Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geologic Mapping I

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students create a geologic map and cross-section of an area of horizontal sedimentary rocks, exposed in several locations. Map must include a complete key or legend with rock descriptions of the various formations.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Mineral Mixtures

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science learning exercise, students use basic scientific concepts to complete the series of puzzles that are intended to increase science literacy for classifying types of rocks and minerals.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Erosion Deposition Review

For Students 7th - 10th
In this erosion deposition worksheet, students fill in 36 blanks to complete sentences about the formation of soil, the forces of erosion, physical and chemical weathering, sediments and soil deposition.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mastering the Keyboard

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders view an animated program showing how the continents fit together millions of years ago. In groups, they compare and contrast the distribution of rocks and fossils based on how the continents fit together. After reading a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Primary Energy Sources Pros and Cons

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students explore the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In this earth science instructional activity, students discuss the pros and cons of each type. They conduct a variety of experiments on renewable energy.
PPT
Curated OER

Sunken Millions

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
This PowerPoint provides a game show format with multiple choice questions about fresh and salt water. Topics include sources of water, water geography, uses of water, and the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 50 States and its Holidays

For Teachers Pre-K - Higher Ed
Though the format of this ELL instructional activity is confusing (the standards listed are for plate tectonics, yet the objectives are for American geography and holidays), a teacher could glean some ideas from the main idea. Here,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Screening River Rocks

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore river rocks. Searching with screens and containers, 1st graders identify the different kinds and sizes of rocks. They separate rocks into containers according to pebbles, gravel and sand. Students write about their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regolith Formation

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the process of regolith formations. In groups, students define regolith and discover how regolith is formed on the Earth and on the Moon. They participate in experimental activities to simulate regolith.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: A Scoop of Moon Dirt

For Teachers K - 8th
Students discover soil characteristics and how it is formed on Earth and the Moon by examining local samples to a lunar simulant. They replicate the effects of wind erosion by scraping dry bread with sandpaper. Students use rocks and...
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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Landforms Word Search Puzzle

For Students 6th - 7th
In this types of landforms word search worksheet, students will find and circle the names of 15 different kinds of landforms such as volcano and mountain.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Volcanoes Grow

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars study volcanoes including rock fragments, ash, aerosols and gases.  In this volcano lesson students divide into groups and build models of the three major types of volcanoes. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time for All Ages

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover time keeping by analyzing technological advances in history.  In this time lesson, 4th graders create and complete a KWL chart based on their research of a famous timekeeping invention, such as a sundial....
Organizer
Curated OER

Earth

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Earth worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer by describing the Earth's layers and the types of rocks and landforms found on the Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex Fossil

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the formation of fossils and list the different types. They make cast model of a dinosaur fossil. They write about conditions that are necessary for fossils to form and create a model of a buried fossil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sampling the Ocean Floor

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students sample goodies from an unseen ocean floor and try to accurately describe their composition. This simulation helps students explain the limitations of sampling and the problem of obtaining representative samples of sea floor...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Types of Scientists

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, middle schoolers match each type of scientist listed in the left-had column to its correct description found in the right-hand column. There are 34 different scientists to match on the sheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson One: Rock N Rhythm & Rhyme (Part One)

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders listen to poetry to find rhyme and rhythm. In this poetry lesson, 2nd graders listen to different types of poetry and find how they are alike. They look for rhyming words and create their own rhymes. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Landforms

For Students 7th - 9th
In this landforms instructional activity, students answer 2 questions about the major land forms and types of mountains. They match 10 landforms and types of mountains with their definitions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Formation of Soil

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the different components that make up soil. In this earth science lesson, students create a pamphlet for next year's class. They analyze how erosion and weathering shape the Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Candy Quakes

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders, using a candy bar, gum, and Twizzlers, demonstrate the effects of deformational forces on the earth's crust. They examine the processes of rock and fossil formation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geographic Regions and Backyard Geology with the USGS Tapestry Map

For Teachers 6th - 12th
A beautiful tapestry map of North America is examined by geology masters. The map incorporates the topography and geology of different regions. You can purchase printed copies or a large poster of the map, or if you have a computer lab...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Volcanoes Grow

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars build models of the three major types of volcanoes and see how a volcano's shape is related to the type of material it erupts. As a class, they observe a demonstration that simulates the nature of two volcanic materials:...