Curated OER
Earth Science Lesson Plans The Proterozoic Era
Middle schoolers explore the Proterozoic Era. For this geologic time periods lesson, students examine the clock of eras charts and listen to a lecture regarding the era.
Curated OER
The Lesson: Bio-fuels
Students explore the pros and cons of bio-fuel use. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students visit selected websites to discover what bio-fuels are and the effect they may have on the environment.
Curated OER
Plate and Planet
Students investigate the health hazards of modern agriculture and how we can choose better food options. In this healthy eating lesson, students identify different indigenous people in photographs and discuss what they might eat....
Curated OER
Homeschooling Lesson: Sea Turtles
Students write down the names of common turtles and observe pictures of various types. In this sea turtles activity, students review names and features of these animals, label and draw a picture. Students research habitat, migration,...
Curated OER
Lesson for the EasyJet Set
Students take a closer look at the environmental costs of flying. In this current events lesson, students research the noted Web sites regarding the Airbus, noise pollution, and oil use associated with airline travel. Students brainstorm...
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"Planet" Vacation
Young scholars research a location of their choice using the internet. They list the characteristics of the location and why they chose it as their ideal vacation spot. Using maps, they pinpoint their destination and trace their route....
Polar Trec
Create a Topographic Profile of Beacon Valley
Landforms in Beacon Valley, Antarctica, where there is no snow, bear a striking resemblance to landforms found on Mars. Scholars identify landforms found in Beacon Valley through analysis of topographic maps in the activity. They then...
Curated OER
The Planets in our Solar System
Young scholars learn the order and key characteristics of each planet in our solar system. In this solar system lesson, students work in groups to characterize each planet on an index card. They use their index cards to put the planets...
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Power Point Slide Show
Students use a website to gather information about a planet and its moons. They work in small groups to plan a slide show presentation on a planet and its moon using a Power Point Template.
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A Tour of Saturn and Uranus
Second graders draw and label each planet, Saturn and Uranus, showing 2 specific individual characteristics of each.
TED-Ed
Tycho Brahe, the Scandalous Astronomer
Who says scientists are boring geeks? Certainly not the narrator of a short video who dishes up the scandals associated with Tycho Brahe, a Danish scientist and alchemist (now that's two labels you don't often see together) who used...
Curated OER
Our Solar System: Its Planets and Their Satellites
Fourth graders create a replica of our solar system. Each group arranges the balls in the proper order for our solar system by gluing them to the construction paper. Under each of the balls, the name of the object should be clearly printed.
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Taking Outer Space to Cyber Space
Use the Internet, write an expository text, and have students share their knowledge of the planets in our solar system. They compose an expository writing piece and publish it to a web page.
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Making Good Decisions
Students consider alternative decisions and consequences. In this decision making lesson plan, students role-play in a social problem. They look for a realistic solution based on advantages and disadvantages.
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Persuade the Aliens!
Why do we do what we do? Imagine that people on a faraway planet came to visit Earth. Could you convince them to adopt a custom or behavior that we participate in here? Learners of all ages write persuasive essays. If you're using this...
Curated OER
Sand Travels
Students examine how sand is formed by erosion and that it can be moved by streams, rivers, and ocean currents in this unit of lessons. They study waves and currents, and structures that change how sand moves by creating story charts,...
Curated OER
“THE LORAX” by Dr. Seuss
Few children's books convey the message of conservation as well as Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. Read the story aloud, emphasizing the interconnectedness of plants and animals in an ecosystem and discussing different ways people can help the...
Curated OER
Recycled Paper
Sixth graders keep track of the amount of paper they consume on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. The goal of the lesson plan is to have them all find ways to reduce the amount they use. Everyone creates recycled paper from old...
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Appearances Are Deceiving
Young scientists study creeks around their area to see how clean the water really is. One way to tell is by the invertebrate populations that are present. This lesson introduces a game which learners simulate a variety of species found...
Curated OER
The History of Life on Earth
Using meters as years, your class works together to map out the geologic time scale on a football field. Plenty of background information is included in this lesson plan as well as several resource links and a student worksheet. Your...
Curated OER
Slip Slidin' Away
Students investigate mechanical weathering as a form of erosion. In this erosion lesson, students, define weathering and erosion before determining how the Earth's surface is in a constant state of change. They watch a video, access...
Polar Trec
Can Carbon Dioxide Act Like a Greenhouse Gas?
Ninety-seven percent of scientists who study climate agree that human activity is warming the planet. Learners explore carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, a gas causing this warming, through a hands-on experiment. Once complete, they...
Population Connection
Meeting Human Needs
How to meet the needs of people around the globe—a question many ask. The fifth in a six-part series about human population and its effects on the globe, the eye-opening lesson includes discussion, a homework activity, and an in-class...
Starry Night Education
The Stars
Three astronomy activities in one resource! Here you will find one hands-on activity, one demonstration, both with discussion questions, and one activity worksheet. During these lessons young scientists discuss how stars are different,...