Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Erosion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how erosion is affected by the composition of the soil and the slope of the land. They look at plant roots, rocks and land slope as experimental factors. They complete the associated worksheets before discussing their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keeping Soil in Its Place

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate erosion. In this Science lesson, 4th graders explore the role of weathering and plant growth related to erosion. Students define the components of soil. Students explore the history of the Dust Bowl.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock River Watershed

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover what a watershed is and which one they live in. Using the internet, they research why watersheds are important to an ecosystem and how to keep them from getting polluted. They use a map to locate various items within a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dark Days

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the impacts of erosion. For this Science lesson, 4th graders determine connections between plants and soil erosion. Students examine the historical implications of erosion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reflecting on Reflectivity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plan and construct a "mini-lab" to measure the reflectivity of different earth surfaces. They measure reflectivity of materials, including ice, soil, rocks, etc., and then extrapolate from what they have learned to consider the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wonder Underground

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students classify and record objects they find "underground." In this observation instructional activity, students dig into bins filled with soil and encounter various objects such as bark, twigs, etc. Students classify their findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment: Erosion Boxes

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover how the processes of erosion and weathering alter the physical characteristics of the environment. In a student log,they record the various types of erosion and list ways to prevent it. Using clear, plastic...
Lesson Plan
Indian Land Tenure Foundation

More Tribal Homelands

For Teachers K - 2nd
Here is a very fun idea that introduces young learners to how geographical location affects cultural development. They are introduced to four areas where Native Americans have lived in the past by reading stories and examining images....
Lesson Plan
Agriculture in the Classroom

Wad-a-Watershed

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
What kind of impact do humans have on watersheds? Find out in a lesson that defines, explores, and promotes ways to protect our watersheds. The ultimate goal of the lesson is for learners to discover how a watershed is impacted by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sediment Tubes

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students observe how different density soils and rocks behave in wind and in water. They make predictions and careful observations as they explore sediment transport and sediment rates in streams and rivers.
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.
PPT
Curated OER

Happy Lesson: The Earth's Crust

For Teachers 5th - 7th
This PowerPoint provides a multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank format for reviewing vocabulary and related content following an "earth's crust" science unit. The information is concise and age-appropriate and the font and colors are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landforms of Illinois

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Fifth and sixth graders are introduced to the primary landforms of Illinois and discover how they were created. Landform cards are made for each pupil. They use the twenty-questions format until they have identified each one. Then,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cavern Geology: Speleothem Construction

For Teachers K - 12th
Students discover how underground rock formations grow. They perform various activities based on grade level.
PPT
Curated OER

Sunken Millions

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
This PowerPoint provides a game show format with multiple choice questions about fresh and salt water. Topics include sources of water, water geography, uses of water, and the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water: A Necessity for Life

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine types of aquifers and make a model landfill. In this water usage instructional activity, students determine the difference between confined and unconfined aquifers. They build a model landfill, observe it for two weeks,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TORNADOES!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders compare the parts of a real tornado with the parts of a tornado created in a demonstration, label "Tornado Alley" on their maps, and label the locations of famous tornado disasters on their maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanic Activity in the U.S.

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate and map ten volcanoes in United States, create chart comparing volcanoes by last eruption, type of volcano, location, and interesting fact, and create Powerpoint slide show describing basic information about volcanoes and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion: Slip Sliding Away

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the causes of erosion. Through several demonstrations including one using sugar cubes and warm water, they observe the effects of erosion. In groups, 4th graders conduct similar experiments and record their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mysterious Plant Caper

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate the basic parts of plant and that plants are living things which require water, air, light and nutrients for survival. They do this through a series of scientific experiements and multi-curricular hands-on activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Factors That Shaped Indiana

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders construct a model of Indiana which displays the effects of the glacial period on the state's physical structure. Students work in groups to plan and execute their model based on an established rubric.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake!

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students gain an understanding of earthquakes. They examine vocabulary associated with earthquakes, how earthquakes happen, and preventive measures taken to diminish damage or harm in the event that an earthquake should happen.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Water Resources

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students build a model aquifer to study groundwater zones and water table formation. Students use the models to measure the movement of polluted groundwater.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Special Planet Earth

For Teachers K
Students explore what is special about our planet. They explore the various climates that are found on the planet Earth. Students create an advertisement to convince people why their favorite environment would be the best place to visit.