Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glacier Dynamics

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students create flubber glaciers. For this glacier dynamics lesson, students experiment factors that may affect glacier speed. Factors include slope, ice temperature, and basal conditions. Students develop hypothesis, conduct experiment,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Young scientists explore Earth elements by conducting an experiment. They define water vocabulary terms such as condensation and precipitation. In addition, they conduct a water experiment in which they build a terrarium, so they can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Changes and the Water Cycle - Three

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders observe and reproduce the water cycle in their very own classroom. A simple, yet very effective, demonstration on how water evaporates is observed by the young scientists. They make observations and sketches in their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Doin' The Moonwalk

For Teachers K - 2nd
If you are looking for an outstanding lesson on the Moon for your budding astronomers, look no further! This outstanding plan is full of wonderful, meaningful activities for your charges to engage in. Pupils will discover why there are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth and Space Science: Let it Flow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students engage in a activity in which volcanoes be explored and examined. After watching a video, students create volcanoes out of clay.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wild and Wetlands

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Upper graders identify the major characteristics of a wetland. They explore the human factors that change a wetland and write a descriptive paragraph about wetlands. This comprehensive lesson also has an interactive "Watershed Game"...
Worksheet
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Curated OER

Mercury

For Students 4th - 7th
After reading a short excerpt about Mercury, your class will answer four comprehension questions. The worksheet challenges them to fold over the paper and answer the questions without referring back to the excerpt. An answer sheet is...
Lesson Plan
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PHET

Planet Designer: What’s Trending Hot?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Excite scholars to design their own planet in this first of five lessons. The lesson starts with a pre-activity assessment, a complete lesson plan that is easy to implement, and a post-activity assessment that would look great...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Atmosphere Then and Now

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students recall details about the formation of the earth and early atmosphere. They name the layers of the atmosphere and compare amounts of atmospheric nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. Formulate questions about global warming.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify that most of mountain ranges found on all major land masses and in the oceans are external reflections of tectonic movements within the earth. They identify that earthquakes and related phenomena are caused by the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify how weathering and erosion effect the Earth's surface. In this weathering and rocks instructional activity, students study various types of rocks in water and brainstorm ways the Earth's surface changes. Students view...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in the Greenhouse

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students discuss the different types of climate zones found throughout the world. They participate in activities which relate to real events. They make observations and the consequences of their actions on the environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differences Between Ground and Air Temperatures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the differences between air temperature and ground temperature.  In this investigative lesson students find NASA data on the Internet and use it to create a graph. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Hajj: Muslim Pilgrimage in a Geographic Perspective

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read information on the Hajj. They discuss pilgrimage and ways it differs from going to a church, mosque or synagogue. Students discuss logistical problems that might be posed for the host country of a pilgrimage. Students do an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Portland, Oregon Experiencing Global Warming?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students use data to determine if the climate in Portland has changed over the years.  In this weather instructional activity students complete line graphs and study long wave radiation. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanoes!: The Mountain Blows its Top

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students observe two demonstrations to conclude why bulge developed on the north flank of Mount St. Helens and conclude that when the "cap" was removed the pressure inside the volcano was suddenly released causing the violent eruption.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 2 Activity 2: Mapping Mount St. Helens

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use topographic map skills to interpret impact of the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens on the volcano's topography, and draw profile views of Mount St. Helens before and after the May 18, 1980, eruption.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Mount St. Helens

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students study topographic maps and contour lines and construct a simple three-dimensional model of Mount St. Helens before the May 18, 1980, eruption. They use topographic map skills to interpret the impact of the May 18, 1980, eruption...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Properties of Water: "Dead Or Alive"

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners study the water cycle and create a booklet entitled: "Discover the Wonder of Water" They observe and record data regarding evaporation, condensation, and precipitation and how water moves from a solid to a liquid to a gas. They...
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania State University

Learn, Protect, and Promote Water

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
A hands-on activity helps learners explore the water cycle. After discussing how they use water, classes discuss water pollution and then move into a simulation where 20 pupils move through the water cycle based on description cards. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Grandpa Right, Were Winters Colder When He Was a Boy?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare current weather data to historic data to see if there is a temperature change.  In this weather instructional activity students complete a lab activity and determine average changes in temperature, precipitation and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Technology for Studying Comets

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students design an Aerogel model to capture clay particles. For this space science lesson, students discover what happens to comets as they hit a surface. They explain how the Aerogel technology would help scientists study comets better.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Case Study of Local Trends in the Carbon Cycle

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the relationship between chlorophyll and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  In this investigative lesson students study the local effects of climate change. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Louisiana's Land Down Under - The World of Kate Chopin's The Awakening.

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Visit 19th century Grand Isle, Cheniere Caminada, and New Orleans! Meet the inhabitants, learn about their history and culture, and view landmarks and industries! After reading Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, class groups research the...