Curated OER
Density and Convection Currents
Students listen as the teacher explains convection currents in the ocean. They experiment with finding a smoking match in the classroom with their eyes closed. Students discuss what might effect their ability to pinpoint the smoke...
Curated OER
Which Boundary Am I?
Sixth graders find 12 statements which describe the characteristics of the three boundary types, arranged in random order. Their task is to read each statement, and then CUT and PASTE it to the the appropriate boundary icon.
Curated OER
Active Faulting in Idaho
Students use CAD maps to explore active faults in Idaho. Through observation of maps, they explore the layers of the Quaternary and Holocene faults. Individually, or in groups, they identify characteristics of faults such as scarps,...
Curated OER
Crossword
In this crossword worksheet that focuses on natural disasters, students find the vertical word in the colored squares by filling in the right words in ten lines in the horizontal boxes. Answers appear at the bottom of the worksheet.
Curated OER
Geology with Peanut Butter and Jelly
Young scholars will enjoy smashing the two tectonic sandwich plates together in faulting and compression fashions! They may even desire to capture their instructional destruction in a slideshow.
Curated OER
Earthquakes
Sixth graders explore reasons for earthquakes. They discuss and describe the types of faults. Using the internet, 6th graders research a specific location of a former earthquake. They describe the damage, magnitude, the epicenter,...
Curated OER
Pass the Plate
Students define constructive forces. They describe how landforms are created as a result of constructive forces. Students recognize active volcano areas in the United States. They demonstrate an understanding of Panagea.
Curated OER
Formation of Rain
Learners sequence the steps leading to the formation of rain, and design a model to represent these steps. This task assesses students' abilities to classify, generalize, infer, interpret and communicate data, and construct a pictorial...
Curated OER
Moving Continents
For this moving continents worksheet, students review the different types of plate boundaries, what causes earthquakes, and where volcanoes are formed. This worksheet has 10 fill in the blank and 9 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Science Test-Grade 5
In this grade 5 science test activity, 5th graders complete a 30 question multiple choice quiz covering a variety of grade 5 concepts.
Curated OER
Integrating Physical Science and the Geological Environment
Students undertake a series of experiments and activities related to geology, especially in Connecticut. They evaluate types of rocks, minerals, and crystals, exploring the main concepts of geology.
Curated OER
The Chemosynthetic Cafe
Learners study photosynthesis and chemosynthesis. In this chemosynthetic lesson students explain the processes of these and define terms.
Curated OER
A Hydrothermal Adventure
Students analyze hydrothermal vents. For this hydrothermal vents lesson, students discover the effects of hydrothermal vents on tectonic plates. Students make model hydrothermal vents to understand how they form and operate.
Curated OER
One Word Substitution
In this letter d words activity, students match letter d words with their definitions. Students complete 10 letter d word matches.
Curated OER
Climatic Changes
In this climate changes worksheet, students review the different events such as volcanic eruptions and El Nino that change the climate. This worksheet has 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Wind
Students complete activities to study wind intensity. In this wind study activity, students discuss wind speed and direction. Students then build a kite and windsock to help them study wind intensity. Students learn to use a wind meter...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Mountain Maker, Earth Shaker
This interactive activity adapted from A Science Odyssey Web site helps you visualize different types of plate tectonic activity and shows the impact this activity has on Earth's surface.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Let's Build the Earth!: The Structure of the Earth's Crust and Interior
In this activity, students will make observations then construct a "sample" model representation of the Earth's layers. They will compare and contrast the movement and material in each layer explaining the location and what it contains.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Mapping Vertical Movements
Using flubber and plastic wrap, young scholars study the Earth's crust and mantle.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Earth at Work
This site from PBS provides a description of the mechanisms behind the plate movements, types of movements, and the resulting earthquakes, faults, and images and animations of several of the topics presented.
Columbia University
Columbia University: Evidence for Internal Earth Structure and Composition
College-level research information describes how the movement of Earth's interior causes seismic wave activity.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Uncovering Plate Tectonics
In this investigation, students will be given an opportunity to make the connection between plate boundary movement and the topographic features of the earth.
Other
University of Delaware: Plate Tectonics
This site is a very simple overview of plate tectonics. It includes a map of all the major plates and a diagram of the layers of the earth.
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Foldable Fault Blocks [Pdf]
In this lesson, students will create three-dimensional (3-D) blocks out of paper to learn about the types of faulting that occur at the Earth's surface and its interior. Students will manipulate three fault blocks to demonstrate a normal...