Seventh graders view a recent transparency of the average rainfall zones of the state of Texas. Using another transparency, they identify the Piney Woods subregion of the Gulf Coastal Plain and locate national forests and sawmills. ...

Students participate in an estimation and measurement activity to improve their estimates of the size of hail. They hold several different sized wooden balls and record their guesses of the ball's diameters. They compare their estimates.

High schoolers investigate the research report that measures the levels of water usage for Utah. They focus on conservation efforts that are currently being used. They reflect upon their own amount of water usage and research methods of...

Students watch for milkweed plants from the previous fall and choose several new plants to monitor. Then make observations and measurements about the plants. The connection with the weather is also made with the monitoring of...

Take cover because a wild presentation on hurricanes is about to make landfall in your classroom! An outstanding PowerPoint presentation is the centerpiece of this lesson. Not only does it provide information and photographs, but several...

Ice is nice, and its condition on the planet has a significant effect. Junior geoscientists experiment with ice melting in both water and on land to discover how each affect the rising sea level. This detailed lesson outline even...

Students explore the relationship between the amount of water in the atmosphere available for precipitation and the actual precipitation observed by satellite. They examine seasonal changes in precipitation. They practice using Internet...

Getting kids thinking about climate change now, will hopefully push them into action when they become adults. Young environmentalists discuss the evidence and causes of climate change seen in the state of California. They brainstorm ways...

Open with a discussion on weather and climate and then explain how tree rings can provide scientists with information about the earth's past climate. Pupils analyze graphics of simulated tree rings from various US locations for the...

Monarch butterfly populations have decreased by 90 percent over the past 20 years due to misuse and ineffectiveness of some pesticides. Given the challenge to increase pesticide safety and effectiveness, the class, through discussion,...

While it may not be possible to take an entire class to Egypt and explore the ancient wonders, it is possible to engage your young historians in activities that ask them to research these and other antiquities and place them on their...

Study order of operations using a peanut butter and jelly sandwich activity as your guide. The class watches you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich based on a volunteer's instructions. They discuss the importance of following...

Students understand the dynamics of acid rain and its impact on the living and non-living environment. They hypothesize how acid rain affects water pH levels in two lake systems with differing watershed features.

Students examine several concepts about weather in the seven lessons of this unit. This year long activity helps students to gather data seasonally about wind, clouds, precipitation, and temperature. Earth's three climate zones are...

In this estuary activity, students examine data about the salinity of the Hudson River, create a graph from given data and complete 12 short answer questions about the data and graph.

Students examine the different ways heat can be felt.  In this radiation and conduction lesson, students recognize that the sun radiates heat. Students conduct three experiments to find how the sun warms the Earth and how that heat...

Students map and research imaginary islands located in different parts of the world. They describe the weather and climate of their island and show how local currents, water temperatures and waves may influence the weather patterns.

Students investigate the physical, chemical and biological parameters necessary to establish an ecological baseline. Establishing an ecological baseline not only shows the ecological characteristics of a creek but makes the possible...

Students practice various comprehension strategies to generate the main idea of the text. They encounter unfamiliar concepts and new vocabulary in their quest of the main idea in "Watson's Goes to Burmingham." The Five W's (What, Where,...

In this earth science worksheet, middle schoolers visit the weather sites listed to answer the weather questions on the sheet. They define super cell and complete the paragraph. Students also name and sketch three types of snowflakes.

Here's a simple matching worksheet to help ELL learners practice weather related vocabulary words. Learners match the weather vocabulary word on the right with the correct definition on the left.

Students conduct an experiment.  In this El Nino instructional activity, students learn where El Nino storms come from, what they consist of and what effects they have.  Students also complete an experiment where they create a...

Students study deserts and how they occur.  In this desert lesson plan students research deserts and desertification then divide into groups and come up with an action plan to help rehabilitate these areas. 

Second graders construct a bar graph comparing local precipitation to that of the Yucatan. In this graphing lesson, 2nd graders will use conversions and problem solving strategies.