Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Ways

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine hard boiled eggs as possible models for the earth's layers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spaceship Earth

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students consider the earth and its problems as a system. They examine the fragility of that system when population, pollution, 1st world verse 3rd world, terrorism, etc., are considered as interactive parts of a spaceship earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Planet Earth

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the planet Earth, outer space, and Earth's axis. They demonstrate reading comprehension skills, including literal meaning, inference and critical analysis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Differences Between the Earth and the Moon

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify the physical characteristics of the Earth and compare them to the physical characteristics of the moon. They produce a chart with Microsoft Excel to record the physical characteristics of both the Earth and the moon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Thin Slice of Soil

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students examine the importance of soil in the production of what we eat and wear, and analyze the percentages of the earth used for food production. They create their own Pyramids of Life, and construct Dirt Babies out of hosiery, dirt...
Website
University of Iowa

University of Iowa: Small Comets

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides extensive information on the controversial theory that there are millions of small comets which continually burn up yearly in the earth's atmosphere.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Calculating the Circumference of the Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
In this project, you will estimate the circumference of the earth, using a method developed about 2,200 years ago, by Eratosthenes, a Greek mathematician and the librarian of the great library at Alexandria, in Egypt.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Pop Goes the Geyser!

For Students 6th - 8th
Our home, Earth, is a living planet. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are proof that the geological forces that shaped our planet and created the land masses are ongoing. An amazing example of geologic activity that is less damaging is...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Rotation: Why Is There Day and Night?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this rotation activity, students investigate what causes day and night by participating in a classroom activity. Students will observe, question, and investigate how the relationship between the earth and sun causes day and night.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Tracking the Sun: Observing the Path of the Sun Throughout the Year

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Over the course of the school year, students collect weekly data about the sun's position at a specific time of day, resulting in creating a figure "8" that shows the path of the sun called an analemma.
Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: The Earth's Crust

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, this site examines a variety of topics related to the Earth, and specifically the Earth's crust. Other topics covered include chemistry of the crust, composition of rock, distribution of...
Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, this site examines a variety of topics related to Earth's atmosphere. Topics covered in the overview include structure of the atmosphere, composition of the atmosphere, energy balance of...
Handout
University of Hawai'i

Reply to Ask an Earth Scientist

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains facts about the New Madrid fault and the 1811-12 earthquake in Q & A form.
Activity
Harvard University

Harvard University: The Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
These hands-on activities are a great way for students to gain perspective on the relative sizes and distances of each planet, the relationship between the sun and Earth, and much more.
Handout
Oklahoma Mesonet

Oklahoma Climatological Survey: Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
This two-part resource explores the vertical structure of Earth's atmosphere. Content details the atmospheric layers, and the relationship between pressure and height in the atmosphere.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: One Year in the Life of Earth

For Students 3rd - 5th
Watch the earth from one million miles away! NASA's camera captured these images showing the majority of the earth's surface is water. View a narrated or unnarrated video of these images. Background information, teaching tips, and a...
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Epic Earth

For Students 3rd - 5th
This mesmerizing video shows seven views of the earth taken by NASA's camera. Watch the moon cross over the earth, storms in the ocean, and smoke from a wildfire. Included are teaching tips for teachers and background information.
eBook
Other

University of Wisconsin: The Physical Environment

For Students 9th - 10th
Online textbook used in an introductory-level college geology course, illustrated and embedded with a variety of media. Suitable for advanced placement courses in the earth and environmental sciences.
Handout
Other

University of Windsor: Climates on a Rotating Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers the text of a college lecture on the atmosphere, with information on the effect prevailing westerlies have on North America.
Website
Other

Nasa: Iss Earth Kam

For Students 9th - 10th
Students get a whole new perspective of the world through images obtained from the International Space Station. Students can even request images to be taken through ISS EarthKAM. Activities and educator guides are provided.
Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: The San Andreas Fault

For Students 9th - 10th
A great overall site that tells us about the San Andreas fault, where it is and what kind of movements have occurred. It then goes on to talk about earthquakes in general and their occurrences along fault lines.
Graphic
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Our Solar System Lithograph Set

For Students 6th - 8th
View these amazing high-quality images of our solar system from NASA with this lithograph set. Each lithograph contains images, facts, dates, and general information on a particular subject. Background information and teaching tips are...
Graphic
NASA

Nasa: Great Images in Nasa

For Students 9th - 10th
Fascinating collection of images from NASA, chosen for their historical or aesthetic significance. Images are searchable by subject, by NASA center, and by keyword, and each is available in three sizes. With links to more information...
Website
Burke Museum

Burke Museum: Research and Collections: Geology

For Students 9th - 10th
Under the heading "Research and Collections," this site details the information on Geology provided by the Burke Museum. Four online geology exhibits are listed and can be accessed by link.