+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain and Rainbows

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore the weather system by analyzing water properties. In this precipitation lesson, students review weather related vocabulary terms and discuss how rainbows are created by light hitting droplets at the right time. Students...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Cycles, Crayon Cycles

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the rock cycle and the path that rocks go through to rearranged in different ways. They define key vocabulary terms, then in small groups conduct a variety of experiments using crayon shavings as simulated rocks and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What on Earth is That and How Can I Get One?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine how we use submersibles. In this technology based lesson, students examine various technologies used by submersibles in ocean exploration.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Movers and Shakers

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners explore how the centuries-old invention of the lever led to today's applications in mobiles and crowbars. They watch a video on the lever, then utilize worksheets imbedded in this plan to guide their experiments.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

the biggest Plates on Earth

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students understand the movement of tectonic plates. In this tectonic plates lesson, students access prior knowledge of convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.  Students discuss energy transfer involved in plate motion. ...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science -Physics (4A) Post Lab

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the history of electricity. In this electricity lesson plan, 4th graders review the connection between electricity and magnetism. They do a research project on the history of electricity. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Built Environment (3) Pre Lab

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discuss types of transportation. In this transportation lesson, 3rd graders discuss common ways people get around and the effect of electric energy on our society. They write a paragraph about different kinds of...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Me and My Shadow

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars apply the process of scientific inquiries or technological design to explore the explanations of the daily patterns of the Earth's rotation. They record different shadow lengths showing the apparent movement of the sun...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle in a Box

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate how the water cycle is vital for all living things to survive on Earth. They observe the teacher set up a simulation of the water cycle using a Plastic Earth Simulator, desk lamp, and water, and make...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Hail

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the different types of precipitation and conduct a hail experiment. They identify the types of precipitation during a slideshow, and define key vocabulary terms. Next, in small groups they follow the...
+
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Tropical Belt

For Teachers K - 4th Standards
Where in the world is the equator? Explore a world map with your class, coloring in oceans, continents, and rainforests while locating the three major lines of latitude: the equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn. Discuss how...
+
Lesson Plan
Outside Education

Water Cycle Adventure

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, accumulation. Steam, clouds, rain, lakes. Guide your class members on an imaginary journey through the water cycle with a water cycle adventure script.
+
Lesson Plan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section One: What is Biodiversity?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...
+
Lesson Plan
United Nations

Compost Monitor Training

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
What should go in the trash, and what can be composted? Guide your young conservationists through the process of composing their trash with a lesson about the different ways we can dispose of garbage. Using a trash bag with clean...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Mime-it

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students pantomime new climate vocabulary words.  In this climate lesson, students go over new vocabulary words and their meanings.  Students form groups and pantomime these word's definitions.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ship of the Line

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students discover boats by researching 18th century ships.  In this Naval history lesson, students identify and describe the different components of an 18th century naval ship after researching information on the Internet.  Students...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keeping Watch on Coral Reefs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the dangers Coral Reefs face by investigating satellite images.  In this environmental protection lesson, students utilize the Internet to discover the types of satellites and sensors used to provide...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conditions at Sea

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine wave formation. In this wave lesson, students discover how waves are formed and how the weather at sea is predicted. Learners study ocean vocabulary and understand the Beaufort Wind Force Scale.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Phases

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the phases of the moon. In this moon phase lesson plan, 6th graders discover that the moon changes in a cycle as it orbits Earth. Students label pictures of moon phases and keep a moon phase journal. Students...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growth of a River

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students evaluate geography by drawing an image in class. In this river instructional activity, students identify a list of vocabulary terms associated with bodies of water. Students identify how a river is formed and draw a picture of...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in Space

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore space science by viewing a video in class. In this astronaut lesson plan, students identify the living habits of astronauts by researching the NASA website and observing a space science video in class. Students...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Do We Have Night?

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students engage in a fun, creative way to discover how the Earth moves. This lesson helps students explain why there is day and night. It can also create curiosity to further study the solar system and eclipses!
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tornadoes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the characteristics of a tornado. They practice using new vocabulary and participate in a question and answer session. They use the internet to gather more specific information.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the World Is All the Water?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate the distribution of the earth's water. They conduct a demonstration of water distribution, and create a pie graph to display the results.