Curated OER
A Message in a Bottle
Students investigate the motion of water currents by mapping the possible movement of messages cast into the ocean in bottles.They accurately plot the appearance of bottles on a world map and illustrate the flow of an ocean current...
Curated OER
If You Mess With A Wetland, At Least Try to Make Amends!
Eighth graders examine the role of wetlands in an ecosystem. In groups, they use the internet to research how humans have disturbed and ruined the effectiveness of wetlands throughout the country. They pretend they are in charge of...
Curated OER
Urban Impact on Chollas Creek (California): A Field Study
Students, in groups, take samples from a creek and keep a field journal on their samples. They also perform tests on their samples.
Curated OER
Formation of Volcanoes
Ninth graders explore the process of different volcanoes and how plate tectonics plays a role. In this volcanic activity students complete several assignments on plate tectonics.
Curated OER
Build A Model of the Water Cycle
Students identify and describe the steps in the water cycle. They discover the sun as the source of the cycle. They work together to create their own water cycle model.
Curated OER
Investigating Erosion in an Outdoor Classroom
First graders observe the effects of erosion. They work in groups to simulate erosion in a streambed, participate in class discussion, read books about fossils and rocks and then go on a fossil hunt.
Curated OER
Listening to the Prairie
Students, in groups, visit an exhibit and for a prairie scavenger hunt to locate sunflowers and name products made from them. After sketching a prairie dog, they find nature cues farmers use when growing plants and raising animals. The...
NASA
Nasa: Introduction to Earth's Dynamically Changing Climate
NASA and PBS have joined forces to provide a lesson plan that will enable students to analyze data that documents a warming planet. Videos and other necessary documents for the lesson plan are provided. PBS TeacherLine also provides a...
NASA
Nasa: Global Climate Change
NASA keeps its eyes on the Earth in this dynamic site that stays with news about climate change. Includes facts, articles, interactive features, visualizations such as the Climate Time Machine, videos, and lots more.
Other
Bscs: Content Background Earth's Changing Surface
This is written to support and further your content learning about the dynamic nature of Earth's surface. The goal is for you to develop a conceptual understanding of landforms so that you will be able to more effectively teach...
Other
Gfdl: Temperature (F) Response Due to Increased Atmospheric Co2
An animated model of the Earth from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory showing how global temperatures increased from 1870 to 2100 due to rising amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Earth Surface Dynamics (Research Activities)
This site from USGS provides several activities to help understand the interrelationships among earth surface processes, ecological systems, and human activities. Also included are links to new findings and programs concerning Earth...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: American Indian Culture of the Plains
The Plains Indians had a dynamic society that changed over time. See how the introduction of the horse changed their way of life. Read about their religion, societal structure, housing, and tools. Included are pictures, maps, critical...
Science Struck
Science Struck: What Are Ocean Trenches and How Are They Formed?
Around 72 percent of the Earth's surface is found under the oceans. It has always been contributing to the dynamically changing face of the Earth through the tectonic phenomenon occurring at its depths. Such a naturally occurring...
NASA
Nasa: Our Restless Planet
This animation library is a great resource for a diverse list of earth science topics including: tsunamis, land subsidence, magnetic fields, volcanoes earthquakes, floods, and sea level changes.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Plate Tectonics and Mid Oceanic Ridges
Excellent graphics and understandable text about all aspects of plate tectonics including mid-ocean ridges.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Natural Disasters
Students are introduced to our planet's structure and its dynamic system of natural forces through an examination of the natural hazards of earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunamis, floods and tornados, as well as avalanches, fires,...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Over time, volcanoes all over the world have caused the earth to change. Using various activities, research, and dynamic media, students will discover what causes volcanoes to erupt. They will learn different volcanic shapes and how...