Lesson Plan
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The Celestial Sphere and Circumpolar Motion

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Learners investigate the celestial sphere and circumpolar motion. In this science lesson, students view an applet, The Celestial Sphere and Circumpolar Motion. Learners discuss the Earth's rotation and stellar movement.
Lesson Plan
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Day And Night

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine how the earth experiences day and night by using a flashlight and a globe as a model.
Worksheet
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What Causes Day and Night?

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this day and night worksheet, students will that day and night are caused by the Earth's rotation on its axis and that the sun shines on different parts of the Earth. This worksheet has 4 fill in the blank statements.
Worksheet
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Moon Shadows

For Students 3rd
In this moon shadows worksheet, 3rd graders follow the directions to set up a demonstration about the sun, the earth and the moon.
Lesson Plan
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Day and Night

For Teachers 1st
First graders study that day and night result from shadows produced by Earth's rotation. Students work to show how shadows are produced, look for and identify shadows and observe shadows produced from different sources.
Interactive
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Student Exploration: Phases of the Moon

For Students 4th - 6th
In this moon phase learning exercise, students complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use the "Phase of the Moon Gizmo" to complete several activities, answering short answer questions when finished.
Lesson Plan
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Individual Sundial (Cloud/Rain Activity)

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students make a simple sundial to examine the changes in shadows over time. In this sundial and shadow instructional activity, students make a simple sundial out of a manila folder and pencil. They observe how shadows change over time,...
Lesson Plan
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As the World Turns: The Coriolis Effect: Global Wind Patterns, Earth's Rotation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use pencil and paper to explore the Coriolis effect and how the Earth's rotation causes global wind patterns.
Lesson Plan
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Earth's Revolution and Rotation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the regular motions of the sun, Earth and the moon and explain how these are related to days, years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles. They participate in an exercise where they explore the...
Lesson Plan
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Not Only a Drought

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the events that occurred during the Dust Bowl and differentiate between the good and bad agricultural practices.  In this Dust Bowl lesson plan students participate in activities that shows them how to be good...
Lesson Plan
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The Moon

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the relationship between the earth, sun, and moon in our solar system. They create a moonrise/moonset chart, perform a dance that models the moon phases, and create a Styrofoam model of the moon's surface.
Lesson Plan
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Twisting the Air Away - The Coriolis Effect

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Coriolis Effect and its effects on the different hemispheres.  In this Earth science lesson students divide into groups to  they make predictions. Students then complete an activity to explore movement as...
Lesson Plan
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Planetary Mobile

For Teachers K - 4th
Students receive pre-cut templates of cardboard with appropriate diameters of each planet and the sun. They use multi-colored construction paper, scissors, yarn, and other art supplies to create their own models of planets. When students...
Worksheet
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Astronomy Test

For Students 6th - 8th
In this astronomy test, students answer 50 true/false and multiple choice questions about the relationships of the earth, moon, and sun. The test also includes questions about the solar system, galaxies, and the universe. An answer key...
Lesson Plan
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Why Do We Have Day And Night?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders demonstrate knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components, software programs, and their connections. After a lecture/demo, student groups utilize raisins and apples to demonstrate day and night. They put togethre a...
Worksheet
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Amazing Planet DVD-Video Assignment

For Students 6th - 12th
In this geography skills activity, students watch the National Geographic video "Amazing Planet." Students then respond to 13 short answer questions about the content of the video.
Lesson Plan
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Astronomy

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore space science by utilizing education software. In this moon cycles instructional activity, students discuss the importance of the moon and the different phases we observe from earth. Students demonstrate the earth's...
Lesson Plan
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Moon Phases, Day/Night

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe a demonstration that shows how the alignment of the sun, moon, earth relate to the phases of the moon that occur each month. They describe the moon's phases after experimenting in a small group setting and recording...
Worksheet
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Earth's Moon

For Students 9th - 12th
In this moon worksheet, students review the different phases of the moon and differences between a lunar and solar eclipse. This worksheet has 13 fill in the blank and 5 true or false questions.
Lesson Plan
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Interstellar Real Estate - Defining The Habitable Zone

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the orbital characteristics a planetary home needs to support Earth-like life forms. They develop an understanding of critical planetary mass to determine which newly discovered planets might be capable of supporting life.
Lesson Plan
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The Environments of Big Sur -- Which Do We Protect?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the geological, climatic, and biological features of Big Sur. They watch a video, conduct Internet research, and create a script and images in the form of an outline in a simulation of an environmental group.
Lesson Plan
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Wonders of Weather

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students understand the destructive force of a tornado. They learn the role of a thunderstorm in the creation of a tornado.
Lesson Plan
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Our Sun and the Four Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners discover the relationship between the sun and Earth.  In this weather lesson, students examine the effect of the sun on the Earth's seasons.  Learners complete a weather activity using props to simulate the sun and...
Lesson Plan
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An Introduction to the Night Sky and Movement Astronomy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Basically, this is an interactive exploration of educational astronomy software and an app. Young astronomers discover how the apparent motion of the sky relates to Earth's movements and the position of the observer. It is out of this...