Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving the Earth

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders simulate the three primary types of fault movement lateral fault, reverse fault, and normal fault by positioning their hands and applying pressure to them to observe the similar action taking place in the Earth's crust.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Is the Earth Preparing to Flip?

For Students 7th - 10th
In this Earth's magnetic poles learning exercise, students read about the changes observed in Earth's magnetic field and the possible geomagnetic reversal of the north and south magnetic poles. Students answer 5 questions about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Change

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students compare weather data and draw conclusions. In this climate change lesson plan, students determine whether data collected over a period of ninety years shows a warming trend. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Changing Atmosphere of Pluto

For Students 9th - 12th
In this atmosphere of Pluto worksheet, students use an equation for the orbit of Pluto to determine the semi-major axis, the semi-minor axis, the ellipticity of the orbit, the aphelion and the perihelion. They also determine the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environmental Studies: The Environment Rocks!

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
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...
PPT
Curated OER

The Work of Waves and Wind

For Teachers 7th - 12th
This is not revolutionary, but it is informative. Earth science viewers in grades 7-12 get carried away with wave and wind erosion. They view diagrams of how waves impact ocean shorelines. They see examples of the different types of sand...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Does Earth's Heat Come From?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students try to determine how the Earth is heated by the sun and other sources. In groups, they identify the other sources of energy and discover why different parts of the world are heated differently during the year. They complete an...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Solar Isolation Changes and the Sunspot Cycle

For Students 8th - 10th
In this sunspot cycle and solar irradiation worksheet, students use 2 graphs of daily total solar irradiance and sunspot activity to solve 3 problems. They find the average solar irradiance during a given time, they determine the...
Lesson Plan
National Park Service

Glaciers and Water

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Explore the amazing power of glaciers with a hands-on earth science experiment! After first learning basic background information, learners go on to create their very own chunks of frozen water and gravel in order to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sculptors of the Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe evidence of erosion and various rock formations that have formed as a result of erosion and weathering. Their task is to explain how the forces of weathering and erosion contributed to sculpturing these rocks into arches...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Incorporating 3D Visualizations into Your Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students make observations through 3-D visualizations. They explore scientific and geologic processes through the use of 3-D pictures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water in Earth's Hydrosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Environmentalists test stream water for temperature, pH, and turbidity. Each group shares their information and then the class makes an overall evaluation of the water quality. A slide show sets the backdrop for the teaching portion and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Science Review for Grade 5 (5.2)

For Students 5th
For this science review for grade 5 (5.2) worksheet, 5th graders answer 25 earth science questions in a standardized test format, including reading maps and diagrams.
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Volcano Models

For Teachers 6th Standards
More than 80 percent of the earth's surface originated from volcanoes. The 16th lesson in a 20-part series introduces the shape and development of volcanoes. It begins with a demonstration using a balloon and flour to illustrate the...
Lesson Plan
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Montana State University

Ice in Action

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Make your own bite-size glacier! A resource teaches about the formation and melting of ice. Activities include videos, a hands-on activity where your pupils build glaciers, and a photographic analysis to teach individuals the chilling...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pangaea Puzzle

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Students explore plate tectonics and the formations of the Earth's surface and why maps are distorted.  In this Earth's surface lesson students complete a lab and answer questions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe the melting of ice. In this phase change lesson, students observe ice as it melts. They discuss the process and create a Venn diagram comparing water and ice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Season's Greetings

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore Earth's seasons using an interactive website. For this earth science lesson, students watch video segments and explain Earth's seasonal milestones. They discuss the factors that causes seasonal changes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Glaciers!

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the earths surface and how changes happen to it.  For this glacier lesson students complete a lab activity to see how glaciers form.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explosive Ideas!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore the layers of the Earth and the dynamic changes that they cause on Earth's surface. Volcanoes and earthquakes become the focus of the lesson as the Oregon State quarter and its Crater Lake images are linked to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Movers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners read an online article about an earthquake and follow up with a series of discussion questions about earthquakes. They answer questions in their science journals about continental drift, plate tetonics, and their influence on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Rock and Roll

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine how the different layers of rock show the history of the Earths surface.  In this rock lesson students divide into groups and complete an activity using clay.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are the Challenges?

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Pupils discuss energy. In this energy challenges instructional activity, students read about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Comprehension questions from the reading are provided. 
PPT
Curated OER

Weather and Climate

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
It's hot today, but is that the weather or the climate? This colorful presentation isolates both concepts to allow for better understanding by covering the positioning of the planet, making comparisons of land versus water, and looking...