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Interactive
PBS

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

For Students 6th - 8th
Earth's surface constantly changes thanks to a variety of geological forces; in fact, Australia currently moves faster than GPS technology. Scholars connect the idea of continental drift to earthquakes and volcanoes with the help of an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey Through Earth

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students study plate tectonics.  In this plate tectonics lesson students build a cutaway scale model of the Earth. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Dynamic Earth

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use the Internet to investigate earthquakes and plate tectonics. In this plate tectonics lesson plan, students complete a web quest with multiple links and activity types relating to earthquakes and volcanoes. They connect the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Science Box: Seafloor Spreading

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the movement of plate tectonics. For this lesson on the spreading of the seafloor, students use maps and models to observe how the sea floor spreads.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Station: Earth's Interior

For Students 7th - 9th
In this earth science worksheet, students cut out each die pattern and the signs for each station. Then they assemble the dice by folding along lines and taping the edges together. Students also follow the written instructions for...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Volcanoes Word Search

For Students 6th - 8th
In this earth science worksheet, students find the words that are associated with the concept of a volcano and the answers are found at the bottom of the page.
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Shaky New Zealand

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore Earth science by building a model in class. In this tectonic plate lesson, students identify the impact tectonic shifts have on humans and animals and where the plates and faults lie under New Zealand. Students examine...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Magma Also Rises

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Convection is thoroughly demonstrated using a model of Earth's mantle. Detailed background information is provided for the teacher, as well as a list of materials. Although a colorful and detailed worksheet is available for the class,...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Shaky New Zealand

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students explore geography by answering study questions in class. In this plate tectonics lesson, students identify the earthquake data concerning the country of New Zealand and answer questions regarding the data. Students identify...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanoes-Viscosity Demonstration

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a lesson which demonstrates that volcanism is the process whereby materials formed inside the Earth come out onto the surface. They participate in a simple, yet effective, activity which demonstrates how volcanoes...
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Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Seismic Activity and California Landforms

For Teachers 6th Standards
By the 19th instructional activity in the 20-part series, scholars realize volcanoes and earthquakes are related to plate boundaries. The instructional activity extends and applies the knowledge by having individuals create a bumper...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under My Feet

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the layers of the Earth, origin of tectonic plates and what happens when plates collide. They watch a video and use clay to demonstrate the different types of plate movement.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Continental Drift Lab-Wegener's Evidence

For Students 7th
For this continental drift worksheet, 7th graders answer 7 questions about Wegener's theory of continental drift. They use a diagram of the Earth's continents that show plate tectonics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students complete a data sheet. In this Earth composition lesson, students learn what happens when the Earth's plates push against each other. They watch a teacher demonstration and complete a data sheet.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Tectonic Processes

For Students 6th - 8th
In this earth science worksheet, students find the words that help define plate tectonics and the answers are found by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the different layers of the Earth. In this earth science lesson plan, students create a model of the crusts and continents. They explain how plates movement cause earthquakes and volcanoes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake Formation

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore earthquakes. In this natural disaster and engineer career education instructional activity, students identify features of the earth's surface that increase the likelihood of an earthquake. Students use visual aids to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ESRI Live Earthquake Site

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine a World map and find earthquakes near plate boundaries. They locate and describe earthquakes in the United States and California.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Did They Come From?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Give science learners nine questions about the biogeography of hydrothermal vents and turn them loose to research this fascinating habitat. Working in cooperative groups, they prepare a report that addresses each of the questions. A...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Volcano Factory

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Collaborative groups work together to report on the volcanic activity leading to island formation and construct models to demonstrate the process. Consider having each group present their project to the rest of the class. There are many...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Basics: Earth Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers define terms and watch a segment from a film.  In this scientific theory lesson students work in small groups and draft a theory that was discussed in the program. 
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

Where There's Smoke, There's ...

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A remotely operated vehicle approaching a volcano was engulfed by molten sulfur where the plumes of fluids contained the highest concentrations of aluminum ever recorded. This isn't science fiction or an April fools joke, though it did...
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Website
American Museum of Natural History

What is Marine Biology?

For Students 6th - 12th
A marine environment covers the majority of the earth but is arguably the least understood. Teach young scientists about the characteristics of oceans and ocean species using an interactive online lesson. The in-person or remote learning...
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Website
American Museum of Natural History

Volcanoes Magma Rising

For Students 6th - 12th
Get ready for an explosive lesson! Learners read and interact with an online lesson describing the characteristics of volcanoes. They study specific historical volcanoes as well as the science of volcanic eruptions using animations and...