Curated OER
Deserts KWL Chart
Students will define what a desert is through the creation of a KWL Chart. This will help students to tap prior knowledge and make new connections with the new curriculum being delivered in the lesson.
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Understanding Lava Layers
Seventh graders trace the lava flow of an erupting volcano. In this earth science lesson, 7th graders experiment using baking soda and vinegar. They record and share their observations.
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Where Does Earth's Heat Come From?
Young scholars try to determine how the Earth is heated by the sun and other sources. In groups, they identify the other sources of energy and discover why different parts of the world are heated differently during the year. They...
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Losing An Island
Students examine carbon dioxide and determine the impact of greenhouse gases on the earths spheres. In this pollution lesson students complete a lab activity to see the impact of gases on the environment,
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Leave What You Find
Young scholars explore environmental awareness by participating in a role play activity. In this cultural analysis lesson, students discuss the importance of symbolism when referring to a tribe and create their own tribe based on a small...
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Plate Tectonics: Recycling the Seafloor
Young scholars classify earth's layers and plates using Ocean Seismicity data. In this plate tectonics lesson, students outline where the plate boundaries are on the world map. They then compare these predicted boundaries with USGS map...
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Evaluating an Illinois Earthquake
Students develop awareness of occurrences of earthquakes in Illinois and their past and potential future damage, and examine distribution of earthquakes in central U.S. regions.
California Academy of Science
Rock Cycle Roundabout
After a basic introduction to the rock cycle and the three main types of rocks, young geologists can deepen their understanding of how rocks change through a fun learning game. Based on the characteristics and events shared by a reader,...
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Sequence of Events: The Watershed
Class members simulate a watershed with a painters drop cloth, placing objects underneath to create landscape variation, making "rain" with a watering can, and using red drink mix powder to track the path of precipitation. They observe...
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Oil: The Problem or Solution to the World's Economic Future
Students map the major oil producing and consuming countries and regions. They identify current and future topographic and political problems that could affect the production and transportation of oil.
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Volumes of Rectangular Prisms
High schoolers determine the volume of a rectangular prism. They then maximize and minimize the volume given variable side lengths. Finally, they factor the volume equation to determine the side lengths.
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Who Wants to Carry a Million?
Students, in groups, determine the volume of a box large enough to hold a million dollars. They calculate the dimensions of a bill and the volume of the money.
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How Mountains Shape Climate
Students use raw data to make a climatograph; they explain the process of orographic precipitation and the concept of a rain shadow.
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Leach Out and Touch Someone
Students discuss how groundwater becomes polluted. In groups, they design and create models of groundwater pollution sources. They demonstrate to the class how the water may become contaminated from local and nonlocal pollution sources.
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The Fabric of Our World
Middle schoolers discuss cultural diversity, and examine how the community reflects the cultural background of the inhabitants. They read the book, People, take a community walk, create a rainbow chart, and research other states for...
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Styrofoam Relief Prints
Using Styrofoam trays, kindergartners carve and create their own prints. They create an image in the Styrofoam, ink it up, and then use it to create prints. It would be great to mention and show how ink blocks or block prints have been...
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Marshland Wonders
Students review the characteristics of wetlands and list their benefits. After viewing short videos, they identify the organims that make their home in wetlands and how they have adapted. They compare and contrast the characteristics...
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Catalog Display for the Novel : The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Carlson
Fourth graders explain the novel through creative descriptions, learn importance of word choice in descriptive writing, and implement technology skills of searching the Internet, typing, cutting and pasting, graphic designs, and...
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Pi Day (March 14)
Fourth graders determine the value of ? by measuring the circumference and diameter of circular objects such as soup cans, Oreo cookies, etc..
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Create Your Save and Rave Box
Second graders use empty pizza boxes and pattern blocks to create a Save and Rave Box, which is a 3-D portfolio.
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3RC (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost)
Learners examine the effects of packaging decisions and the engineering advancements in packaging materials and waste management. They observe biodegradation in a model landfill.
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The Other Water Cycle
Students examine human impacts on the water cycle. They compare/contrast the permeability of various materials for the purpose of engineering landscape drainage systems, and answer discussion questions.
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What's Down the Well?
Students examine how environmental engineers determine possible sites for drinking water wells. They listen to a teacher led-lecture, and create their own groundwater well model using a coffee can and wire screening, observing how...
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Carve That Mountain
Students investigate major landforms (e.g., mountains, rivers, plains, hills, oceans and plateaus). They build a three-dimensional model of a landscape depicting several of these landforms. Once they have built their model, they act as...