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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Portland, Oregon Experiencing Global Warming?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars use data to determine if the climate in Portland has changed over the years.  In this weather lesson students complete line graphs and study long wave radiation. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Grandpa Right, Were Winters Colder When He Was a Boy?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars compare current weather data to historic data to see if there is a temperature change.  In this weather instructional activity students complete a lab activity and determine average changes in temperature, precipitation...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differences Between Ground and Air Temperatures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the differences between air temperature and ground temperature.  For this investigative lesson students find NASA data on the Internet and use it to create a graph. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing Tree Rings to Determine Climate Change

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how to locate and access data sets.  In this climate change instructional activity students import data into Excel and graph it.   
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography, Climate, and Community in the Dominican Republic

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Students familiarize themselves with the geography and culture of the Dominican Republic. In this Dominican Republic lesson, students use the given scenarios as starting points to analyze the geography and culture of the Dominican...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Incoming Solar Radiation

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Demonstrate how the spherical shape of the Earth contributes to unequal heating of its surface and results in varying climates at different latitudes. This would be an illuminating addition to your meteorology lessons, especially when...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Change Since 1609

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students recognize how the climate of the Hudson Valley has changed since the last glaciation. They explain these changes using a reconstruction of the land use changes in the Hudson Valley composed of confetti, Ziploc bags and other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Feeling the Heat

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils record temperatures at different locations around campus. They examine the results and draw conclusions about how materials and colors affect the amount of heat produced. They also analyze Los Angeles' temperature records over a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun: Earth's External Heat Engine - Part 1 of the Astronomy Model

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Designed by School Power...NaturallySM, this lesson familiarizes advanced earth science and physics learners about the variables that affect our supply of solar energy. They examine gas spectra and perform calculations. There is an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Biomes Lesson 1: Mapping Biomes

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Environmental science learners examine satellite imagery of temperature, vegetation, precipitation, and productivity. They use these maps to understand how scientists divide the planet into major biomes. As part of a larger unit on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Biomes Lesson 2: Biome Research

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners view a PowerPoint presentation on biomes and their classifications. Divide them into groups and assign them each an individual biome to research. There are pictures of the PowerPoint slides and notes about what to teach for...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Arizona's Biotic Communities Lesson 1: Mapping Biotic Communities

For Teachers 6th - 10th
As part of a unit on Arizona's biotic communities, young ecology learners create a map. They describe how humans and animals adapt in their habitat. They take notes and create graphic organizers from articles they read. Beautiful maps,...
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PPT
Curated OER

Ocean Circulation

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
In this physical oceanography PowerPoint, viewers learn about ocean circulation, sea surface temperatures, and salinity. Relationships among these aspects are explained, as well as their impact on the atmosphere and climate. Each slide...
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PPT
Curated OER

Mountains

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Mountains are described and some of the more famous listed along with their altitudes. Climate, glaciers, and avalanches are also covered. Because there is a copious amount of text on each slide, this would be best used by assigning...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Climate System: Energy, A Balancing Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Earth science explorers design an experiment to demonstrate that the albedo of a surface affects its temperature. They test to find out if moisture on the surface affects temperature. They discover whether or not concrete or asphalt heat...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Comparison Study of Water Vapor Data to Precipitation over North America

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use NASA satellite data to compare water vapor over the United States.  In this data analysis instructional activity students use an Excel spreadsheet to map their data. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Praire Biome Models

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders, in groups, list the physical characteristics of a biome and think of ways in which animals might have to adapt to live there and make a biome mobile ball that show the different types of habitats that shape the praire biome.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Microclimates

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students compare the land cover and temperatures in different microclimates to begin to explain why organisms live where they do. While exploring microclimates, students record temperature readings and detailed observations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Regions of Our World

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Examine how climate and landforms affect plants and animals that live in particular areas. Discover that these same factors affect peoples' homes, jobs, and recreational activities. Pupils research ecosystems and biomes, and then write...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth's Atmosphere and Temperature

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe and compare the layers of the atmosphere. They explain how to measure the temperature of the atmosphere and discover what causes the atmosphere to heat up in some places more than in others.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in the Greenhouse

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students discuss the different types of climate zones found throughout the world. They participate in activities which relate to real events. They make observations and the consequences of their actions on the environment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity Activity

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars are introduced to biodiversiy. They use a simulation of two forests, one planted with only Douglas Fir trees, and one with diverse species of trees. Students also use the simulation of two forests, one a monoculture of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Survival in Antarctica

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore the harsh climate of Antarctica and its wildlife. Participate in experiments to determine how humans survive in the continent's climate, and address the difficulties faced by scientists.
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Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Weather Basics

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Weather — there's more to it than meets the eye of the storm. With this resource young meteorologists learn about the basics of weather, including information about the factors that influence the weather, common weather vocabulary, and...