Curated OER
Sampling Rocks
Students investigate rocks. In this earth science lesson, students collect rocks from the schoolyard and describe each of the rocks. Students measure and weigh each rock and record the results. Students create a rock guide for the...
Curated OER
Our Sun and the Four Seasons
Students discover the relationship between the sun and Earth. In this weather lesson plan, students examine the effect of the sun on the Earth's seasons. Students complete a weather activity using props to simulate the sun and Earth's...
Curated OER
Lunar Cycle
Students recognize that the eight phases of the moon repeat. In this lunar cycle instructional activity, students experiment to understand the phases of the moon. Students make observations and complete a "the Moon I See" worksheet. ...
Curated OER
Moon Shadows
Students study the moon and its shadows. In this moon lesson students complete a lab activity that shows the different shadows and answer questions.
Curated OER
Earth and Seasons
Sixth graders comprehend that the path Earth takes as it revolves around the sun is called its orbit. They also comprehend that the axis is an imaginary line that passes through Earth's center and its North and South Poles. Students...
Curated OER
Modeling Celestial Motion
In this modeling celestial motion instructional activity, students fill in the blank about the motion of celestial bodies: planets and stars. Students complete the blanks with information about the scientists and philosophers responsible...
Curated OER
How Big Are Earth, Sun, and Moon?
Third graders draw what they believe is in space on a dry erase board. In groups, they are given a beaker half filled with water and they add a teaspoon of oil, observing the different layers that form. To end the lesson, they identify...
Curated OER
Our Solar System
In this solar system worksheet, students read about the planets, asteroids, meteoroids, comets, and the moon. Then students complete 25 multiple choice, 4 true or false, and 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Moon Journal
Fourth graders observe Moon and its features, and record results both in written form and in a drawing on the given template.
Curated OER
Globe Lesson 16 - Daylight Hours
In this geography skills activity, students read an instructional passage regarding daylight hours and then respond to 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Ancient Sun Models of the World
Students explain that many different cultures across the world developed their own reasoning for the weather around them. They explore the different cultural beliefs of the sun's cycle and to create their own story of the sun's movement.
Curated OER
The Four Seasons - Earth's Axis
Young scholars discover that it is the tilt of the earth's axis that results in the seasons. They clarify common misconceptions about the earth's orbit around the sun.
Curated OER
Lunar Cycle
Learners become familiar with repeating patterns in nature, namely the phases of the moon.
ESL Flow
Cool Jobs ‐ A Brainstorming & Debate Role Play Lesson Plan
Students list the pros of various jobs and then debate which job would be the best one have.
Curated OER
Learning About Maps
Students investigate the many uses and features of maps and globes and locate where they live on both. In this map lesson, student play a travel game and create their own maps to explore states, continents, countries, and islands.
Curated OER
Water and Ice: Part 1
Students observe the state changes in water. In this matter lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. Students explore how water can change from a solid to a liquid then back again. They journal their...
Curated OER
Satellites
Eighth graders explore the history of space travel and satellites. Through a teacher demonstration, 8th graders observe how a satellite revolves another object. They identify natural and artificial satellites, explore how satellites...
Curated OER
Scavenger Hunt
Young scholars study a research telescope to obtain quantitative information about these objects. They use the SkyServer Navigation Tool to identify objects and record celestial coordinates. In addition, they associate star brightness...
Curated OER
Properties of Earth: Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students search for words related to the Earth, the sun and it's movements. Terms include seasons, features, and movements.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Rotation: Why Is There Day and Night?
For this rotation activity, young scholars investigate what causes day and night by participating in a classroom activity. Students will observe, question, and investigate how the relationship between the earth and sun causes day and night.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Science: Atlantic Ocean: Day and Night
This module explores day and night. Learn about what we see during the day and night and why we see what we see.
Other
Center for Science Education: Eye on the Sky: What Makes Day and Night?
This activity will allow you to model day and night cycles. A rotating student holding a map (provided) models the earth. A lamp is used to model the sun. Numerous worksheets (pdf) and additional website resources are also provided.
Ohio State University
Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: Common Misconceptions About Day and Night
Misconceptions about the causes of seasons and day and night are common through all ages. Use the information on this site to help your students understand these concepts. Included are links to many resources and lesson plans for...
Science Struck
Science Struck: A Scientific Explanation to What Causes Day and Night
Explains how the rotation and the axial tilt of the Earth are responsible for the phenomenon of day and night. Provides information about the Sun, the solar system, and the Earth, and how the circumference of the Earth was first measured...