Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun Does What?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine why the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. In this sun lesson, students explore the sunset and shadows. Students prove that the sun's position changes during the day. Students investigate what causes a shadow....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks on Parade!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders describe and classify rock samples. For this rock lesson, 3rd graders make inferences about rock samples by observing and measuring them. This lesson contains 5 different stations for the students to go to. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Star Wheel Worksheet

For Students 8th - 10th
In this star worksheet, students use a star wheel to observe the location of constellations and the North Star. They answer questions about the changes in the location of the stars and observe their rotation in comparison to earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Day The Earth Shook

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore structural engineering through three design challenges. They examine information about some architectural features that work and those that don't during an earthquake. Students build and test their structure and record...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Path of the Sun: The Ecliptic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the celestial sphere and the paths it takes in the solar system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students identify and define the vocabulary words: summer, spring, fall, and rotation. They describe how the earth's rotation affects the seasons. Students match appropriate clothing with each season. They discuss why a particular...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Seasons

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners explore the four seasons through literature, art activities and technology and explore how the earth's rotation around the sun results in the occurrence of the four seasons.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Globe Lesson 3 - Cardinal Directions - Grade 6+

For Students 6th - 8th
In this cardinal directions worksheet, middle schoolers read a 2-page review of cardinal directions and use a globe to respond to 5 questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Latitude on World Maps - World Map Activity 2

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the concept of latitude. In this geography lesson, students discover the global grid system and complete a map activity which require them to record the latitude of various cities in the world.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charting Seasonal Changes

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students research the Earth's patterns of rotation and revolution, create a chart and graph of these patterns and use them to explain the causes of night and day and summer and winter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Slide Show

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils work in small groups to research a planet in our Solar System in order to compare it to Earth. They examine the planet's size, atmosphere, rotation and revolution periods, temperature, and other attributes. They collect...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Just a Phase

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders are introduced to the correct terminology for the phases of the moon and arrange picture cards in the correct order. They use flashlights and Styrofoam balls to illustrate the phases of the moon. They write science journal...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomical Data

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this astronomy worksheet, learners use a chart with planetary data comparing the inner planets to each other. Students will use the period of rotation, period of revolution, and distance from the sun for these inner planets to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment: Just Around the Bend

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils decipher landforms on a map and corresponding satellite imagery. They consider the impact of pollution on agriculture and water. They draw diagrams demonstrating how pollution works its way into the food source.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weight No More

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students relate the concept of gravity to math. In this algebra instructional activity, students define scientific terminology relative to gravity, weight and centripetal force. They measure the different dimensions of a cylinder as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Knowing North: Understanding the Relationship Between Time and The Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
Students determine how to find North using a watch and their shadow. In this finding North lesson, students go outside on a sunny day and work with their shadow and a wrist watch to find out which direction that North is. They examine...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science Super Saturday

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students share their science expertise with elementary students in a conference format. Elementary students rotate through sessions of different science disciplines (Biology, Earth Science, Physics, Chemistry, Computers).
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eclipse: Using a Classroom Model to Explore the Moon's Shadow

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students manipulate and observe a 3-D model which simulates the activity of the Sun, Earth and Moon during a solar eclipse.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Santa Claus use the Coriolis Force to Travel East?

For Teachers K - 9th
Students are given a visual demonstration of the Coriolis Force in the Northern Hemisphere. They are encouraged to find locations around the globe and try to predict what the weather circulation patterns might be like.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Calendar

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners engage in an overview of solar and lunar calendars, their history and lore. Also, of the day and the month, and their relations to the rotation period of the Earth and the orbital period of the Moon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inner Planets

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a booklet about the inner planets after researching the characteristics of each planet. Students research the following items for each planet: moons, size, rotation, orbit, atmosphere, an interesting fact. Their final...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students analyze the theories of the formation of the universe and solar system. Students analyze planetary motion and the physical laws that explain that motion: Rotation, Revolution, Apparent diurnal motions of the stars, sun, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners analyze theories on how the solar system was formed.  For this solar system lesson students explain the rotation and revolution of motion. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Phases

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a study looking for the differences found during the cycle of one lunar month. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Then the information is used to construct a lunar calendar to observe daily changes and...