Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students simulate the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students create a model of the water cycle. Students draw the water cycle and write a paragraph explaining their drawing.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecology

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research an ecosystem and its endangered species. They create a PowerPoint Presentation, oral report, poster or a booklet based on their research. They research on the internet and in biology texts in teams of 4.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who in the World Is....?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students access how to scan the newspaper for relevant information. They become acquainted with the sections of the newspaper. Students practice summarizing what they have learned.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sonya Clark

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students make a hat that symbolizes special things about them after they explore hats from around the world and see those created by Sonya Clark.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Handle and Dispose of Household Products Safely

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students engage in the study of household cleaning products, how to read the labels and how to use them safely and also how to properly dispose of the containers when they are empty. They read the labels and determine if the products...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe what happens to water as it goes from a solid to a liquid.  In this exploratory lesson plan students gain an understanding for the water cycle while working in groups observing what happens to water as it changes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environmental Education/Water Pollution

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders play a game in which they list as many environmental issues or terms in alphabetical order. They brainstorm ways they can save the environment and create a mural that displayed research found from the internet and Encarta.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trash...it really piles up!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate a contemporary "midden" by analyzing trash collected from various sources and determining life-style choices people make. They see that reducing the amount of waste we generate is helpful to the the environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Journal

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners prepare for field journaling at Yosemite Institute. They create and decorate their Institute journal giving them both a place to journal and ownership of it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alligator

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a model of an alligator out of clay using both artwork and research to guide their finished work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Are All Responsible

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Pupils conduct research about the issue of conservation and the environment. They focus upon the interdependence of man and nature. They write and discuss the issue of environmental preservation. Students appreciate the importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Density Boundaries

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners create observable layers in water that represent a separation based upon density differences. They model density boundaries using differences in temperature and salinity. They, in groups, perform a meaningful experiment...
Activity
Other

Siemens Science Day: Physical Science: Recycled Again!

For Students 9th - 10th
Students will discover how to separate recycled goods by completing this hands-on science activity. Learn how physical properties are used to sort recyclable materials.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Every American Recycling Together Helps

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Lesson where students learn about recycling by collecting trash from the schoolyard and watching a podcast about recycling. Additional activities are provided corresponding to different subject areas, such as reading, math, social...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Recycled Towers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn about material reuse by designing and building the strongest and tallest towers they can, using only recycled materials. They follow design constraints and build their towers to withstand earthquake and high wind simulations.
Lesson Plan
Marilyn J. Brackney

Imagination Factory: Art Is More Than a Pretty Picture

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
With this art activity, individuals or groups can use a wide variety of objects to create a collage of America. The example collage is made of garbage, and is intended to be a commentary on our problems with trash.
Lesson Plan
Marilyn J. Brackney

Imagination Factory: Sculpture Activities

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site provides eight art activities which teach students of all age to make a variety of sculptures. Activities provided include: "Mat Board Sculpture," "Create a Butterfly Mobile," and "Carve a Free-Form Sculpture."
Handout
Environmental Education for Kids

Eek!: Nature's Recyclers Coloring Book

For Students 3rd - 5th
Did you know that nature has its own clean-up crew and recycling staff? Yeah, there aremany plants and animals that help recycle natural materials in our environment. They take deadmaterials and turn them back into rich soil. Use this...
Lesson Plan
Marilyn J. Brackney

Imagination Factory: Trash Matcher

For Students 3rd - 5th
Got Trash? Who doesn't? You can turn it to treasure by using the Trash Matcher. Click on the type of trash you have to find directions for fun projects that will use up your recyclables.
Lesson Plan
Other

Think Green: Earth Day Project Ideas: Grades 6 8 [Pdf]

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Give your middle schoolers the tools to live and think green with these fun educational projects and art activities. Projects are useful for helping students learn to make good environmental decisions. [PDF]
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Spark!lab: Make a Yo Yo From Recycled Stuff

For Students 3rd - 5th
This activity explains how to use materials that might otherwise be recycled in order to create a yo-yo.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Build a Balloon Car

For Students 6th - 8th
With craft and recycled materials, kids can make all kinds of rolling vehicles. Add balloons to make this balloon car and see Newton's laws of motion in action.
Activity
Children's Discovery Museum

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose: Make a Cardboard Train

For Students 3rd - 5th
Show off your artistic skills by creating your own cardboard train using recyclable materials in your home.
Lesson Plan
Marilyn J. Brackney

Imagination Factory: Create a Butterfly Mobile

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This site provides information on Alexander Calder, the inventor of the kinetic sculpture known as the mobile, as well as detailed instructions on how to create your own butterfly mobile. Included are "Tips and Tricks" to making "a more...