Curated OER
Investigating Erosion in an Outdoor Classroom
First graders observe the effects of erosion. They work in groups to simulate erosion in a streambed, participate in class discussion, read books about fossils and rocks and then go on a fossil hunt.
Curated OER
The Compost Bucket
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.
Curated OER
Go With the Flow
Learners experiment with a simulated river bed and examine how erosion takes place faster with a young, fast-moving river than with a slow, older river.
Curated OER
Investigation 1 - Identify & Compare Fossils
Fourth graders examine different items to see if they can recognize fossils. This be an introduction to the different fossils they be studying later and help them make inferences about past environments of Utah.
Curated OER
How Big is a Crowd?
Sixth graders compare the relative sizes of the five Great Lakes and their human populations. They describe some of the problems that arise when many people depend on a limited resoure. Students discuss how the Great Lakes and the...
Curated OER
Rocks Unit
Students learn about all types of rocks through a unit study consisting of 6 days. They are doing activities such as illustrating rocks, answering questions on a worksheet, reading, and reviewing questions. After the end of each...
K12 Reader
The Rock Cycle
This cross-curricular reading comprehension worksheet asks kids to read a passage of the rock cycle and then to use information in the article to respond to a series of questions.
Curated OER
Water, Water, Everywhere!
Get kids excited about environmental studies with these exciting lesson plans about water!
Teach Engineering
Rocks, Rocks, Rocks: Test, Identify Properties and Classify
Time is growing short. Teams work together to identify physical properties of rocks in order to determine the properties that would best suit their cavern shelter design.
Curated OER
Building A Topographic Model
Students visualize, in three dimensions, features represented by contour lines on a topographic map. They see that the different elevations shown on a two dimensional topographic map can be used to build a 3-D model.
Curated OER
Soil Scrolls
Third graders examine soil samples and explore the what happens in each layer of the subsoil. They work in cooperative groups to create a scroll that shows what takes place in each layer, and discuss why much of the activity is in the...
Curated OER
Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson
Young scholars discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers. In this environmental lesson, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on...
Curated OER
Limited Resources - Understanding Our Cultural Resources
Young scholars examine and compare preserving natural resources and preserving cultural resources. They conduct Internet research on two topics, and write a position paper on whether cultural resources or natural resources are more...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Your Family Does What?
Sixth graders compare and contrast their own personal culture with that of Japan. They fill out questionnaires, compile the results, and match them with Japanese answers to the same forms. Students create a Venn diagram of the...
Curated OER
Suitcase, Parfleche and 'Isaptakay
Third graders explore farfeche and how the Nez Perce people use natural materials to derive colors for their artwork. They explore traditional paints and dyes used by the Nez Perce and create their own parfleche 'isaptakay.
Curated OER
Geological Development of Indiana and the Movement of Peoples Across the State
Fourth graders examine the geological development of the state of Indiana. Using the internet, they interact with the United States Geological Survey. They identify earthquake zones and energy resources in the state. They work...
Curated OER
Creating Journals
Students take a virtual tour of Yosemite and selects photographs to use in their journal.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Minerals Ii: Properties
Instructional module focusing on the physical properties of minerals. Discussion includes the identifying characteristics such as color, hardness, luster, crystal forms, density, and cleavage. Site also includes an interactive practice...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Mineral Formation
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Learn about the process of mineral formation.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Minerals Study Guide
Review the concepts of minerals with this study guide.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Minerals: Formation and Groups Study Guide
Understand the main ideas behind mineral formation with this study guide.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Rocks and Minerals: Defining Minerals
Instructional module focusing on minerals. Discussion includes chemical composition, chemical structure, and the formation process. The site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links relating to the topic.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Minerals Iii: The Silicates
Instructional module focusing on the Silicate minerals. Discussion includes the most common minerals on Earth such as quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science for Middle School
This digital textbook covers core earth science concepts and includes interactive features, real-world examples, videos, and study guides.