Have you ever wanted to be an atom of carbon? The lesson allows each student to be an atom of carbon in the carbon cycle. First, they follow through the cycle as it existed before human interference. Then, they try the same activity, but...

It might look like he's doing nothing, but at the cellular level, he's quite busy. A video provides an overview of the many different biological levels. Using two different graphic organizers and many cartoon drawings to hold the...

From the layers of Earth's spheres to latitude and longitude to looking at topographic maps, learners discover the elements of Earth's systems. 

If the amount of freshwater in an ecosystem changes, in what way is the specific ecosystem affected? This is the focus of a video that discusses the importance of freshwater and how all ecosystems need freshwater to sustain life.

What effect does the hydrosphere have on the biosphere? What's going on below the surface of the ocean? As one goes deeper into the ocean, habitats, temperatures, pressure, and the types of living organisms change. This is the focus of a...

What type of effect can the geosphere have on the biosphere? This is the focus of a video that explains how geologic features and landforms directly affect the types of living things in a habitat, positively, and negatively.

What makes severe weather so severe? Very different from regular weather, severe weather is more dangerous and "puts people at risk." This is the focus of a video that explains how severe weather interacts with the biosphere and geosphere.

Why is water a limited resource? Because water never leaves Earth's system, and new water cannot be introduced. This is the focus of a video that describes how the biosphere (living things) fits into the water cycle.

Earth has four spheres. What are these spheres and what makes them unique? This is the focus of a video that describes what makes up two of the four spheres: the geosphere and biosphere.

What affects might an ecosystem undergo if the climate changes? This is the focus of a video that describes how a tiny change in an ecosystem can "throw everything off."

Environmental explorers examine the campus and take note of living organisms. Introduce them to the biosphere and the questions of the day: How much water can be found in the biosphere? A slide show helps you along, and even contains a...

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,...

Ecology enthusiasts explore ecosystems with this worksheet. They define vocabulary terms and write out answers to questions about distribution and abundance of life. They complete a chart comparing abiotic and biotic factors of Earth's...

After a whole-class discussion of water reservoirs, ten liters of water are given to each lab group to represent Earth's total amount of water. They divide the water into smaller containers, each representing one of those reservoirs. The...

Students study the Earth's climatic system and construct a puzzle that names all of the pieces of the  components involved.  In this Climate lesson, students draw a picture on a puzzle piece depicting a specific component. Students then...

Questions that can be used in a lesson on Earth's radiation balance are suggested in this resource. It is not a lesson plan, per se, but it is a list of questions for stations within a "Gallery Walk" lesson. The link to how Gallery Walks...

For this Earth worksheet, middle schoolers investigate the interactions between the four major parts of the earth-the atmosphere, the geosphere, the biosphere and the hydrosphere. Students discuss their findings as a class.

Students explore changes in the Missouri River. In this Missouri River lesson plan, students discover that changes in the atmosphere cause changes in the river. Students search the Internet for information about the Missouri River and...

Students continue their examination of the existence of life on Earth. In groups, they determine the role of the water cycle and other biogeochemical cycles play in keeping balance on Earth. They participate in experiments to discover...

Students research pertinent solar system formation and Earth development events and work together to determine which events occurred first, second, third, and so on. Students arrange themselves as a human timeline across the room. ...

Students describe the changes that have affected the Missouri River over the past 200 years by identifying transformations in this area's atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. They research online in groups assigned to...

Learners are introduced to Gaia theory of natural homeostasis. They graph Earth's temperatures over time, construct terrariums or monitor the outdoor environment. Related videos titles are suggested, but may be outdated. The objectives...

Students examine the basic biosphere and its components.  In this ecology lesson plan students complete several experiments including designing a system that is balanced to sustain life.

High schoolers perform experiments designed to grow plants and bacteria in a controlled environment.  In this ecosystems instructional activity students investigate varying conditions for growing plants and bacteria.