+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Radioactive Decay to Determine Geologic Age

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigae using radioactive decay to determine geologic age.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Back to the Past

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students label fossil imprints. In this Geology activity, students view fossil imprints of several items. Students explain what a fossil is.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lunar Geology

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate mineral contents in lunar rocks.  In this lunar rock lesson students identify simulated lunar rocks based on mineral content. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Field Research Project: Comparing the Parent Rock Material of the San Francisco Terranes With Local Soil Types

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate rocks and minerals and take a field trip to sample soils. They analyze rocks and soil, research the geological terrenes of the topology of San Francisco, and produce a lab research report.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sediment Sleuths

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students classify sediments based on their physical characteristics, such as size, shape and color. They identify and describe rocks and minerals that are common to their region of the state.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just a Bag of Rocks

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine and investigate a bag of rocks. They sort and classify the rocks, analyze the textures, and answer conclusion questions.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Identification Lab

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare and contrast the three different types of rock. For this earth science lesson, 8th graders classify rock samples according to their correct rock type. They design their own data collection table.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources: Mining in B.C.

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore energy by categorizing rocks. In this British Columbia geology lesson, students define many different vocabulary terms associated with mining such as sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Students utilize sample rock...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crinoids: Flowers f the Iowa Seas

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students study the rocks and fossils associated with the geologic landscape of Iowa. In this rocks and fossils lesson, students examine fossils that would be found in the Iowa landscape that show evidence of marine invertebrates such as...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocky Observations

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine two images of rocks, make their own observations of individual rocks through drawing, and explain how the same observation skills can be used in the study of geology.
+
Lesson Plan
Science Friday

How Boulders Are Born

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Want your class to rock? Then try this boulder activity. Pupils learn about a specific boulder field and use edible materials to demonstrate the geological processes that formed this unique feature. Weathering, erosion, and mass wasting...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sorting Rocks

For Teachers K
Students develop a rock word web during a large group discussion. Using the categories generated during that discussion, they sort their rock samples accordingly.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Collecting Rocks

For Teachers K
Students investigate how rocks are formed, how they are used, and how to collect them by listening to a read aloud of Roma Gans, Let's Go Collecting Rocks.. They discover background knowledge of rocks.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock On

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a powerpint presentation to inform their classmates about a selected type of rock. Students are divided into groups to research a particular type of rock. Each group researches their topic using traditional and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Recycle a Rock

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the rock cycle and explore how rocks are made, changed, destroyed and recreated. They create representations of these processes with hands-on activities.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mineral or Maceral Mosaic

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study about geologists and their job. They also study that rocks are made up of minerals and organic material by conducting an experiment where they create their own "granite" or "coal".
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mineral Lab

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the physical properties of different minerals. For this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain the uses of minerals in their daily lives. They complete the mineral identification table during the lesson.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding the Ages of Rocks and Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students practice dating fossils. They learn the concept of "deep time"--that earth was formed billions of years ago. They experience excellent hand-outs and virtual age tutorial links.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GeoHunt

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students describe the difference between geological resources and othe natural resources. They list the rocks, minerals, and fossil fuels that are found in Illinois and their uses. They identify ways to conserve natural resources.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet Oit!

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders use this game to find minerals given rocks and outcrops in a plausible (but not real) geologic setting. They play without outside encouragement for hours as the world is fun to explore and the scoring system encourages...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science NetLinks: Fossils and Geologic Time

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the development of the geologic time scale. Also, to introduce them to the major time periods in earth's history, as well as to the role fossils play in helping us understand this history.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology of Yosemite

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students are shown slides of Yosemite and explore how the valley was formed by performing an experiment. Instructions on how to set up the lab are included. They can be assessed orally or by writing a report on the outcome of the lab.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Land Use Issues

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners observe and describe the properties of rocks and their significance relationship in the environment. They explain the implications of destroying habitats and the importance of rebuilding them.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geologic Time Scale

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners research the geologic time scale. They create and recognize the importance of a geologic time line.