Curated OER
Mantle Motions
Learners define vocabulary words associated with lithospheric plate motions. They create and write down a motion to act out each vocabulary word, and participate in a game of demonstrating the actions associated with each word.
Curated OER
Investigating the Hydrosphere
No matter the scientific discipline, your students can benefit from a study of water.
Curated OER
Mastering the Keyboard
Sixth graders view an animated program showing how the continents fit together millions of years ago. In groups, they compare and contrast the distribution of rocks and fossils based on how the continents fit together. After reading a...
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics Study Guide
In this plate tectonics learning exercise, students answer questions about plate tectonics including topics such as the lithosphere, the asthenosphere, rising and sinking convection currents, continental drift and the types of boundaries.
Curated OER
Science Test-Grade 5
In this grade 5 science test worksheet, 5th graders complete a 30 question multiple choice quiz covering a variety of grade 5 concepts.
Curated OER
It's Just a Phase
Sixth graders are introduced to the correct terminology for the phases of the moon and arrange picture cards in the correct order. They use flashlights and Styrofoam balls to illustrate the phases of the moon. They write science journal...
Curated OER
It's Just a Phase
Students describe the phases of the moon and play a game with moon phase cards.
Curated OER
What's In A Name
Second graders read Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. They then discuss where various names come from. They create a individualized biopoem and publish it on word processing software. Their poems are compiled into a class book and presented...
Curated OER
Earthquakes
Sixth graders explain that earthquakes are sudden motions along breaks in the crust called faults. They list the major geologic events including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mountain building, which are the result of crustal plate...
Curated OER
Shadows
First graders measure how a shadow changes over the course of a day. They write about what they would do if they lost their shadow, and make silhouettes of themselves. Students make up a shadow dance and read stories about shadows.
Curated OER
Earthquakes
Sixth graders explore reasons for earthquakes. They discuss and describe the types of faults. Using the internet, 6th graders research a specific location of a former earthquake. They describe the damage, magnitude, the epicenter,...
Curated OER
Water, Water, Everywhere and Always on the Move
Learners create their own water cycle in a terrarium. In this water cycle lesson, students research the water cycle and complete a worksheet using the Internet. They create a water cycle of their own in a jar with stones, sand, soil, and...
Curated OER
Distance And Parallax
High schoolers will determine distances to nearby stars using parallax. In this Astronomy lesson plan, students will use a web program, trigonometry, and sketches to determine the distance of stars.
Curated OER
Moon WebQuest
Third graders research basic information about the moon and identify the phases and order of the phases of the moon. They conduct Internet research, complete a moon WebQuest, and write a magazine article about the moon using their...
Curated OER
GIS and Agriculture
High schoolers are introduced GIS systems and how they operate. Using a GIS system, they locate and map the various types of agricultural products grown in Oregon. They rank each county based on the amount of agricultural products...
Curated OER
Which Boundary Am I?
Sixth graders find 12 statements which describe the characteristics of the three boundary types, arranged in random order. Their task is to read each statement, and then CUT and PASTE it to the the appropriate boundary icon.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Earth's Water Movements
The paths that water can take through Earth's systems are many and complex. Examine the following diagram from NASA depicting the water cycle. Studying the water cycle is important because changes in the water cycle affect all parts of...
Center for Educational Technologies
Earth Science Explorer: The Rock Cycle
This one-page explanation of the rock cycle contains a very helpful diagram and useful explanatory notes. Site explains how rocks are made and broken down.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Plates on the Move
Find an interrelated set of tools--maps, animations, diagrams, photographs, and text--to help you understand tectonic plates and how they move.
Other
University of Delaware: Plate Tectonics
This site is a very simple overview of plate tectonics. It includes a map of all the major plates and a diagram of the layers of the earth.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: The Water Cycle
Learn about the movement of water from Earth's surface to the atmosphere with this site. Site describes the water cycle in words and with a diagram. Also explored on the page is the distribution of Earth's global water supply.