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

Cougar or Human: Which Needs Protection?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research the biology and natural history of the cougar. Students conduct Internet research to determine how cougars have been protected by humans and how it is affected by human decisions. High schoolers write about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy and the Environment

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define terms associated with renewable and nonrenewable resources. They identify materials that are renewable and nonrewable. They categorize a list into the correct type of resource.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BATS: NEED NECTAR, WILL TRAVEL

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students play the role of nectar feeding bats on their annual migration and try to avoid the different hazards that hinder their progress. They describe the annual migration of long-nosed bats including key elements such as: where the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Energy

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate solar energy. They explore ways that energy from the sun can be turned into energy that humans can use in our everyday lives. In various experiments, they explore the effect of clouds and dust on photovoltaic energy...
Handout
Curated OER

Hedgehog

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
In this hedgehog worksheet, students read information paragraphs about the habitat, reproduction, feeding and adaptation of hedgehogs. Students study the photograph of the mammal. There are no questions to answer here.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mummies: Tales from the Egyptian Crypts Part II

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the shifts in perceptions of the sphinx as Greeks, Romans, and finally the French under Napoleon moved through Egypt.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classroom Composting

For Teachers K - 6th
Students discover the benefits of composting. They identify the steps of decomposition as well. They are read a book and discuss what items decompose.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Materials

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are presented with three rocks and a variety of tools and are asked to investigate the properties of the rocks to see which rock is best for building tables and benches for a museum picnic area.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students reinforce their knowledge of plate tectonics from what they have already learned on the subject. In this science lesson, students watch a small clip from the movie "Ice Age" which engages the students to participate throughout...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are Rocks and Minerals? How can they help us?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the difference between rocks and minerals. They name the three kinds of rocks (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic) and know the differences between them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vibrant Volcanoes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars explore volcanoes. In this science lesson, students discuss the characteristics of volcanoes and view a video segment about a volcano. Young scholars examine plate tectonics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Garbage Pizza

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the concept of waste management. In this recycling lesson, 4th graders identify materials that must be landfilled as well as items that may be recycled or reused.
Interactive
Curated OER

Wetland Inventory and Map Project

For Students 6th - 10th
In this wetlands inventory and map project worksheet, students do research on the wetlands and complete a map project about it. Students follow 6 sets of directions with Internet links.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dunk It! Don't Junk It!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the concept of sorting recyclables. In this recycling lesson, 3rd graders determine how to separate recyclables from waste and how to sort recyclables into different categories.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather, Migrations, and Plants

For Teachers K - 5th
Students research the effects of day-to-day weather on animal migrations, plant growth and other seasonal events. They consult maps, observe and record local conditions, keep journals and use their collected data check hypotheses.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution Experiments

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders conduct experiments in simulated water pollution using a box of items to hold "pollutants"and an aquarium, representing a waterway. They observe how "rain" from a watering can poured into the box washes the pollutants into...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Do We Get Clean Water?

For Teachers K - 4th
Students investigate the concept of a filter. They use simple supplies in order to construct one after watching a demonstration performed by the teacher. An important warning that the project water is not clean for drinking is included....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Hydrologic Cycle

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Learners examine the water cycle. In this hydrologic cycle lesson plan, students follow the provided procedures to demonstrate the how water moves around the planet through the dynamics of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alkaline-Earth Metals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the importance of alkaline earth metals.  For this metals lesson students research the minerals that are essential for human health. 
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

Energy in Motion

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore energy transfer. In this thermal energy lesson, 5th graders stretch rubber bands several times and estimate the band's temperature change. Students identify this action as an example of thermal energy. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rice: The Global Crop

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students understand the uniqueness of the rice plant and how it grows. Students compare rice growing in Indonesia and California, observing the steps common to the process everywhere. Students comprehend the concepts labor-intensive and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Owls

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Pupils are introduced to different types of owls and owl pellets. They list several adaptations that benefit the owls. Students identify the various species of owl that live in Wisconsin. Pupils discuss owl pellets and identify the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Now Take a Deep Breath

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research to answer questions related to deep sea diving. In this deep sea diving lesson, students answer questions on a worksheet using the Internet. They discuss pressure, gas laws, and the physiology of diving in the deep sea.