Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Mill

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils participate in a simulation of wool trading in the 1800's. They pass around a ball of yarn at various stations to simulate the interdependence of each stage of the wool trade, discuss what happens when there is a problem in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

People and the Physical Environment of Illinois

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils read about the settlement of Illinois from statehood to the present. They categorize different areas of need such as survival, economic and social. Students make a list of ways people used the physical environment in Illinois...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surfing to the Planets on the Internet

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the planets using computers and other forms of electronic technology. They research data on two planets and compare the data. Students make conclusions regarding the size of their planets. They calculate how long...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Air Purity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how green plants help improve air quality. They read an article and discuss the importance of air quality and its effects on the human body. They investigate by connecting hose to the top of a Bell jar and to a funnel....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Compost Bucket

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students recognize that plants and soils have a close relationship. They view a photo essay on the common practice and natural process of composting. Afterwards, they observe the process of plant decay over the course of several days.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Air?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students investigate air by participating in a class experiment. For this matter measurement lesson, students identify air as a gas which consists of mass. Students utilize a windsock or balloon to measure oxygen and explore it's true...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Student Tracking

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Here is an interesting instructional activity on satellite tracking. Learners use various tracking techniques to find out where they go on a daily basis, what the environmental conditions are, and what they are doing during their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Instruments

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders practice making predictions about weather from conditions they observe on weather instruments and weather reports. Learners are introduced to the most basic weather reporting instruments: the thermometer, the wind vane, the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 5th
An inventive and interesting lesson on the water cycle (and other cycles associated with it), is here for you. After doing a well-designed hands-on inquiry in class, learners also identify organisms and processes that are involved in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glaciers and Ice Wedging

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe and identify a variety of weathering and geological activities in the area in which they live. This focuses primarily on what happened during the Ice Age, and how, even today, glaciers are shaping and re-shaping...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Earthquake Building/Shaking Contest

For Teachers 6th Standards
Japan is one of only a handful of countries that constructs buildings that are almost earthquake proof. The 13th lesson in the 20-part series challenges scholars to build structures to test against earthquakes. With limited materials and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bouncing Sunlight

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use flashlights and balls to demonstrate how the light bounces off of the sun and reflects onto the moon. They record their observations in a journal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where's the Beach?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils use beach profile data to analyze how erosion and sediment transport changed seashore slopes. In this geology lesson, students plot the data provided and analyze erosion patterns. They also assess coastal erosion management...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dissolved Oxygen and Photosynthesis: 1

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils are taught that plants produce oxygen underwater, and they design an experiment that test this question. They discuss whether plants give off oxygen, and how to measure this. Students measure the increase in dissolved oxygen over...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forms of Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students complete a series of activities related to forms of energy. For this energy lesson, students look at forms of energy in their school, how energy is conserved and used efficiently, how magnets are used to generate electricity,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cat in the Hat is 50!

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Have your class react to a number of statements about The Cat in the Hat, then read a news article about a special event honoring the birthday of the popular book. The teacher introduces an article with a discussion and vocabulary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can Worms See?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss the previously created worm compost and the importance of living creatures to the Environment.  For this worm lesson, 2nd graders observe worms and record their sensitivity to light. Students design a petri...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Word Search

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Here is a word search that has more educational value than most. After finding the 14 words that have to do with natural resources, learners must then use the words in context. They answer 14 questions on the second page of the...
Lesson Plan
Pulitzer Center

Extractive Industries

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is a chance for environmental studies classes to take a critical look at crises occurring around the globe by reading articles and viewing video clips. The human activities under scrutiny are the extraction of oil, logging, and...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Technology: Conveniences and Consequences

For Teachers 8th - 12th
It's a delicate balance—using technology to improve our lives while still protecting the environment, and ourselves, from the hazards of technology use. Class members examine statistics about the increase in media use, complete a survey...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather in Your City

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe weather conditions of a particular city. Multiple intelligences are explored within this lesson. They locate their particular city on a United States map. Each student writes about their discoveries in his/her journal...
Lesson Plan
Earth Day Network

Forms of Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Give me a home where electric buffalo roam and I'll show you an ohm on the range. Introduction your classes to potential and kinetic energy, electricity, and renewable resources with a resource that combines observation, direct...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

States of Water

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students investigate the 3 states of matter. In this physical science "matter" lesson plan, students observe and participate in a number of demonstrations involving melting and freezing water. Students observe the effect heat has on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clowning Around: Drawing

For Teachers K - 1st
Kids create a clown out of shapes. They work to show emotions while practicing their drawing skills. Pupils use circles, triangles, squares, oil pastels, and their imagination to draw, color, and decorate a sad or happy clown. Tip: Have...

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