Native American studies is fun, educational, and highly motivating. Fifth graders will gain a deeper understanding of the six major pre-Columbian culture areas on the North American continent. They will choose one group and conduct...

Students are able to list different ecosystems and describe their environment and organisms. They have an understanding about the function and balance of the ecosystems. Students are able to tell what type of ecosystem the St. Mary's...

By studying the once-assumed extinction, then rediscovery of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, learners look at the physical changes that have occured in habitats throughout Arkansas. This outstanding instructional activity is chock full of...

Where does all the heat go when the sun goes down? An interesting lesson has learners explore this question by monitoring the infrared radiation emitted over time. They learn that hot spots cool more quickly that cooler spots.

Students explore world geography by researching a science book with their classmates. In this desert identification lesson, students utilize a U.S. map to locate the geographical locations of deserts. Students create an oral report based...

Learners examine the differences between an El Nino and La Nina year.  In this investigative lesson students create maps and graphs of the data they obtained. 

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.

Students trap, collect and identify arthropods in a newly created desert tortoise preserve area over a period of one school year. They determine the rate at which various arthropods take up residence in the newly landscaped area. Data is...

Pupils view a video clip of the experiences of Japanese-Americans during World War II. They read parts of a book in which a child tells her story about living in the internment camps. They participate in a simulation activity as well.

Students use a book to discover an interesting fact from the desert using each letter of the alphabet. Using a United States map, they identify the meanings of symbols and locate deserts within the U.S. In groups, they participate in...

Students explain the difference between climate and weather. They gain concepts of currents and discuss how the currents have an affect on climate and weather. Students gain knowledge of the instruments that meteorologists use to predict...

Students examine how the earth is divided into different biomes that are characterized by a distinctive climate.  In this earth's surface lesson plan students identify adaptations of plants in specific biomes. 

Students analyze Earth science by answering environmental study questions. In this Earth Day lesson, students read the book The Lorax and identify the themes within it. Students define several recycling vocabulary terms and create an...

In the second lesson of a five-part series, young climatologists use provided temperature and precipitation data to create climographs of three different cities. They then analyze these climographs to develop a general understanding...

Young scholars take a virtual trip down the Silk Road. Using a map, they trace the location of the trade route and others that were developed later. They use different spices and goods to trace how they came to the Americas. They...

First graders explore wildlife and habitats in the Arizona desert. Throughout a classroom discussion, 1st graders observe pictures of the desert and animals that live there. As they go on a nature walk around the school, students...

Students explore world geography by completing graphic organizers and researching the Internet. In this Kalahari desert instructional activity, students identify the geographic location, weather and creation of the Kalahari desert....

Students research and demonstrate the temperatures of the Namibian Desert. They watch and discuss a video, conduct an experiment to demonstrate the desert temperatures, record their results in the form of a graph, and compare/contrast...

Students examine how various species survive in the Namib Desert. They watch and discuss a PBS video, and in small groups determine which colors are most effective in concealment in rocks, sticks, and sand, and compare the activity with...

Students examine how climate affects lifestyle, clothing choices, food, and water sources. They explore climatic regions such as tropical, desert, coastal, and alpine situations. They look at the longitude and latitude, land features and...

Students examine Death Valley including the amount of precipitation and winds that it gets.  In this climate based lesson students explain the reasons for the amount of precipitation and windward patterns in Death Valley.

High schoolers explore the worlds biomes and see how organisms adapt to these ecological communities.  For this world's biomes lesson students research and write a paper about one of the world's biomes. 

Students use the internet to gather information on the biomes of the world. They identify the climate and unique characteristics of each biome along with any threat to them. They create their own campaign to preserve wildlife.

First graders compare and contrast two different type of animals while also making predictions, observations, and asking provocative questioning. In this compare and contrast lesson, 1st graders acquire knowledge about why some animals...