Curated OER
The Changing Earth
Students explore the Earth's crust. In this earth science lesson, students participate in 2 activities that demonstrate physical and chemical weathering. Students also play Jeopardy with topics including volcanoes, earthquakes,...
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Structure of the Earth
Eighth graders describe and identify the three layers of the Earth. They work together to construct their own earth model. They share their creation with the class.
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Pick Up a Litter Bit-Earth Day
Young scholars investigate the effects of litter on the environment. In this environmental lesson, students read the statistics on pollution and identify the effects it has on the Earth. Young scholars develop a plan to clean up their...
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Earth Science: The Sun-Earth Relationship
Students examine the sun's impact on the Earth. They read online articles, explore various websites, and answer questions using information found on the Internet.
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The Earth's Surface
Students identify the characteristics of places. In this communities lesson, students discuss what they observe when they travel and construct a list of places in their neighborhood. Students use a Landscape Picture Map to circle...
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Layers of the Earth (Crust, Mantle, Inner and Outer Cores)
Learners study the layers of the Earth. In this Earth's crust lesson students complete an activity, divide into groups and diagram and define given terms.
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What Part of the Earth's Surface is Covered by Oceans?
Third graders investigate oceans. For this Earth science lesson, 3rd graders predict how much of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans. Students determine if their predictions are accurate by throwing a globe to each other and then...
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"Mother Earth" -- Past
Students examine our connection to the Earth. They identify how Native Americans believed in a "Mother Earth". They discover how the earth and life are connected.
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The Earth is Tilted, What Does that Mean?
Students examine the tilt in the Earth's revolution around the sun. Using that information, they draw a picture and label the indirect and direct rays of the sun. In groups, they answer discussion questions and complete an assessment...
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Description of Materials for Parts of a Fossil Lesson Plan
Students study fossils. In this fossils lesson, students discuss and study real fossils. Students color in pictures of fossils and their sections. Students then identify fossil picture parts and names. Students write definitions for...
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Making the World A More Beautiful Place: Earth Day
Students study ways to take care of the environment as part of an Earth Day activity. In this environment instructional activity, student listen to a read aloud of Barbara Cooney's, Miss Rumphius, before discussing how she works alone...
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Talking Trees: Earth Day
Students complete a tree poster activity to learn about Earth Day, stewardship, and the environment. In this environmental stewardship activity, students read The Story of the Tree and discuss stewardship with trees. Students act out...
Teachers' Curriculum Instituted
The Roman Record
Using Google Earth, Google Docs, and other Google Tools, collaborative groups of seventh graders research and then create and share online newspapers reporting on the early development, geographical features, political issues, and family...
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The Geology of a Snicker’s Bar: Tectonic Plates
Students explore the layers of the Earth using a Snicker's bar. In this science lesson, students identify the parts of the Snicker's bar and identify which layer of the Earth the parts of the candy bar would represent. Students discuss...
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Composting "The Right Mix"
Students investigate the correct mix of material types for compost. In this composting lesson, students explore the correct amounts of different types of materials to create a compost heap. Students then create a compost heap.
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Investigating the Climate System - Clouds
Here is a fabulous lesson on the Earth's radiant energy system. This amazing, 31-page document is chock-full of great activities, worksheets, lab sheets, quizzes, rubrics, and assessments. Learners model and explain cloud formation,...
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Connect the Spheres: Earth Systems Interactions
Is everything really connected? Take your class on a walk outside, where they will make observations and write them down on a worksheet. Once they are back in the classroom, learners will work to determine if and how things like birds,...
Association of American Geographers
Project GeoSTART
Investigate the fascinating, yet terrifying phenomenon of hurricanes from the safety of your classroom using this earth science unit. Focusing on developing young scientists' spacial thinking skills, these lessons engage learners in...
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Erosion in Different Soils
Fourth graders observe and identify the effects of weathering and geological activities. They take part in an excellent hands-on group activity called "Erosion Race," in which each group tries to simulate erosion of soil in the quickest...
PBS
Blow the Roof Off!
Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics from making...
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Erosion
Students design and conduct an open-ended investigation using a variety of earth materials to answer a questions posed by the teacher: How does the erosion of sand compare with the erosion of gravel? After producing evidence that...
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Sun and Earth
Students explore the sun, its structure, how big it is and how far away it is. In this solar system lesson students complete a lab activity on dew point and weather.
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Pollution Solutions: Earth Day
Eighth graders explore water pollution. In this stewardship lesson, 8th graders draw comparisons between potable and impaired waters. Students use the Learning Link website to examine ways people are fighting pollution and then design an...
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Earth's Interior Minerals
Learners identify the layers of the Earth. They discover the properties and minerals in each layer. They answer questions about the minerals found to end the lesson.