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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physical Geography of South Asia

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students describe the physical forces that formed and shaped the Himalaya, then discuss the physical geography of Mount Everest and how it influences the routes climbers take to the summit.
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Unit Plan
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Curated OER

Volcanoes: First Grade Lesson Plans and Activities

For Teachers 1st Standards
Introduce young geologists to types of volcanoes during the pre-lab. First graders explore how different liquids flow with an experiment on viscosity to simulate how different types of lava flow. Next, they learn about the parts of a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Striking Earthquake!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students simulate strike slip faults using CEENBoTs. In this earth science lesson, students identify the fault lines and tectonic plates on a world map. They label the different parts of a fault line.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Normal (dip-slip) Earthquake!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students label the fault lines and tectonic plate boundaries on the world map. In this earth science lesson, students simulate ocean floor formation using CEENboTs. They explain the causes of earthquakes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get the Drift?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
The anticipatory set is clever: give groups five minutes to work on the puzzle and then discuss what strategies they used to match the few that connected. This introduces middle schoolers to the concept of continental drift. A portion of...
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Lesson Plan
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Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi

Find the Most Spectacular Volcanoes in the World!

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Heat things up in your earth science class with this collaborative lesson plan on volcanoes. After first being introduced to the different types of volcanoes and how they are formed, young geologists work in small groups to research the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hydrothermal Vent Challenge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Give our ocean voyagers the "Hydrothermal Vent Challenge!" It is a worksheet that guides them through an exploration of hydrothermal vents and the chemical reactions that occur when lava meets seawater. Using a collection of websites,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 4: How do Volcanoes fit in the picture?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students plot recent volcanic activity on a world map and look for relationships between volcanoes and plate boundaries.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enrichment Lesson 1: Letter to the President

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students revisit story that they read before they began the project and demonstrate their understanding of the relationship between earthquakes and tectonic plates by presenting the information in the form of a letter to the president.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Continental Drift

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students simulate convection waves using a model. In this earth science lesson, students explain the effect of plate movements to Earth's geography. They use the internet to find answers to graphic organizer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcano Live

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students discover the inevitable threat of volcanoes as they identify the ring of fire. In this natural disasters lesson, students examine the tectonic plate theory and discuss how magma works it's way to the surface of the Earth....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physical Geography of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Pupils access information from the United States Geological Survey's Web site This Dynamic Earth to research the Ring of Fire. They answer four questions and then apply what they have learned to create a bulletin board display.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ring of Fire

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students locate some of the 1,500 active volcanoes on a world map. Then by comparing their maps with a map of the world's tectonic plates, they discover that volcanoes occur because of the dynamic nature of the Earth's lithosphere.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structure of the Earth

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the forces that are constantly acting on the Earth. They describe the theory of tectonic plates and demonstrate the two kinds of earthquake waves. They also examine the role of volcanoes in the structure of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recent Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars study the recent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  In this recent earthquakes lesson students complete an activity while working in groups.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Plate Boundaries

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students discover plate boundaries based on the uneven geographic occurrence of geologic hazards. After discussing geologic hazards, students plot different sets of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on maps.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

How do Volcanoes Fit in the Picture?

For Students 5th - 8th
In this volcanoes worksheet, students look at maps and answer short answer questions about volcanoes, plate boundaries, and earthquakes. Students complete 4 questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake Introduction

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students investigate basic principles and properties of earthquakes, including vocabulary, causes, and types of faults. They examine history of seismic activity in their home state, and complete "Locating Patterns of Distribution" lab.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The End of an Era

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the American-Mongolian paleontology expedition of Cretaceous fossil beds at Ukhaa Tolgod in the Gobi Desert. They present information about the life forms, tectonics, climate and geology of this time.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Harm's Way: Natural Disasters in My Community

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders research and debate natural disasters that have occurred in their community. They assess whether these natural disasters were avoidable or were accidents. They investigate the extent of insurance coverage for disasters.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Journeys: Right Place, Right Time

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders measure distances on a map using string and a ruler. They complete mathematical word problems about measurement.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Australian Mammals: Evolutionary Development as a Result of Geographic Isolation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars comprehend the difference between monotremes, marsupials, and placental mammals. They are able to compare and contrast these organisms (Australian mammals) with other mammals. Students are able to identify Australian...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plotting Earthquakes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore earthquakes. Using the National Earthquake Information Center website, students plot daily earthquakes on a map. They observe the magnitude of each earthquake. Students identify the pattern of earthquake locations and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pangaea Puzzle Pieces

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students i examine 10 pieces of evidence for the Pangaea theory and use them to reconstruct the super continent. They determine that land masses on Earth are slowly changing shape as a result of moving for millions of years.