Curated OER
Introduction to Topographic Maps
Tenth graders create a topographic map and see how it represents different elevations. In this topographic maps activity students read and interpret topographic maps.
Curated OER
The Geographic Question
Students are introduced to the characteristics of a river system. In groups, they discover how rivers are formed and how it flows. They discuss the relationship between the river system and people and develop ways to keep the river...
Curated OER
Take Me Out To the Ball Game
Students use a map to graph and locate major league teams of different sports. In groups, they analyze the population data of the United States and compare it with the amount and location of the major league teams. They share their...
Curated OER
Elders Predict Snow
Students interview Native Indians to learn their ways for predicting and measuring snowfall. In this weather measurement lesson, students invite a Native Elder to their classroom to tell them about how they predicted weather. Students...
Curated OER
Oral History
Students interview a Native Elder to learn about oral history and cold weather. In this weather lesson plan, students ask an Elder about the coldest day they remember in their community and complete two worksheets for the topic.
Curated OER
Traditional Stories about Wind
Young scholars observe and talk about wind using no weather instruments. In this wind lesson plan, students use their senses to observe wind. They also interview an Elder about wind.
Curated OER
The Birth of a Rocky Mountain City and Railroad: Georgetown and the Loop Railroad
Students explore the evolution of a town. In this social studies lesson, students discuss why Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop Railroad were developed and discuss life as a prospector. Students write a letter explaining what life is...
Curated OER
Ancient Cultures
Students develop archeological skills in order to explain how scientists determine what ancient cultures were like. They develop an appreciation of the work that is involved in finding out about our past.
Curated OER
Filigree Jewelry
Students describe physical and human characteristics of North Africa and the Middle East, plot on a map areas populated by nomadic people in those areas, explain importance of filigree jewelry in Arab culture, and create their own jewelry.
Curated OER
Egyptian Weather Lesson
Students chart temperatures in Egypt on spreadsheet to determine how weather conditions affect lifestyles.
Curated OER
Wetlands: Pave or Save?
Students discuss the characteristics of wetlands and how to make them more productive. Using a map, they locate the major wetlands in the United States and color them using a key. They read an article and in groups answer discussion...
Curated OER
Grandfather's Journey
Third graders explore world cultures by reading a children's story in class. In this Japanese heritage lesson, 3rd graders read the book Grandfather's Journey and identify the characters, setting and plot that takes place. Students...
Curated OER
Rapping Regions in America
Students determine what designates a place as a region. They apply their criteria for a region to the US map. They work in groups to write a rap about their region that describes its organization, type and structure.
Curated OER
FILLING IN THE GAPS - Acquiring and Analyzing Satellite and Ground-Based Data
Students monitor rainfall, compute daily averages, and compare their methods of computation to those used by actual researchers using satellite observations.
Curated OER
Changes Inside Planets
Students investigate the concept of planetary differentiation. They complete an experiment to simulate it using gelatin and food. The lesson includes vocabulary to increase reading comprehension skills as part of the inquiry. The lesson...
Curated OER
Adapted to Fire
Fourth graders explore forest species' adaptations to fire by participating in a scavenger hunt and mapping a burned forest. Students create maps and explore how indigenous species adapted to living with fire.
Curated OER
The Dirt We Depend On; How Soil Was Formed Reading Comprehension Worksheet
In this soil formation reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 2 page non-fiction article. They answer 19 questions including fill in the blank, multiple choice, and true or false about weathering of the Earth as soil is renewed.
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
Students are introduced to the components and importance of the water cycle. They are shown how groundwater moves using a model. Students list 9 places on earth where water is found. They define the terms cycle and water cycle.
Curated OER
Moon Light Through the Month
Students work in small groups to arrange moon phase cards into the correct sequence. The goal is to circle as many consecutive numbers as possible in two minutes.
Curated OER
Plop! Plop! Fizz! Fizz!
Fourth graders study physical and chemical weathering. They explain how the processes of weathering and erosion change and move materials that become soil. They create a K-W-L chart to show what they know and list what else they would...
Curated OER
Weekly Current Events
Students examine current events every week. Using the internet, they complete searches about specific events. In groups, they gather information to share with the class and discuss any opposing viewpoints.
Curated OER
Model Volcanoes
Students discover what causes earthquakes, volcanoes and floods. Using this information, they discuss how these natural disasters change the surface of the Earth. In groups, they make models, draw pictures and make them erupt.
Curated OER
Fractions, Decimals, and Gravity
Students discuss how weight is directly related to gravitational force on a planet. Students then choose Space Traveler as companion and compute how much their guide weighs on various planets, based on each planet's relative surface...
Curated OER
Recycling Water
In this water activity, students review the steps involved in the water cycle. This activity has 9 fill in the blank and 3 short answer questions.