Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Water: Our Most Important Beverage
Third graders create a KWL chart about water. In this environmental science lesson, 3rd graders demonstrate how much water on Earth is usable. They act out the different stages of the water cycle.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Life In A Nest: Exploring Life Cycles With Bird Cams
Why read about it when you can watch it happen? Bird cams make it possible for learners to experience the life cycle of a bird in real time! An engaging set of lessons provides activities to connect their learning to bird cam...
Curated OER
Weather and Water in Ghana
Students research the rainy and dry season to investigate Africa's weather. For this African weather lesson, students use the given websites to research the rainy and dry seasons of Ghana in Africa. Students then read stories about life...
Curated OER
Illinois Entice Spoken Here
Eighth graders name a prairie animal when their name is called for attendance each day. They read books about Illinois or related topics. At present we have read Illinois, A Rookie Read About Geography Book by Allan Fowler.
Curated OER
Piece Like a River
Students investigate water formations by creating a puzzle. In this water properties lesson, students create a giant river puzzle by drawing on large butcher paper as a class, then dividing the image up into many pieces. Students read...
Curated OER
Earth's Ecosystem: Seven Major Biomes
Students discuss the different types of ecosystems and the composition of biomes. Working in groups, they define various related terms and make posters of them. Then they explain their posters to the class.
Curated OER
Draw, Pardner!
Students explore how to draw in 3-D. In this visual arts instructional activity, students use newsprint and a yard stick to construct three dimensional drawings of objects.
Curated OER
Go Fly a Kite!
Students study kites. In this social studies lesson, students discover the history of kites and what kites are made of. Students create their own kites to fly.
Curated OER
Pick Up a Litter Bit-Earth Day
Students investigate the effects of litter on the environment. In this environmental lesson, students read the statistics on pollution and identify the effects it has on the Earth. Students develop a plan to clean up their local community.
Curated OER
World Climate Growing Zones
Students create a map showing where crops would be grown around the world. In this crops lesson plan, students show how the world climate would produce different parts of the world at different times. Students fill out worksheets.
Curated OER
Second Time Around
Students explore how items can be reused. In this recycling lesson, students present skits about reusing materials and brainstorm products that can be reused at home, school and in the classroom.
Curated OER
There's a Watershed in my Backyard!
Students explain what the term watershed is by creating a model. In this science, geography lesson, students demonstrate how the water moves in a watershed. Additionally, students learn about point source and nonpoint source pollution....
Curated OER
Exploration Watershed
Students discuss what a watershed is, and locate watersheds on a map. In this watershed lesson, students use the information they have been introduced to and create a color coded watershed map of their own.
Curated OER
Recycling: Creative Uses for Items
Third graders list creative uses for old objects. In this recycling lesson, 3rd graders work in groups to brainstorm creative, new uses for old, everyday items. This is the first lesson in a unit on recycling.
Curated OER
Protecting the Guatemalan Rainforest through Certification
Eighth graders examine criteria that may be involved in forest certification. In this rainforest instructional activity students create a brochure to educate people on the benefits of buying certified forest products.
Curated OER
The Trial of the Bloody Sucker
Students study creatures that drink blood. For this blood suckers lessons, students watch videos to learn about creatures that drink blood. Students divide into groups and make posters about the organisms. Students then participate in a...
Curated OER
Energy Efficient Buildings
Seventh graders create plans for an energy efficient addition to the school. They work in small groups with each group having responsibility for examining one aspect of the problem. They create working diagrams and a model of their...
Curated OER
Fishing
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman. In this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their information. ...
Curated OER
Eco-Kids: How Students Can Help Save the World
Fourth graders identify the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In this ecology lesson, 4th graders create models of wind mills and hydropower. They discuss the pros and cons of using alternative forms of energy.
Curated OER
Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink
Students identify the different stages in the water cycle. In this environmental science instructional activity, students research about different water pollutants in watershed. They describe ways to purify water.
Curated OER
A Statistical Study of Three Biomes
Students collect data from one of three selected biomes. Data are then organized and statistically analyzed. This project engages students of different backgrounds grouped cooperatively in a relevant outdoor hands-on learning experience.
Curated OER
Alien Invasions
Students create an educational pamphlet on the origins, spread and impact of invasive plant species in their community.
Curated OER
The Bio-fuel Project: Creating Bio-diesel
Students investigate bio-fuel. In this investigative lesson, students create bio-fuel from vegetable oil waste. Students will analyze, predict, collect and synthesize data from their experiments with bio-fuel.