Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Elements of the Water Cycle

For Teachers 4th
The basic elements of the water cycle and how water is recycled through our environment is focused on in this lesson plan. Your students construct classroom terrariums and learn to make and record observations relating to the water...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Doin' The Moonwalk

For Teachers K - 2nd
If you are looking for an outstanding lesson on the Moon for your budding astronomers, look no further! This outstanding plan is full of wonderful, meaningful activities for your charges to engage in. Pupils will discover why there are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water in the Geosphere

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Through a PowerPoint presentation and the embedded animation and video, earth science enthusiasts find out about the moisture in the soil beneath our feet. In the animation, follow a water molecule on its path through the water cycle. As...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sensational Soil

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Fourth and fifth graders explore soil by taking a simulated field trip under the earth. They go to an Internet site that runs a simulation which charges them with finding a source of pollution that could destroy all of Earth's soil, and...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Things Are Not Always What They Seem

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Science is magic that works. Magical color-changing beads and a coffee can that follows voice commands are just two examples of magic tricks that rely on science. After completing a hands-on activity and an experiment investigating the...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Human Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
As the great and hilarious Tim Minchin once said, "Science is simply the word we use to describe a method of organizing our curiosity." Science is more than just a guess; it is based on questions, observations, and evidence. High...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taking the Measure of the Universe

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Four fabulous activities immerse amateur astronomers into measuring objects that we cannot handle. The experiences are applied to NASA's Space Interferometry Mission, which will take measurements of planets around stars other than our...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Effects on Global Warming

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the greenhouse effect and how it affects our climate.  In this global warming lesson students draw the sun and label features and describe the effects of the sun's energy on the world. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Environmental Issues

For Students 8th - 10th
In this environmental issues worksheet, students are given 10 current topics that are problems in our environment today. They complete sentences about each topic by filling in the blanks with the appropriate terms. Some of the issues...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Understanding Climate Change

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Explore the causes and effects of a warming planet with your students.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Heat Things Up!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students build and evaluate simple models to understand the greenhouse effect. They explore the role of increased greenhouse gas concentration in global warming, and the implications of global warming theory for engineers, themselves...
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Rocks: Anatomy of Granite

For Students 9th - 12th
Get earth science students excited about the formation of rocks with an engaging interactive resource. Learners analyze the composition of granite, then study the various processes that work together to make igneous, sedimentary, and...
Lesson Plan
1
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Science 4 Inquiry

Temperature of Inner Planets

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Mars, Earth, and Venus contain atmospheres that generate weather. Young scientists explore the temperature of inner planets. They create a model simulating the greenhouse effect before researching and answering guided questions to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going Local with Global Warming

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine climate change by using recent temperature records.  In this data analysis lesson students plot weather data and study the differences between weather and climate. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fact of Global Warming

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate the harmful impact of global warming by reading news articles.  In this environmental care lesson, students analyze an article about the Kyoto Protocol and its goal of saving our environment.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore (Grades 2-5)

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students give examples of erosion and weathering processes. They determine causes of America's Dust Bowl phenomena.Students define erosion as the condition in which the earth's surface is worn away by the action of water and wind.
Lesson Plan
Florida International University

Design Your Own

For Students 9th - 12th
Apply scientific principles to designing an experiment to study organisms living on the coral reef in our oceans. Through reading, individuals learn about the coral reef ecosystem and important factors that affect its function....
Worksheet
Curated OER

Why Earthquakes Occur

For Students 6th - 9th
In this earthquake learning exercise, students learn about why earthquakes occur. After reading the information, they answer the 12 questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shoot for the Moon

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders distinguish the different phases of the moon. In this astronomy lesson plan, 2nd graders study the history of its discovery and myths about its origin. They simulate how the moon's surface is illuminated by the sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mathematics of Convection: Nature's Model for Energy Production

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers conduct a series of experiments to investigate density, buoyancy and climate. In this math lesson, pupils design and build a hot air balloon to demonstrate convection. They research and write a paper about solar chimneys.
Lesson Plan
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Population Connection

The Human-Made Landscape

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Agriculture, deforestation, and urbanization. How have human's changed the planet and how might we mitigate the effects of human activity on the planet? To answer these questions class members research the changes in human land use from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slip Slidin' Away

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students investigate mechanical weathering as a form of erosion. In this erosion lesson, students, define weathering and erosion before determining how the Earth's surface is in a constant state of change. They watch a video, access...
Worksheet
1
1
K12 Reader

Atmospheric Layers

For Students 4th - 5th Standards
In this two-part reading comprehension worksheet, kids read a passage about the atmospheric layers surrounding the earth and then respond to a series of comprehension questions based on the passage.
Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

Diversity of Living Things

For Teachers 8th Standards
Here's a topic classes can really dig—the fossil record. Use the well-organized and thoughtful road map to take eighth graders back in time to unearth the answer. Learn how our climate has changed, and how organisms have...