Curated OER
History of the Earth
Students work together in groups to research the characteristics of the Mesozoic Era. Using various sources, they must include information about climate, landforms, plants and animals found during this time period. They create a...
Curated OER
Making Clouds: Aerosol-Cloud Interactions in a Beaker
Students observe a teacher demo on how clouds form. In this earth science lesson, students discover how cloudiness affects relative humidity. They explain the scattering of light by clouds.
Curated OER
Exploring Weather Websites
Students research and locate their own weather data using a weather website. They examine how to locate valid information on the www.weather.com website, and explore the website. Next, they select a city they want to visit, and compare...
Curated OER
Weather with Lewis and Clark: Then and Now
Fourth graders observe and write descriptions of the weather in a journal for one week. They research the daily journals of Lewis and Clark, compare the weather words used to their own personal journals, and discuss the need to...
Nevada Outdoor School
Let It Snow! Let It Melt!
Winter weather offers a great opportunity to teach young scientists about the states of matter. This activity-based lesson plan includes a range of learning experiences, from experimenting with the rate at which ice...
PBS
Sea Surface Temperature, Salinity, and Density
Earth's vast ocean is full of mysteries! Science scholars discover the big-picture properties that influence its characteristics at different latitudes using a lesson from PBS's Weather and Climate series. After completing a background...
K20 LEARN
Water We Going To Do? Floodplains And Watershed Management
How has human activity affected Earth's watersheds? An action-packed lesson plan, part of the K20 Center, examines water's ability to go with the flow regardless of what is in its path. Scholars build model watersheds, examine time-lapse...
Curated OER
Environmental Studies: The Environment Rocks!
Rock exploration, so exciting! After reading the book Everybody Needs a Rock, the class makes sandwiches to better understand that the Earth is made in layers. They then use a description of the 3 types of rock to conduct an observation...
Curated OER
How's the Weather?
Students explore earth science by researching the Internet. In this weather pattern lesson, students utilize the website weather.com to analyze the weather in different geographic locations. Students view charts and graphs based on...
Curated OER
The Day After Tomorrow: How is the Density of Water Related to Climate Change and Global Warming?
Science learners simulate what happens when ice breaks up and floats on water and how increased pressure on ice causes it to melt faster. They view a clip from the movie, The Day After Tomorrow, and relate their lab activities to what...
Curated OER
Watering Our Prairie Farms
After reading an article about irrigation on Canadian farms, learners participate in a discussion. They individually write an opinion paper about the surrounding issues. A lesson like this can be used in an earth science class when...
Curated OER
Local Weather And Location
Students explain how uneven heating of Earth affects wind and water currents. They describe the limits on current technology in predicting weather and how the Water Cycle is related to local weather.
Curated OER
Rocks and Minerals
Students are able to describe earth processes (e.g., rusting, weathering, erosion) that have affected selected physical features in students, neighborhoods. They are able to identify various earth structures (e.g., mountains, faults,...
Curated OER
Create a Cloud In a Jar
Students investigate cloud formation. In this weather lesson plan, students examine how clouds are formed. Students participate in experiments that model how water vapor in the air works.
Curated OER
Cloud Fun
Students observe cumulus clouds. For this weather lesson, students go outside to look at cumulus clouds and observe what the weather is like when they find these types of clouds. They create a cumulus cloud in an art project and complete...
Curated OER
What is Soil?
Learners examine soil. In this earth science lesson, students define and describe weathering and erosion as it relates to soil. Learners compare and contrast potting soil with forest soil and complete a science observation worksheet.
Curated OER
Weather
Students recognize that carbon dioxide's role in the greenhouse effect. They research the greenhouse effect to design and create a greenhouse structure to measure the changing temperatures over a 24-hour period. In addition, they write a...
Curated OER
How Heating and Convection Contributes to Natural Disasters
Students study the basics of heating and cooling and how it pertains to the earth. In this global lesson students read the Magic Tree House book then create a chart of their findings.
Curated OER
Wind
Students conduct an experiment. In this wind measurement lesson, students learn about instruments that measure the wind and then make a weather vane. Students record wind speed over a few days.
Curated OER
Going, Going, Gone!
Sixth graders use the scientific method to test variables of evaporation. For this evaporation lesson plan, 6th graders test a wet handprint on a paper towel and relate this experiment to weather conditions.
Curated OER
Cyclones
Learners explore Earth science by researching natural disasters in class. In this cyclone lesson, students discuss the creation of cyclones and what their potential destruction can be in the wrong environment. Learners read assigned text...
Curated OER
Weather: It Works, or Not?
Students discover the techniques meteorologists use to examine the atmosphere. In groups, they build their own weather station and observe the various weather conditions. They identify the types of weather patterns that allow the...
Curated OER
Severe Weather
Ninth graders investigate the cause and effect of severe weather. In this Earth Science lesson plan, 9th graders use a learning contract and a rubric to develop a presentation about severe weather.
Curated OER
Review For Weather Quiz 2
In this science worksheet, students look at the information carefully in preparation for a formal assessment. The focus is upon defining different aspects of air masses.