan
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Weather with Lewis and Clark: Then and Now

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss how to accurately measure weather, gather materials in order to make instruments, and build weather instruments in which they measure and record different aspects of weather for a five-day period.
Lesson Plan
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The Colors of Seasons

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners observe each season and and mark the colors they see.  In this colors of the seasons lessons, students read The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds and compare their results and note variations of colors in the different...
Lesson Plan
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The Magic School Bus Out of This World

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. For this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students explore craters that objects of different sizes and weights (marbles, Ping-Pong balls, and aluminum foil balls) create.
Interactive
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Energy Alternatives and Conservation

For Students 7th - 8th
In this energy alternatives and conservation learning exercise, students research the topic, answer 3 questions, then complete a 4 step plan to create a print or digital project.  This page has numerous links to web resources.
Lesson Plan
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Coal Derivatives

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use this hands-on activity to demonstrate the production of coke, one of the most widely used raw materials derived from coal. They are also stimulated to do research into the differences in coal types and coal products.
Lesson Plan
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How Size Shapes Animals

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students investigate how size affects large and small animals differently. In this animal lesson plan, students determine how size affects different animals by constructing their own animal out of marshmallows. Once students create...
Lesson Plan
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Weathering and Erosion

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students conduct two experiments. In this weathering and erosion lesson, students identify the different ways that weathering occurs, name the natural elements of weather and explain the process of erosion. Students watch a PowerPoint on...
Lesson Plan
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Celebrating the Solstice and Equinox

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders graph the number of daylight hors throughout the year and examine why day length varies. They discover that seasonal changes and latitude on Earth affect the number of hours of daylight in each day. Students listen to...
Lesson Plan
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Studying Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the mesosphere and lower thermosphere globally and achieve a major improvement in our understanding of the fundamental processes governing the energetics, chemistry, dynamics, and transport of the atmospheric region....
Lesson Plan
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Water, Water Everywhere, Even Underground

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The "Engage" section of a wetlands lesson plan asks young ecologists to examine a wetlands poster. You can easily find one online and display it using a projector. Pupils immerse a piece of sandstone and a piece of granite in water to...