Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Population

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students study populations throughout History.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography and our Family Favorites

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students talk with older family members about favorite family foods and where they have originated. They learn the process that went into the preparation and cooking of these foods and contrast how technology has affected food...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Impacts on Major Rivers of the World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore motivations behind human intervention in the stream flow of selected rivers, infer kinds of interventions and their results, and evaluate level of success of such interventions of stream flow as well as...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Energy: A Day in My Life

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
If only we could harness the energy of fifth graders, our energy problems would be over! The class discusses where different forms of energy come from and how we use them. They complete a chart of the activities that they do daily...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Country Report

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders describe the relationship between the people of Africa and their environment. They examine the climate, economy and inhabitants of this land. Using maps graphic organizers and writing a report, 6th graders demonstrate how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Grand Canyon

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the Grand Canyon. They research the Grand Canyon and locate the Colorado River on the map of Arizona. They discuss erosion and read how sedimentary rock was formed. They view photographs of the Grand Canyon and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanoes!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the Mount St. Helens eruption and how it occurred.  In this experimental lesson students complete a lab that shows the eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Processes of the Rock Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore, predict, and create each major rock form (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous) with colored modeling clay, discover cycle of rock formation, and examine important relationships of heat and pressure in rock development.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Agents of Erosion

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the agents of erosion. They observe rocks that are rough and unweathered and record observations. They investigate rocks rubbed with sandpaper and ones that are not and the effects that the sandpaper has on the...
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Water Quality

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners observe water samples and measure the samples' water quality. Students develop their own criteria for measuring water quality and test for temperature, acidity, oxygen levels, turbidity, conductance, sediment and hardness.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics: Bounce - Projectile Motion and Collisions

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students conduct and observe experiments in Newtonian mechanics, kinematics, and projectile motion. They analyze the motion of a ball rolling off a table, falling, and then bouncing. Students answer a series of questions analyzing the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BOWEN'S REACTION SERIES

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research Bowen's Reaction Series and recreate the process in an experiment which details the crystallization sequence of minerals that can be observed in nature.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research separate elements of the theory of Plate Tectonics, then share that information with each other, drawing conclusions from the culminated information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Water Cycle

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students investigate the water cycle. In 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
Curated OER

It's Just a Phase: Water as Solid, Liquid and Gas

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students construct models of the way water molecules arrange themselves in three physical states - solid, liquid, and gas. They explain the molecular behavior of ice, water, and water vapor.
Worksheet
Curated OER

THEMIS: A Magnetic Case of 'What Came First?'

For Students 9th - 11th
In this magnetic reconnection worksheet, learners solve seven problems using the data and graphs from the THEMIS satellite constellations, which show a series of events triggered by a magnetic reconnection. Students interpret the data in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Road Again

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine migration patterns in Africa and China. They watch excerpts from a documentary, define key vocabulary words, complete various student organizers, and create a poster.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Composition

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars examine soil. In this soil composition instructional activity students participate in soil sedimentation and filtration activities. The young scholars discuss what non-living and living things are in soil and why it is so...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make It Rain!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students complete an experiment. In this precipitation lesson, students complete an activity where they make rain in a jar.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study early explorers. In this World history lesson, 5th graders draw an outline of a map labeling each part, build geographical features out of dough, and paint each of the land and water features.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rainforest

For Teachers K - 1st
Young scholars examine how important the rainforest and its resources are for our everyday survival in the future.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eco-Kids: How Students Can Help Save the World

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In this ecology lesson plan, 4th graders create models of wind mills and hydropower. They discuss the pros and cons of using alternative forms of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Permeability

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss how soil permeability is affected by permafrost. In this soil lesson plan, students freeze soil over night, and discuss how the environmental conditions of freezing affect soil and further affect vegetation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Community Treasures (Rivers and Trees): An Integrated Curriculum Unit

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders demonstrate an understanding of geography and its effects on lifestyles and culture. Then they apply basic economic terms and principles and identify the United States government and history. Students also identify and...