Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea Water Mixing and Sinking

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the role of temperature and salinity in determining seawater density. They use a Temperature-Salinity Diagram to examine the effects of mixing on density.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differences Between Ground and Air Temperatures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the differences between air temperature and ground temperature.  In this investigative lesson students find NASA data on the Internet and use it to create a graph. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in the Desert

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Conduct an investigation on the plants used by the Hohokam tribe. To survive in the harsh desert environment the Hohokam used many natural resources. Learners read, research, map, and graph multiple aspects of Hohokam plant use as a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trash Talkin

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate recycling at several scales, including local, state, national and global. They become aware of recycling, re-use, reduce efforts and policies. Students read the article Where Does Your Garbage Go. They look...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Studying Snow and Ice Changes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare the change in snow and ice over a 10 year period. In this environmental science lesson, students use the live data on the NASA site to study and compare the monthly snow and ice amounts on a map of the entire...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Station Models

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Young scholars review weather conditions at various cities and create station models on a weather map.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Landforms and Resource Regions

For Students 4th - 6th
For this geographical regions worksheet, students read a short passage, examine 2 maps which show landforms and regions in South America, then answer 4 comprehension questions based on the information from the maps and the reading passage.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rising Temperatures Threaten Penguins

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine the continent of Antarctica, then read a news article about the decline in the Antarctic penguin population. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun Affects Earth

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read, write, and listen to information about the sun and its effects on the Earth.as it relates to its axis, orbit, rotate, and revolution.  In this solar system lesson plan, 3rd graders examine how the sun...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High Five Burger

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate agricultural sources. For this agricultural lesson, 5th graders read the book Have a Hamburger and See the U.S.A. and record each component of a hamburger. Students use a map of the U.S.A. to locate the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Waterdrops

For Students 4th - 5th
In this science worksheet, students learn about water cycle, weather, clouds, storms and water resources by completing 8 pages of this full color newsletter. Students read a story, study weather maps, learn to make a rain gauge, learn...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Oh Where Did the Rainwater Go?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders conduct an experiment to determine how water moves through different soils found in the Apalachicola River watershed. They read a scenario, conduct the experiment, answer follow-up questions, and draw the water movement...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

The Díne (Navajo) Native American Tribe

For Teachers K
Students participate in a variety of activities to become familiar with the Navajo Indians. In this Díne (Navajo) Native American tribe lesson, students understand where the Navajo tribe lived and find them on a map. Students discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just "Kid"ding Around: The Truth About Goats

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine goats, and read a book based on their history. In this animal lesson, students discover the history of the goat, and complete several activities based on the students' knowledge of the animal.
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

Exploring Modern Human Migrations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Using maps, images, websites, and handouts, learners work to understand the nature of human migrations. They compare and contrast human migration from the past to the present, identify causes for migration, and trace migration routes on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages.  In this geography lesson plan, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited.  Students create an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Island Survival

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students participate in a simulation of life on a deserted island. They work with their group to develop an island survival plan and summarize it in a journal. Students use a worksheet and challenge cards to earn points. They will be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Geography

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore geography of four distinct regions of California: mountains, coast, central valley, and desert. They locate California on map, identify state's boundaries and borders, and explore agriculture, a major economic...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Land Use Worksheet

For Students 9th - 12th
In this environment worksheet, students find the solutions to a real life case study after separating into different groups. There is also information about types of land use for scaffolding of the project.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Cacao?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students use the Internet to learn about the cacao plant.  In this plants instructional activity, students complete a KWL chart on chocolate, learn about cocoa plants and discuss the parts of a plant.  Students use the Internet...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Your Garden Grow? Discovering How Weather Patterns Affect Natural Cycles

For Teachers 7th - 12th
For the warm-up in this cool climate lesson, you will need to click on "Mapping" and then "US Mapping" once you arrive at NOAA's "US Climate at a Glance" page. Earth science explorers realize that 2012 was a warm winter for us. They read...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Star Maps and iPads: Explore The World Above

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Use these helpful stargazing tips and tools to enjoy the night sky this summer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Lesson Five

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars define a weather forecast, make a forecast using a weather map, identify three prediction guidelines, and explain how computers help to make forecasts. Students make a 24-hour forecast for each of the thirteen states...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soils

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students apply knowledge of soil, environmental impacts, economics, multiple human demands, and use given data for a proposed scenario in making land use decisions. They debate land use issues and/or scenarios and discuss a case study.