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Unit Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Introduction to Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed overview of the Earth's climate, with explanations about the difference between weather and climate, dendrochronology, palynology, and how Earth's climate has changed over time. All information is reinforced through pictures,...
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Exploring the Planets: Earth's Lithosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
The plate tectonics and other features of the Earth's lithosphere are explained and illustrated. Has links to definitions of the magnetosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
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Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Nagt: Geology Map Observations

For Teachers 5th - 8th
In jigsaw groups, students construct the Earth's tectonic plates using geologic maps. Skills such as careful observation, presentation, and synthesis are used to create a map that shows the type and location the plates.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Earth System Science

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars learn to identify the parts of the Earth system and the processes that connect them. They look for interconnections among components of the Earth system at the local level, using a study site close to their school.
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Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Mapping Vertical Movements

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using flubber and plastic wrap, young scholars study the Earth's crust and mantle.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Earth's Inner Layers

For Students 6th - 7th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Identifies and describes the two internal layers of Earth.
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Interactive
PurposeGames

Purpose Games: Plate Tectonics

For Students 3rd - 8th
Gamers will test their knowledge of plate tectonics with this interactive. Know your divergent plate boundaries, hot spots, trenches, lithosphere, and other trivial facts of plate tectonics.
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Handout
Geography 4 kids

Geography4 Kids: Biosphere: Soils

For Students 3rd - 5th
Get the full picture of what soil is offered by Geography4Kids.
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Handout
University of Oregon

The Electronic Universe Project: Plate Boundaries/plate Tectonics

For Students 9th - 10th
Visit this site to learn more about the different types of plate boundaries. Includes color pictures and easy-to-understand examples of how and why plates move the way they do.
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Article
Center for Educational Technologies

Classroom of the Future: Earth Spheres

For Students 9th - 10th
Everything in Earth's system can be placed into one of four major subsystems: land, water, living things, or air. These four subsystems are called "spheres." Specifically, they are the "lithosphere" (land), "hydrosphere" (water),...
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Handout
California State University

Csu: The Sourcebook for Teaching Science: Earth Systems Interactions

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what the four spheres of the Earth are and describes how volcanic eruptions affect the different spheres. Also provides a list of events that are examples of interactions.
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Handout
Rice University

Museums Teaching Planet Earth: What Is the Geosphere?

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes Earth's layers, which make up the geosphere.
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eBook
Libre Text

Libre Texts: Geochemistry: The Earth and Its Lithosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
The Earth has been in a state of continual change since its formation. The major part of this change, involving volcanism and tectonics, has been driven by heat produced from the decay of radioactive elements within the Earth. The other...
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Lesson Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: The Water Cycle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This site provides a comprehensive introduction to the water cycle. High schoolers construct a model to simulate parts of the water cycle. Includes background information, links to standards, lesson plans, and assessment ideas.
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Handout
Other

The Geological Society: Plate Tectonics: Mechanical Properties: 'Lithosphere' and 'Asthenosphere'

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource describes how the mechanical properties of the lithosphere and asthenosphere change as the temperature and pressure increase. This can cause rocks to flow and become plastic-like.
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Handout
eSchool Today

E School Today: Earth System

For Students 4th - 8th
Learn about the systems that make up Earth, and find out how they interact.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Lithosphere and Asthenosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The lithosphere is made of the brittle crust and uppermost mantle and lies on the plastic asthenosphere. Read about the properties of the lithosphere and asthenosphere.
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Handout
Center for Educational Technologies

Cotf: Plate Tectonics

For Students 3rd - 8th
Plate Tectonics provides geology with a comprehensive theory that explains how the Earth works.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Learning the Three Layers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This lesson will help students visualize the Earth's crust (lithosphere), mantle, and core. The students will work in groups to research and design a model of the Earth's layers. Some of the types of models include: computer, fruits such...
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Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Earth's Tectonic Plates Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive study guide covers the main terms and concepts needed for an earth science unit on the earth's tectonic plates. Review questions are included at the bottom of the study guide.
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Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Earth's Interior Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive study guide covers the main terms and concepts needed for an earth science unit on the earth's interior. Review questions are included at the bottom of the study guide.
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eBook
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Life Science: 12.15 Biosphere

For Students 5th - 9th
Understand Earth's biosphere which contains the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
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Handout
NASA

Nasa Space Place: What Is an Earthquake?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Discover why earthquakes happen, how we measure them, and why they only happen on Earth.