Texas State University
Earth: Deposition and Lithification
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
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Snow Cover by Latitude
Learners create graphs showing the amount of snow coverage at various points of latitude and compare graphs.
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Earthquakes: Third Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Introduce third graders to energy waves with a hands-on geology activity, in which they answer questions and compare seismograms in the San Francisco Bay area. After a demonstration that shows how bigger waves indicate a...
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Floodplains in the field (with GIS)
Students measure a topographic and geologic cross-section across a floodplain by simple surveying and auguring techniques. They consider the spatial context of the field observations, use GPS measurements, and desktop GIS analyses.
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Names in the Field: A Simple GPS Field Exercise
Students explore basic methods of GPS data collection, uploading the data to a computer, and making simple maps of their data using GIS software. They create a map of the data using GIS software (or Excel)
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The Story of Hot Springs, 1500-1900 AD
Students study the geology and hydrology of Arkansas hot springs and how they contributed to the development of the city of Hot Springs. They create advertisements for the city of Hot Springs and the therapeutic effects of the waters.
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Earthquake Analysis
Students analyze and plot the coordinates for several recent earthquakes on a world map. They learn not only about research and geology, but about map-making and data analysis. They think of other ways to analyze the data given.
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Earth's Surfaces
Students identify and define geology and earth surface vocaulary and their meanings to classify rocks and explore caves and their properties. Students find rocks and test them according to Moh's scale. They create a color coded earth...
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A Thoreau Look at Our Environment
Sixth graders write journal entries o school site at least once during each season, including sketched and written observations of present environment. They can use sample topographical maps and student's own maps. Students can use...
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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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Volcano Contour Models Activity and Tracing the Highs and Lows in San Francisco
Pupils investigate how to draw topographic contours and read topographic maps.They examine the topography of San Francisco and contrast the elevation of different points within San Francisco.
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Geological Development of Indiana and the Movement of Peoples Across the State
Fourth graders examine the geological development of the state of Indiana. Using the internet, they interact with the United States Geological Survey. They identify earthquake zones and energy resources in the state. They work...
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Geological Development of Indiana and the Movement of Peoples Across the State
Students are introduced to the geological development of the state of Indiana. Using the internet, they visit the U.S. Geological Survey and locate the earthquake zones in the state. In groups, they locate and identify the energy...
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The Geologic Time Scale
Students research and explore the earth's past and make comparisons with the earth's present. They map out a timeline that explains how the earth and its organisms have changed over time. Studnets create a scale for their time line, they...
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Snow Cover By Latitude
Students create graphs comparing the amount of snow cover along selected latitudes using data sets from a NASA website. They create a spreadsheet and a bar graph on the computer, and analyze the data.
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Cookie Topography
Students construct a cross section diagram showing elevation changes on a "cookie island." Using a chocolate chip cookie for an island, they locate the highest point in centimeters on the cookie and create a scale in feet. After tracing...
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Plate Tectonics & Land Forms
Fourth graders discuss the different interactions of plates and the ways mountains are created. In this plate tectonics lesson plan students complete an activity in groups.
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Splish Splash
Students study drinking water. In this environment lesson, students draw the path of drinking water from the place of precipitation to the tap after researching a map and information from the United States Geological Survey water...
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How Does Your Soil Stack Up?
Students examine the soil in their local area and create a soil profile. They record observations in the field and the classroom. They create their own display of the soil profile as well.
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The Delicate Balance - Iowa's Natural Resources
Discover the natural resources in Iowa by studying it's history. In this environmental instructional activity, your students will observe a topographical map of Iowa and identify where its most valuable resources are. They complete an...
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Earthquakes and Seismic Waves
Students explore earthquakes and seismic waves. They investigate how energy is released in the subsurface to create seismic waves. Students explore the inner workings of a seismograph and how they are used to determine the location of an...
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Molecular Biology and Primate Phylogenics
By counting differences in amino acids, biology stars examine the relationships between different primates. With information gleaned, they map out a phylogenic tree and discover common ancestry. You will need to create printable versions...
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Fantastic Fossils
Students learn about the kinds of fossils and what scientists can learn from them. In this earth science lesson plan, students are told how engineers and paleontologists work together. Then students create a "fossil fondue"...
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Where In The World?
Students review the proper terms for maps and various geographical features. In groups, they create a topographical map and label all geographic features in a given area. They present this material to the class and answer any questions...