Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders use the program HyperStudio to draw and describe the water cycle. In this science and technology lesson plan, 2nd graders will first become familiar with the water cycle by exploring books and websites in the classroom....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Database

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders collect daily weather information and introduce them to databases.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Impact Craters

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars investigate the factors affecting the size of a crater. In this space science instructional activity, students collect data from the activity and graph them. They explain how velocity of impact relate to crater size.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Thermometer

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students build a thermometer. In this weather lesson, students use red food coloring, rubber stoppers, and hard plastic tubing to build a thermometer. Students use their homemade thermometer to measure the temperature.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layering the Soil

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study and classify soil. In this soil science lesson, students classify soil by texture and size and study soil horizons. Students label the soil types with their specific soil horizon and learn about permafrost. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Power of Atmospheric Pressure Process

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to the basic principles of atmospheric pressure. After watching demonstrations, they discover the capability of air pressure and how it affects weather. In groups, they use an inquiry template to solve different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Gettin' Hot In Here, So Transfer Energy

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners study the means by which energy is transferred from the sun through the Earth's atmosphere. They examine radiation, conduction, and convection. They complete a lab to determine how the different transfers affect the atmosphere...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud Formation

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss the weather and cloud formation. They rotate, in groups, through various activity stations set up in the room. Stations include activities such as researching types of clouds, drawing pictures of the water cycle,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keep It Cool

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students complete a science experiment to study insulation, heat transfer, and permafrost. For this permafrost study lesson, students design and test a soda insulator. Students graph their class data and discuss the results. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Temperature in The Atmosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, middle schoolers find the answers to the five questions and they fill in the graphic organizer for the temperatures found in different heights of the atmosphere.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clouds

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, middle schoolers look for the meaning of the water cycle and its relation to the formation of clouds. They read the information about the different types of clouds.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surface Water and Groundwater

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine distribution of water and minerals. In this surface and groundwater instructional activity, students conduct an experiment with fresh and salt water making hypothesis and drawing conclusions about minerals. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worm Composting

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss worm composting. In this decomposition lesson plan, 2nd graders look at the anatomy of the worm and how it eats food. They have their own worm bin and review what foods can and can not be given to the worms for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Leaves Through Printmaking

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students create leaf rubbings as they study the parts of a leaf. They describe the leaves and chart their observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the Rock Cycle and Its Processes?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Geology beginners examine three different rock samples and determine their origin by their characteristics. By making and recording observations, they become familiar with features of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types....
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Hurricanes: An Environmental Concern

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical cyclones are the same type of storm, but their names change based on where they happen. Scholars use a computer simulation to learn about hurricanes. Then they hypothesize ideas to prevent hurricanes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parl Ranger in Training

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners develop a research presentation about rock formations and natural erosion. Using traditional and online resources, students gather and organize information about rock formations. Learners use their information to create a brief...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surface Air Temperature Trends of the Caribbean

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the seasonal changes to sea surface and near-surface air temperatures near the equator. They use actual satellite data to track and graph the differences in air and sea temperatures during different seasons in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Cloud in a Jar (Hands-on Version)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the conditions necessary for cloud formation.  In this clouds lesson students complete an activity that shows them atmospheric pressure.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wind and Air Pressure

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students make an anemometer, barometer, and wind catcher to see how wind and air pressure are related. In this wind lesson plan, students use these tools to measure the wind speed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tsunami

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine what causes tsunamis and why they all behave differently.  For this tsunami lesson students complete a group activity after viewing a video. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hurricanes and Climate

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students investigate maps and data to learn about the connections between hurricanes and climate. In this exploratory activity students describe and graph the 6 regions where hurricanes happen and discuss how hurricanes have changed over...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Spread or Not to Spread

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the difference between the three types of contrails. In this contrails instructional activity, students make observations of contrails and record them. Students identify the three types of contrails and complete an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meteorology (Condensation)

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders define condensation and evaporation. They identify and describe the steps in the water cycle. They ask questions to end the lesson.