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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reason for the Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scientists examine why we have seasons on Earth, and how the motion of the Earth around the Sun causes them. Groups of learners are given a variety of balls, a bamboo stick, a marker, and a flashlight, then use the objects to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cooler In The Shadows

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate the concepts of shadows and how they are projected with objects different positions in relation to the sun. They conduct an experiment by observing objects in different positions. Then students record the observations.
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Lesson Plan
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Illustrative Mathematics

Eratosthenes and the Circumference of the Earth

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The class gets to practice being a mathematician in ancient Greece, performing geometric application problems in the way of Eratosthenes. After following the steps of the great mathematicians, they then compare the (surprisingly...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth's Atmosphere and Temperature

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe and compare the layers of the atmosphere. They explain how to measure the temperature of the atmosphere and discover what causes the atmosphere to heat up in some places more than in others.
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Worksheet
Class Antics

Leap Year

For Students 3rd - 6th Standards
What is a Leap Year and why do we have it? Find out with this Leap Day/Leap Year response to reading worksheet in which scholars read a short passage and use their new-found knowledge to answer five questions with short answers. 
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Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Make a Terrarium

For Students 6th - 12th
Scholars read a brief overview of what a terrarium is and how it creates the greenhouse effect, then click on a link to discover the materials and 10 steps they need to build their own.
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

The Engine of Life

For Teachers 5th - 11th Standards
There is a specific zone, or distance from a star, that a planet must be in order to have water in a liquid form. The activity demonstrates how flux density depends on its distance from the source. A photovoltaic cell gets power to drive...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water in Earth's Hydrosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Environmentalists test stream water for temperature, pH, and turbidity. Each group shares their information and then the class makes an overall evaluation of the water quality. A slide show sets the backdrop for the teaching portion and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading and Writing about the Solar System

For Teachers K - 2nd
A superb interdisciplinary approach highlights this lesson which incorporates space science knowledge and narrative skills. After reading The Magic School Bus, two excellent poems, and watching a video, all about our solar system, young...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storm Clouds-- Fly over a Late Winter Storm onboard a NASA Earth Observing Satellite

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars study cloud data and weather maps to explore cloud activity.  In this cloud data lesson plan students locate latitude and longitude coordinates and determine cloud cover percentages. 
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App
Q Continuum

Planets

For Students K - 12th
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what constellation you were seeing or whether that bright object was a star or a planet? Are you searching for the best tilt-to-view constellation and planet app that money can't buy?...
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Performance
Radford University

Trouble in the Orchard

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
It's no fun catching a fungus. Scholars first investigate how the seasons affect the angle of the sun and the lengths of shadows. They then apply right triangle trigonometry to determine the height of trees based on their shadows to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moon Phases, Day/Night

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe a demonstration that shows how the alignment of the sun, moon, earth relate to the phases of the moon that occur each month. They describe the moon's phases after experimenting in a small group setting and recording...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Catching Some Rays

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the tilt of Earth's axis. In this Earth lesson, 6th graders read a Greek mythology story explaining why there are seasons. Students build a sun-ray gathering tool from styrofoam, glue, thermometers, skewers, and...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Moon Shadows

For Students 3rd
In this moon shadows instructional activity, 3rd graders follow the directions to set up a demonstration about the sun, the earth and the moon.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomy Test

For Students 6th - 8th
In this astronomy test, students answer 50 true/false and multiple choice questions about the relationships of the earth, moon, and sun. The test also includes questions about the solar system, galaxies, and the universe. An answer key...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day and Night

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders view a classroom simulation that demonstrates how the Earth's rotation creates day and night.
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Teachers 1st
Students study the Earth and Solar System through a variety of activities. They compile a coloring book show the characteristics of the Sun and nine planets.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tides

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students discover how the position of the Sun, Moon and Earth affect tides. In this science lesson, students view a presentation about the tides. Students discuss the different types of tides.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science Trail

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the solar system by conducting Earth science experiments. In this Sun lesson, students identify the different seasons on Earth and discuss their purpose and cause. Students create a sundial and observe the changes to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Night Sky

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders develop questions they have about the solar system. After being read a book, they view and discuss different constellations in the sky. In groups, they are given a piece of butcher paper and glow in the dark crayons in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tides

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students experience a computer based applet that explains why the Earth experiences tides.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reasons for the Seasons

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders conduct and analyze a survey that explores public perceptions about the reasons for seasonal change. They measure the changing length of days, observe shadows and discuss how the Earth's axis of rotation affects the seasons.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hello, Sunshine!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate how the sun travels across the sky at different latitudes using Solar Motion Demonstrator. In this earth science lesson plan, students explain why seasons change. They study how the tilt of the Earth's axis affects...

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