Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather: It Works, or Not?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discover the techniques meteorologists use to examine the atmosphere. In groups, they build their own weather station and observe the various weather conditions. They identify the types of weather patterns that allow the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day And Night

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine how the earth experiences day and night by using a flashlight and a globe as a model.
Lesson Plan
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Twister: The Tornado Story

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine dangerous weather by researching tornadoes.  In this extreme weather lesson, students identify the states included in Tornado Alley.  Learners create a virtual tornado using 2 plastic bottles.
Lesson Plan
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Do You Have the Key?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students practice using a dichotomous key. In this classification lesson, students read an article about scientific exploration and identification of new species. They use a dichotomous key to identify objects and create their own key.
Lesson Plan
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Communication-Do You Hear What I See?

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students role play as flight controllers and astronauts, and attempt to replicate drawings using a draw/paint software program such as Microsoft Paint. Through this experiment, students study how hard it is to communicate clearly with...
Lesson Plan
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Cyclic Universe: Worlds Without End

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the Big Bang Theory and the Cyclic Universe Model. They explain basic properties of the univers which make life possible. They evaluate ideas about the origin of the universe as to their scientific value.
Lesson Plan
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Structure of the Earth

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explain the difference between igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. They identify the stages in the rock cycle. They discover the origin of rocks as well.
Lesson Plan
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Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Learners become familiar with coal as an energy source and how it is mined.  In this coal lesson, students research the effects of coal mining on the environment. Learners discuss the various problems associated with coal mining....
Lesson Plan
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Sun and Temperatures

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students consider the relationship of temperature to environmental conditions and then apply their knowledge to a practical event. The task assesses students' knowledge and application of that knowledge to an additional situation.
Lesson Plan
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Water Cycle Boogie

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore the water cycle. They learn the "Water Cycle Boogie." Students create hats to represent the different parts of the cycle and learn hand motions to go with the words of the song. Students practice singing the song and the...
Lesson Plan
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The Earth-Sun-Moon System

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders construct a model of the earth-sun-moon system using students as the sun, moon, and earth. They discuss ways that time is related to the movement of the earth and moon.
Lesson Plan
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Structure of the Earth

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders define atmosphere and hydrosphere, explore through experimentation how the atmosphere was formed, and describe the layers of the Earth's atmosphere and their distances.
Lesson Plan
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Types Of Nebulae

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the different types of nebulae that can be found in the solar system. They view a PowerPoint presentation about the material and identify each nebulae as it is presented. Students also discuss the life cycle of a...
Lesson Plan
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How Water Heats Up

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders conduct experiments heating water. In this inquiry-based early chemistry lesson, 4th graders use the materials given to experiment with the process of heating water. Students draw conclusions based upon their findings...
Lesson Plan
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Interdisciplinary Task: Weather

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students design a chart to use to record the weather for five days. They then build an anemometer to record wind speed and discover why they are used for this purpose.
Lesson Plan
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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
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How does it feel? Why is the Civil Rights Movement so Important?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the Civil War. In this US history lesson, 5th graders simulate what life was like during the Civil War by having two groups with one group given more materials than the other group. Students then draw a...
Lesson Plan
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Movement of Air Diorama Activity

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students make a diorama to illustrate the process of mechanical airflow. In this movement of air lesson plan, students discuss ventilation and air movement indoors. Students discuss ventilation systems and study pictures of the systems....
Lesson Plan
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Earth's Revolution and Rotation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the regular motions of the sun, Earth and the moon and explain how these are related to days, years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles. They participate in an exercise where they explore the...
Lesson Plan
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The Ocean Floor

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss the process of sedimentation and the continental drift theory. They locate major structures on the ocean floor and they identify life forms at each level of the ocean.
Lesson Plan
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Magnets

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders participate in a teacher demonstration of the polarity of magnets. They observe how magnets repel and attract items before drawing their observations on worksheets. They manipulate the donut magnets, discuss their action...
Lesson Plan
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Assessing the quality of habitat for Monarch Butterflies

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students use different sampling methods to determine the population size and appropriate space for monarch butterflies. In this averages lesson plan, students complete word problems where they can accurately estimate the size of an...
Lesson Plan
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Four Seasons

For Teachers K
Students investigate the four seasons in a year. In this seasons lesson plan, students explore the weather during each season.  Students illustrate each season with pictures.
Lesson Plan
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How a Seed Grows and Who Grows It

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore biology by viewing PowerPoint presentations in class. In this plant life lesson, 1st graders identify the life cycle of a plant and how to properly plant a seed outside. Students view a movie about plant life and...