Curated OER
The Wilderness Concept: Our National Parks, History and Issues
Middle schoolers examine the history of the National parks. In groups, they discuss the concepts of conservation and preservation. They discuss the use of natural resources and how some are renewable and non-renewable. To end the lesson...
Curated OER
From Yosemite to Joshua Tree
Fourth graders discover diversity of plant and animal life in California's parks and compare findings to identify what makes park areas unique. Students then publish their discoveries in picture books of their own design.
Curated OER
Physics Park
Young scholars research and design a playground for a park or school in their community. They explore the physics concepts that are present in the design and, if applicable promote their ideas to city or school officials.
Curated OER
Denali Park Topographic Maps
Middle schoolers construct a topographic map of the Denali National Park. They identify different elevations and record historic landmarks in student science journals.
Curated OER
Ecotourism in National Parks and Wilderness
Young scholars develop a plan for ecotourism after researching a nearby national park or wild area.
Curated OER
Wisconsin Snapshots
Fourth graders study Wisconsin's culture and heritage. They research the state's symbols and identify leaves common to the Wisconsin area. They create a leaf booklet and visit the state park. They visit local farms and create nature maps...
Curated OER
Wolf Lesson Plan
Students research the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. They present their research in a role-playing format.
Curated OER
Tree Identification/Tree Art
Seventh graders identify and examine a deciduous and coniferous tree. Using the descriptions, they discover the types of tress in their local area. As a class, they practice identifying trees on a walk in a park collecting leaves. They...
Seussville
What Can Your Class Do?
Inspire scholars to do their part for planet Earth with a read-aloud of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, and variety of activities designed to boost the environmental activist in us all. Activities include writing poems about the Earth, sorting...
Curated OER
Poetry In the World Around Us
Students engage in a lesson which is designed as a literacy connection to science lessons on the effects of water on plants. This lesson uses an excellent Reading Rainbow episode on the effect of drought, and then rainfall, have on the...
Curated OER
Science: Water States
First graders investigate the various forms of water. They discuss the properties of water. They discover examples of water's various states and locate other solids, liquids, and gases in their homes.
Curated OER
The Distance Between Us and Them: Sea Floor Spreading in the Atlantic Ocean
Learners examine how geologists determine rates of sea floor spreading between two tectonic plates. They apply mathematical concepts such as the calculation and use of velocities and conversion from one set of units to another.
Curated OER
Simple Machines In Action
Learners name and recognize six types of simple machines. They use their research to design an amusement park ride that features different types of simple machines. Students create a brochure about their ride and how it works. Simple...
Curated OER
Whose Water Is It?
Students role-play as San Francisco residents in 1908 who support or oppose the building of a dam in Yosemite National Park. They create posters and write letters to representatives defending their positions.
Curated OER
The Lima Bean
Third graders investigate the life cycle of a seed. The parts of a lima bean are presented as part of a review. They identify the parts of the seed and state different stages as seen in observation. Students also use an illustration to...
Curated OER
Bats -- Pests or Pals?
Fourth graders examine a bat and determine if it is a pest or pal. They identify three types of bats native to the state of Pennsylvania. They also identify the parts of a bat and write a report on the bat of their choice.
Curated OER
Bioweapons - Are You Safe?
Students investigate bioterrorism and bioweapons as ways to transmit contagious diseases. Student examine the way the US is protecting itself from bioterrorism.
Curated OER
Great Decisions
Students identify major contributors to the U.S. energy makeup, recognize trends in energy consumption, express opinions on alternative energy sources, and evaluate positive and negative attributes of the alternative energies in relation...
Curated OER
Out of the City and Into the Soup
Students examine the issue of air pollution. They read and analyze an article, evaluate the responses of state and federal officials to the problem, conduct Internet research, and write a letter to their senator and congressman.
Curated OER
Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest: Science, 4th Grade
Fourth graders investigate weather patterns in their home state of Utah. After creating KWL charts, they research weather and geographical data to locate the state's extremes. As an extension, 4th graders write and illustrate books about...
Curated OER
Geology of Connecticut
Students examine the geology of Connecticut, including plate tectonics, glaciation, and fossil formation.
After reviewing past lessons, they write essays about what life may have been like in the Mesozoic Period. Following a field...
Curated OER
Rollin' on the River: The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System
Middle schoolers take a close look at the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation system. They study how the Army Corps of Engineers built and monitor the system. Learners discover how a lock and a dam work, and study three benefits of...
Curated OER
Our Natural Resources
Your class will learn about natural resources and man-made items and differentiate between them. They chart resources from seven pictures and explain how each natural resource is used.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section Two: Why is Biodiversity Important?
Explore soil, genetic traits, natural resources, and pollution in a series of lessons that focus on biodiversity. Kids complete experiments to learn more about the importance of varied genes and organisms in an ecosystem.