Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is it Really Winter in Australia? It is June!

For Teachers 8th - 12th
The purpose of this activity is to determine how the location of a place on the Earth (hemisphere) determines what season that place is experiencing relative to the Sun's rays. Day one the students will be introduced to the terms...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structure of the Earth

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders describe and identify the three layers of the Earth. They work together to construct their own earth model. They share their creation with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's History

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the law of superposition by creating models of fossils in layers of rock. They examine how fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock which leads to the study of geologic history in those rocks.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Penguin Palace

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders design a model to scale of the basement in Mr. Popper's Penquins. The model includes 5 modifications made to the basement by Mr. Popper and identifies the area and perimeter of each modification.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shape Matters More!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate shapes as the area changes while the perimeter remains the same. Students demonstrate the shape/perimeter/area relationship using simulations and physical models.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Boxing On

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students participate in five center activities in which they construct three dimensional objects using cubic centimeter manipulatives such as sugar cubes and toothpaste boxes. They determine the volume of the objects. They build a model...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Planets

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students become familiar with the members of the solar system and planetary order. They identify differences and characteristics of individual planets. Finally students visualize the great size of the solar system and make the image more...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sanctuary: Quail Island Banks

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students explore visual arts by examining a diorama in class. In this geography lesson plan, students examine an island off the coast of New Zealand and identify the physical attributes of the land. Students answer study questions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Botttom Profile

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners interpret a graph of ocean depths and topographic features. This task assesses students' abilities to interpret figures, organize and represent data, apply knowledge of scale to a profile, and apply theoretical knowledge.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Historic Earth Science Innovations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the demands or limitations on Earth scientists. In groups, they design and build a model that would be useful to them in the lab or field. They share their model and their ideas behind it to the class and answer any...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toilet Paper Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a model of the distances of the planets in the solar system using sheets of toilet paper and markers. Generally accepted orbital parameters are applied.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Your Design?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Sixth grade students: design a stained glass window, submitting their initial plan detailing the measurements of all lines and angles. Seventh grade students: create a scale drawing of their own geometric family of four members.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cells

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders look up pictures of viruses or pictures of models of viruses. Using pipe cleaners, beads, Styrofoam or other available materials make models of these shapes. They then observe a demonstration to show the effect of Tobacco...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coastal Threat: A Story in Unit Conversions

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students convert measurements from one unit to another. In this math lesson, students study the environmental consequences of oil spills. They replicate an oil spill event by modeling and scaling.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Precision Tools

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss the appropriateness of using a specific tool to measure and define an object. After measuring the area of their classroom and the objects in it with the appropriate tools, they create a floor plan that makes the most...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth

For Teachers 1st
First graders define what a planet is and study the planet earth. They examine the effects of the sun on the earth and make a model.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playground Mapping

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars review their physical models of the objects on their playground at school. Using the model, they convert it into a map with a scale and key. To end the lesson, they use the map to locate different objects and measure the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paper Mache Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students make a model of the solar system. In this solar system lesson, students make paper mache models of the planets to hand in the classroom, measure the distance to each planet scaled with footsteps, and model the moon's movement...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Satellite Tracker

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use satellite tracking software to monitor different satellites. They predict and graph the motion of the space station. They create a 3-D display of its path and share it with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hurricanes-Disasters In the Making

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover the proper methods for plotting hurricanes while developing their understanding of hurricanes by researching and gathering tracking data from technological sources. Students develop a newsletter about hurricanes,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Is Hoku?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are introduced to map making and reading. Using maps, they identify the cardinal directions and discuss the importance of a legend. They analyze the human characteristics of the classroom and create overhead view maps of the...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Ocean Acidification

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Learn the science behind ocean acidification and its effects on ocean wildlife. Young scientists conduct a laboratory investigation that monitors the acidity level of water. While burning a candle, learners capture the carbon dioxide in...
Lesson Plan
Journey Through the Universe

Where to Look For Life?

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Every year we discover new planets including more than 1,000 in 2016 alone. Will we ever find life on another planet? The lesson includes two activities to help scholars understand this concept. First, they analyze the temperature range...