Curated OER
Measuring Precipitation
A little engineering design is mixed into this lesson on precipitation measurement. Groups plan and construct a rain gauge, and use it to collect precipitation. As part of the PowerPoint presentation, learners view a satellite map of...
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Trophic Relationships, Cycling of Chemicals, Human Impact on Ecosystems and Conservation
Learners explore how the energy flow through a system is related to trophic levels. They investigate how organisms affect the cycling of elements and water through the biosphere. Students participate in lab activities to observe ways...
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The Nitrogen Cycle
Students study the nitrogen cycle and construct a diagram. In this Earth Science lesson students use role play to see the various paths.
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Plant Cycles
Young scholars identify plants parts and their functions. In this plant cycle lesson, students examine parts of plants and how the parts help them survive in its environment. Young scholars use graphic organizers, the internet, books...
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Water Erosion and the Effects of Earthquakes
Students participate in an activity in which they simulate geological events such as earthquakes and erosion. For a fifteen to twenty minute time period, they shake a jar with 100 grams of marble chips and water. They measure the mass of...
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Spin Cycle
Students explore the concept of "spin" and discuss how politicians use spin to sway public opinion. A leading American politician is selected and talking points that exemplify the main idea of this lesson are shared with the class.
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Transpiration
Learners examine the part that transpiration plays in the hydrologic cycle. They observe how plants play a role in maintaining a stable environment.
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A Content Lesson Througha Communicative Sequence
Students see pictures, and are asked to respond to them. The teacher focuses on pointing out new vocabulary that may be embedded in the picture. They relate another person's journey to themelves.
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Ride the Wild Leaf Cycle
Fourth graders explore plant life by completing an Internet activity. For this botany lesson, 4th graders identify the types of plants that grow locally and the different soils they utilize to survive. Students read assigned text about...
University of Southern California
Mastering Microbes
Small but mighty! Learners explore the role of microbes in a healthy ecosystem. An engaging lesson asks pupils to design an aquaponics system that demonstrates that healthy microbes are necessary to maintain the ecosystem.
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Dissolved Oxygen and Respiration
Students are presented with the question, "Do plants that grow underwater use oxygen?" They create an experiment to test the presence of dissolved oxygen in the water using provided materials. Student experiments include a control jar as...
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Rock Stories
Youngsters pretend they are rocks sitting on a hill. They listen to the provided guided imagery script to conceptualize the process of how rocks change over time. They draw a diagram of what happened to them as rocks during the story. An...
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The Hudson's Ups and Downs
Fifth graders practice interpreting line graphs of the Hudson River water levels to assess the tides and tidal cycles in the estuary. They explore how weather can affect water levels and tides and observe that high tides and low tides...
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The Treatment of Wastewater
Learners, through a series of lessons, study the various processes of treating wastewater. They participate in discussion and complete various worksheets and a hands-on activity, in which they observe the processes of filtration and...
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Wigglers, Tumblers, & Bloodsuckers
Young scholars explore the life stages of a mosquito. In this animal biology instructional activity, students read Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema and complete several activities including an experiment with...
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Life Science- Learning About Tadpoles
Students investigate a frog's life cycle. In this tadpole lesson plan, students observe tadpoles in an aquarium and record results. Students fill in a KWL chart as an assessment.
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Weather, Climate and Atmospheric Process
Students explore Earth science by completing a could identification activity. In this weather lesson, students discuss the different forms of measurement for the weather of Earth. Students discuss global warming and examine a list of...
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Recycled Paper Making
Second graders investigate the life of a recycled newspaper by experimenting in class. In this recycling lesson, 2nd graders create their own recycled paper pulp by mixing an old newspaper into a bucket and adding water. Students...
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The Froggy Page
Students investigate the cycle of life by observing tadpoles. In this biology lesson, students utilize the Internet to read stories, observe pictures, and listen to sounds of frogs. Students create a poster board collage using frog...
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats -- Journey of a Drop of Water Through a Watershed
Students discuss pollution and the steps in the hydrologic cycle. They follow a drop of water through a watershed simulation. They discover the components of a water cleaning system as well.
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Climate Change-Boon or Bust for Northern Waters?
Students explore about and evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on northern hydrological systems. They work in small groups, research the background to climate change in the north with a particular focus on lakes and rivers.
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Up, Up, and Away
Second graders observe the changes that water has when there is a change in a state of matter. In this lesson they observe the results of applying heat to water with the end result of conversion to a gas.
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Solid Waste Recycling
Students seek scientific and technological solutions to envrionmental problems. They record class activities in a journal. They identify relationships among living things and their environments.
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Watershed Lesson Plan
Students are introduced to the concepts of a watershed, stream flow and water quality. This five-day plan is an excellent way to introduce students to the concepts involved. They create their own watershed using a paper bag, water and...