Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea Water Mixing and Sinking

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate the role of temperature and salinity in determining seawater density. They use a Temperature-Salinity Diagram to examine the effects of mixing on density.
Lesson Plan
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Earthquakes

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe the melting of ice. In this phase change lesson, students observe ice as it melts. They discuss the process and create a Venn diagram comparing water and ice.
Lesson Plan
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King of the Mound

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate water as an agent of change. They conduct an experiment involving a mound of soil, observe and record any changes that occur when ice melts on the mound of dirt, and create a drawing of the changes that take place...
Worksheet
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Water - the (Nearly) Universal Solvent

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this solvent worksheet, students explore why water is considered a universal solvent. Students explore what can change dissolving rates. This worksheet has 8 matching, 3 short answer, 11 fill in the blank, and 4 problems to solve.
Lesson Plan
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The Effect of Rain on Morning Temperatures

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the effects of the water cycle. They create a graph of the air temperature versus solar radiation on a rainy and clear 24 hour period using data from a provided link. Afterward, they answer questions to determine the...
Lesson Plan
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A Limnology Study of Drainage Ditches

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students chemically test water, observe microscopic organisms in the classroom, and screen the sample for macroinvertebrates. They design a reporting sheet that list all the items to be tested and a space to record the results.
Lesson Plan
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Season's Greetings

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore Earth's seasons using an interactive website. For this earth science lesson, students watch video segments and explain Earth's seasonal milestones. They discuss the factors that causes seasonal changes.
Lesson Plan
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If I Were A Raindrop!

For Teachers K
Students review the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students review the different stages of the water cycle. Students use the computer program Kid Pix Weather to help demonstrate understanding.
Worksheet
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Mass and Density of an Irregular Solid

For Students 9th - 12th
In this physics worksheet, students determine the density of irregular solids using water displacement method to complete 7 problems and short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
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Greenhouse Effect

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Learners investigate the greenhouse effect. In this environmental lesson, students investigate why the greenhouse effect changes the climate through an experiment. Learners use vinegar to simulate how acid damages the environment.
Lesson Plan
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What are the Challenges?

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Pupils discuss energy. In this energy challenges instructional activity, students read about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Comprehension questions from the reading are provided. 
Lesson Plan
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Lesson Plan: Global Warming

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of global warming. In this climate change lesson plan, students explore the provided links to PBS NOW sources and research the greenhouse effect and the effects of global warming. Students support their...
Lesson Plan
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Junior Engineering Surface Water

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students experience the effects of pollution and erosion on a model of a watershed and explore ways to change the outcome.
PPT
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The Work of Waves and Wind

For Teachers 7th - 12th
This is not revolutionary, but it is informative. Earth science viewers in grades 7-12 get carried away with wave and wind erosion. They view diagrams of how waves impact ocean shorelines. They see examples of the different types of sand...
Lesson Plan
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WATER FROM HERE TO YONDER

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify local watersheds and drainage areas by using maps and other resources. They are given copies of the water cycle. Students discuss the movement of water in the environment. They observe, record and transfer information...
Lesson Plan
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Surface Air Temperature Trends of the Caribbean

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the seasonal changes to sea surface and near-surface air temperatures near the equator. They use actual satellite data to track and graph the differences in air and sea temperatures during different seasons in the...
Lesson Plan
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Temperature Changes: Atmosphere & Ocean

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars observe temperature differences of water and air in sunlight and darkness. They determine that the sun warms the Earth's surface, which controls global currents and climate, keeping the earth habitable. They discover water...
Lesson Plan
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Water, Rivers & Topography

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the topography of Idaho and the importance of surface water and drainage. using digital maps, they inspect the courses of major rivers, Yellowstone Hot Spots, and the natural landscaping of Pocatello. Students explore...
Lesson Plan
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Images of Our Changing Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify and explain that remote sensing can detect changes on the Earth's surface that occur over time, and name at least three: urbanization, deforestation, and succession. They select a global change issue to investigate and...
Lesson Plan
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Change Agents

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders experiment with three erosive change agents. They do an observation log, which they present to the class through a song, poem or skit.
Lesson Plan
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Strength of Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform experiments using flexible bottles of water and eyedroppers partially filled and placed in the bottle. They record what happens when they tighten the bottle lid and squeeze the bottle.
Lesson Plan
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Miniature Water Cycles

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students construct a model of the water cycle in action using two-liter pop bottles to build a terrarium. Locate examples of evaporation and condensation in the water cycle (e.g., water evaporates when heated and clouds or dew forms when...
Lesson Plan
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Water Currents

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils demonstrate how ocean currents are influenced by changes in density. They discover that temperature and salintiy affect density as well. They participate in a short experiment to end the lesson.
Lesson Plan
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Water Table

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students predict from a rock sample whether a water well could be drilled in that type of rock. They predict what conditons would be necessary for the well to produce water.