PBS
Season Seeking
It's a time of change. A hands-on activity engages young scientists in a lesson highlighting the change of seasons. They brainstorm indicators of season changes in nature and then look for them. Next, they record observations in a field...
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Global Warming – More or Less
Eighth graders identify the factors that contribute to global warming. In this earth science activity, 8th graders evaluate the impact of global warming on the planet. They discuss their views within the group.
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A Journey To Alaska
Learners create an electronic scrapbook of a virtual field trip to Alaska. They first check the weather and plan what to bring for a real trip. As they explore various websites representing five stopovers on the trip they copy photos...
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Understanding Cloud Formation
Students read and relate the poem, "Clouds" by Aileen Fisher to a demonstration on cloud formation. They create clouds in jars using ice water and matches then discuss the ways clouds can be used to predict weather.
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Physics- global warming
Students discuss the concept of global warming and view a multimedia clip on the global warming phenomenon. They statistically analyze mean temperature data and compare a given set of data. Data on atmospheric CO2 is done then they...
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Alaska
Students describe and explain variations in Alaska's physical environment including climate, landforms, natural resources and natural hazards and compare how people in different communities adapt to or modify the physical environment.
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Christmas in Germany
Third graders listen to the book, A Cobweb Christmas discovering that it is a German Folktale. They discuss where the location of Germany while viewing a globe while viewing different slides from a PowerPoint presentation and talk about...
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Drought in Your State
In this drought instructional activity, students study the "US Drought Monitor" and complete 8 short answer questions on the causes and effects of drought.
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Food For Keeps
Middle schoolers explore food. In this processed and fresh foods instructional activity, students discover how some foods are processed and how they differ from fresh food. The complete group activities and an individual reading...
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How Organisms Live Successfully in Their Environments
Young scholars compare the climate and organisms found in different environments, then give examples of how plants and animals adapt to their environment. They design an animal who adapts using camouflage to a made-up environment.
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Exploring and Comparing Other Communities
Third graders search TDC database for images of physical geography maps, weather maps, natural resources maps, and old travel brochures. They create a new travel brochure of an area of their choice using the information they gathered.
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Optional Laboratory: Comparing Soil Temperatures In Sun and Shade
Students work together to test the temperatures of different soils in shade and sun. They make their own hypothesis before beginning the experiment. They record their data and discuss as a class.
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Natural History of Costa Rica
Students use outline maps to become acquainted with Costa Rica. They see how it was formed and how its origin has created very diverse environments. Students then use atlases and compare their physical maps with maps of climate and the...
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Settlement Patterns of the United States
Students examine the conditions that affected the way people settled in the United States. Using maps, they examine the topography and climate of different locations and determine the factors that do and do not allow settlement to occur....
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"Julie of the Wolves"
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson plan. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. ...
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The Secret Garden
Young scholars research the culture and geography of India and England while reading "The Secret Garden". Using this information, they write at least three predictions about what they believe might happen in the story. Using the...
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Hot, Wet, and Cold
Students research climate data for a city in each of the 5 major geographic sections of Texas. They use data to describe the climate and what influence the geography of that section has on the weather.
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California Regions
Pupils explore and compare and contrast the four main regions of California: mountains, coast, central valley, and desert. students use pictures and research to describe how regions vary in land use, vegetation, wildlife and climate.
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Exploring Virtual Europe
Students research the geography, government, climate, history, economy, and culture of a European country. They select a country in Europe, explore various websites, and complete a worksheet.
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More than One Way of Knowing
Students compare the obeservations of traditional people with the oberservations of Western science. They validate Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) through comparison and the identification of...
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Geograophy of Mexico And Central America
Students create a chart comparing the terrain, climate, economy, environmental issues and natural disasters for Mexico and the Central American countries. They view and discuss a video on the region then compile research on the internet.
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Greenhouse Gas Lab
Students compare the ability of a sample of carbon dioxide gas to
absorb thermal energy compared to a sample of air. They build a visual representation of the greenhouse effect to illustrate the heat-absorption of
atmospheric carbon...
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Deep Ocean Currents
Young scholars observe the interactions of different temperatures of water using colored ice and a thermometer and then compare the results with global ocean current solar heating. They identify where floating ice would be found in the...
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Trees: Are They Thriving or Surviving?
In this trees survival lesson plan, 8th graders discuss what trees need to grow, brainstorm things that could adversely affect tree growth, and compare characteristics of thriving trees vs. surviving trees. Students learn about the...