Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock My World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students conduct a hands-on experiment designed to demonstrate how continents and oceans formed and why the manner of formation is relevant to a study of volcanoes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Primary Producers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the role of carbon in the oceans and how phytoplankton determine the levels present. In groups, they practice measuring primary productivity using two methods. They use the internet to research the role of phytoplankton...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Life

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Mini-marine biologists use Scholastic Explorers website to learn about declining numbers of leatherback sea turtles and dusky dolphins. They fill out a K-W-L chart and observation journal worksheet, which are both provided in the lesson...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wonderful Whales

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Primary marine biologists consider the largest living animals on Earth, the whales. Introduce them to general anatomy, unique adaptations, and behaviors. Teach them to sing a song that will help them remember some of these facts....
Lesson Plan
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Penguins Around the World

For Teachers K - 5th
Students investigate penguins. In this Science lesson, students compare and contrast penguins to flying birds. Students use a Venn diagram to illustrate the differences and similarities of penguins and flying birds.
PPT
Reed Novel Studies

Dolphins of the World

For Students 4th - 8th Standards
Pair a novel study of Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell with a presentation on dolphins. The 37-slide PowerPoint shows different types of dolphins all around the world, includes a brief description of each, and provides a photo...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Any Day Can Be Earth Day

For Teachers 4th - 8th
You can make the spirit of Earth Day last year round with these long-term projects.
Unit Plan
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NASA

The Atmospheric Filter

For Teachers 5th - 8th
What is the difference between a comet and a meteoroid? An educational lesson includes five demonstrations of how the atmosphere can inhibit our ability to measure many things in the galaxy. 
Lesson Plan
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Looking for a Walrus

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students perform the "Looking for a Walrus" song while role-playing to show their awareness of walrus adaptations. They study the words and add motions to the song.
Lesson Plan
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Jeannette

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars develop hypothesis about what might happen when salt water is frozen. In groups, they freeze ice samples with different salt concentrations. They use the internet to research the situation of the Jeannette to discover...
Worksheet
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Ecosystems

For Students 6th - 12th
In this ecosystems activity, students complete a crossword puzzle with 35 questions about the different types of ecosystems and organisms in them.
Lesson Plan
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Biomes: Extreme Climate

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a web connecting global warming, the Arctic, and wold climate. They write a paragraph explaining the role of the Arctic in world climate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extreme Climate

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss global warming, greenhouse effect, permafrost and other key words.  In this climate lesson students create a web that connects global warming, the Arctic and world climate then write a paragraph explaining the role...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Climatic Changes

For Students 6th - 8th
For this weather worksheet, students read an excerpt describing the climate and extinction. Then they explain what the climate was like during the Age of Dinosaurs. Students also determine some factors that affected the climate during...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salt Water Wedge

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students conduct an experiment to observe the properties of both salt and freshwater. They explain why freshwater will stay at the surface while salt water will travel up a river bottom because of density. Students also research the...
Lesson Plan
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Antarctica

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore why Antarctica is so important to the planet. They investigate the physical characteristics. Students create their own unique treaty of governance for Antarctica and discuss how laws are enforced in Antarctica.
Lesson Plan
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Moon Journal

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe Moon and its features, and record results both in written form and in a drawing on the given template.
Lesson Plan
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Coral Reefs Endangered

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify different types of nutritional relationships in a coral reef system and trace the energy flow.  In this marine biology lesson students create a simulation of acidification of the coral reef. 
Lesson Plan
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Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica Today

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the importance of research in Antarctica, then explain how snow becomes part of the Antarctic ice cap. They explore Antarctica's harsh environment and discover how scientists drill ice cores and what information ice...
Lesson Plan
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Layers of the Earth

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Learners discern that the earth is made up of different layers.
Lesson Plan
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Sail, Sail, Sail Your Ship!

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students listen to the book, Columbus Day, by Paul Showers and discuss the historical significance of Christopher Columbus. They create Columbus Day booklets, sing a Christopher Columbus song, and develop graphic organizers.
Lesson Plan
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Earth Systems

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate biological systems. They summarize relationships between systems. Students determine how systems relate within the biosphere. They analyze the carbon cycle.
Lesson Plan
Bridge

Mercury - Mercury is Rising

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Hold a discussion in your class about the increase in mercury being found in fish that are caught commercially as food for humans. Given a worksheet, learners then calculate how much fish a person can safely eat each month to remain...
Lesson Plan
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Photosynthesis

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students are introduced to the process of photosynthesis. In groups, they test the effects of the lack of sunlight on plant leaves and compare the results with their hypothesis. They note the characteristics that plants and animals share...