Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where is Oil Found?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars determine that crude oil is found in porous rocks (reservoirs) rather than in caves or caverns.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing a Picture

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine various photographs and identify three conclusions from them. Using the pictures, they write their own story based on their observations. They share their stories with the class and discuss how some of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BOWEN'S REACTION SERIES

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research Bowen's Reaction Series and recreate the process in an experiment which details the crystallization sequence of minerals that can be observed in nature.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SCRUMPTIOUS SOIL

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars engage in investigations that lead to the discovery that earth materials consist of rocks, soils, water, and air. They build models of soil profiles, using breakfast cereal and other edible materials. They observe how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Frigid Gourmet

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars make a " science surprise" or ice cream in the lab. In this melting point depression lesson plan, students use various substances with ice to determine the effects on the melting point of ice and the ability to make ice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigation 6 - Soil Profile

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the components of soil. They observe the basic components of soil and relate the components to plant growth. They record color, texture, and kinds of materials on their profile log (light color, denser, grittier -...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Inferences

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use their knowledge about fossils to arrange fossil pictures in sequence from oldest to youngest. They explain how fossils can be used to make inferences about past life, climate, geology, and environments and discover...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in the Soil?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine soil to find its contents, and how much water and air they can measure.  In this soil composition lesson, 4th graders perform three experiments and record their results.  In one experiment they examine...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

PICTURE PERFECT PYRAMID

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a model of the USDA's Food Pyramid Guide, using shoe boxes. They bring an assortment of shoe boxes from home. Students are given a copy of the "Food Guide Pyramid." They wrap boxes for the bread group in white,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Homes for Hermit Crabs

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars discover the differences between hermit crabs and mollusks and identify their parts. After reading a story about hermit crabs, they complete an anatomy worksheet. For another activity, students fold and cut a diagram of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under Our Feet

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students investigate the forest ecosystem to learn of the living and non-living elements of the soil. In this ecosystem lesson, students examine soil for twigs, moss, fungi, leaves, roots and other matter.   Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Up, Breaking Down

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students investigate how rocks are modified into construction materials. In this building up and breaking down lesson plan, students explore what happens to building materials over time and how people modify natural materials. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regolith Formation

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study what regolith is and how it contrasts with weathering on Earth.  In this weathering instructional activity students divide into groups, hypothesize and confirm their guesses. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature's Polyhedrons

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the characteristics of polyhedra. Through hands-on activities and interactive videos, students investigate and retrieve information on polyhedra and crystal structures. Students study angles and symmetry. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes Inside Planets

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students relate meteorites to the mantle and crust of asteroids.  In this planetary lesson students complete experiments to model the separation of light.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil pH Effect on Germination of Specific Weeds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners collect weed seeds from three varieties of weeds (knapweed, thistle, or toadflax, for example they may choose others in addition to the spotted knapweed.) They sterilize soil for thirty containers, plant seeds in sterile soil,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rust Never Sleeps

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate oxidation-reduction reactions involving iron by conducting an experiment in which they expose iron filings to different atmospheric and ocean conditions. They relate the results to the oxidation banding patterns seen...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crystal Growing

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore the different phases of a crystal.  In this mineral lesson plan students grow their own sugar crystals using a sugar recipe. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals, Animals, Everywhere

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a variety of activities dealing with animal characteristics and classifications in this multi-task lesson. They use graphic organizers, make booklets, and make models.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Town on the Move

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students evaluate the moving of buildings, then read a news article about one town relocating building to save their economy. In this economics and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mixtures of Matter

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students experiment with mixtures of matter. In this matter lesson, students investigate which liquids form a solution when mixed together and which do not. Students also identify which solids can be separated from matter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watershed Landscape

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students demonstrate how water flows by building a human watershed using themselves. For this ecology lesson, students compare and contrast point-source and non-point source pollution. They write what they have learned from this activity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stop Heat from Escaping

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the uses of insulation and describe how insulation helps to conserve energy. They work in groups and use plastic, wool, paper and aluminum to experiment with the heat-retaining properties of various materials.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is There Water on Mars?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students decide whether or not there is or has even been water on Mars. They analyze temperature and pressure data from the Pathfinder mission to Mars, and then they analyze images of Mars, interpreting the landforms they see and...

Other popular searches