Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mineralogy, Astronomy, & Ancient Wisdom

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students complete a variety of activities surrounding minerals, crystals, and mineralogy. They locate common minerals on a world map, complete a lab in which they identify the chemical and physical properties of various minerals, etc.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Special Relationship: Connecticut and Its Settlers

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Pupils study both geological and geographical features of Connecticut and the New Haven area. They focus on map works and rock formation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Erosion in an Outdoor Classroom

For Teachers 1st
First graders observe the effects of erosion. They work in groups to simulate erosion in a streambed, participate in class discussion, read books about fossils and rocks and then go on a fossil hunt.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ACTIVITY 6: MAKE A FOSSIL MOLD AND CAST and ACTIVITY 7: HOW BIG WERE PREHISTORIC ANIMALS?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Instructions for two terrific ancient history lessons for your primary paleontologists are provided in this resource. The first involves the creation of fossil cast replicas using plaster of Paris. The directions are detailed, but the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eggs'ceptional Experiments

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students see evidence of chemical reaction and follow the scientific method to hypothesize, observe, and reach conclusions. They conduct a series of egg based experiments such as forming crystals and complete journal activities as a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You are the Archaeologist

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Kids can practice their observation and evidence-based argument skills with a fun and engaging look at artifacts. With a given set of objects, each child will sketch and describe the object, then partners work together to determine...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Stab!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Your geology class practices taking core samples of a potato to examine the stratigraphy. This is a terrific modeling lesson that helps youngsters visualize strata that cannot be seen from the surface of the ground. The directions...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Discovering Rainforest Locations

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
How many rainforests are there, where are they, and do global factors effect their locations? These are great questions that have great answers. Children in grades four through eight use several different maps to determine why...
Lesson Plan
SF Environment

Pre-School Composting and Recycling!

For Teachers Pre-K
You can never be too young to get involved in composting or recycling. Here is a lesson that has been made for the very littlest learners and it's all about the importance of conservation. They'll sort compostable and recyclable objects,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality Comparison of Pulpit Rock Stream and Welton Falls

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders analyze different water samples given to them by their teacher.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Petrology in the Field and Laboratory

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students collect samples in the field, analyze them using various tools and instruments, then present their results and interpretations. They examine igneous and metamorphic rocks in detail and interpret petrologic data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Museum Adventure WebQuest

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discover the background and properties of minerals. They examine fluorite and record data after testing it. They use the internet to help them discover information about minerals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polishing the Petoskey

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students select a stone and polish it. Throughout the process they demonstrate an understanding of rocks and fossil formation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Miners

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students complete various activities related to mining and mining safety. They write an energy sentence, complete a word puzzle, cut and glue safety equipment on a mining character, solve a math code word puzzle, and complete a maze...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Burst of Light

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students discover the many uses of minerals in industry. They use minerals to conduct flame tests and to demostrate color. They practice safety tips in the lab.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Up, Breaking Down

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore their school building and examine the rocks it is made of. They discover how rocks become building materials and participate in a variety of activities surrounding this subject.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology Quiz Worksheet

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this geology quiz worksheet, learners answer 10 fill-in-the-blank questions about geology. They answer questions about types of rocks, hardness, and mineral attributes. They check their work with the answers at the bottom of the page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification

For Teachers K - 12th
Students gather and classify samples of a given item (rocks, fossils, seeds, etc.) They discuss various ways of classifying and that there are many different ways that are acceptable.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Land Use Issues

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners observe and describe the properties of rocks and their significance relationship in the environment. They explain the implications of destroying habitats and the importance of rebuilding them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mohs Hardness Test

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine what the Mohs Hardness Scale is before testing a number of minerals to determine their place on the scale. They test a fingernail, a penny, a knife blade, a metal file, and several unknown minerals and rocks using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mining and Land Reclamation - A Classroom Simulation

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students simulate mining mineral resources using cookies. In this earth science lesson, students analyze the cost and profits in mining. They write a lab report about the activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is Mining

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Student develop a vocabulary of "mining words" and study about exploring and mining for minerals. They break into groups and are assigned an area at the "mine" to do their "exploration" for the valuable "coal". The coal is represented...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extraction (What's in the cereal you eat?)

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students conduct an investigation with cereal that simulates the extraction of minerals from rock. They mix iron fortified cereal until the iron is extracted and shows on a magnetic stick that is painted white.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smoothing Out the Rough Spots

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders experiment to observe the changes created on a surface by mechanical action of water with varying amounts of mineral content and abrasive qualities. They write the predictions of their outcomes and describe all of their...