Curated OER
Weathering Landforms
Fifth graders brainstorm a list of ways the Earth's surface can change. As a class, they are introduced to the concepts of erosion and weathering and discover how wind and water cause changes to the surface of the Earth. To end the...
Curated OER
Population and Population Density
Students read and interpret graphs. In this population activity, students explore population and population density as they read several data graphs and respond to questions.
Curated OER
Be the Kiwi
Students explore aspects of New Zealand's environment. In this environmental geography lesson, students research the geography, resources and climate of New Zealand. This lesson includes a game, rubric, and extension.
Curated OER
What's Holding Up the Water?
Students read about the history and locate dams in Arizona. In this Arizona dams lesson plan, students write a summary about what they read focusing on word choice, ideas, conventions, and geography content.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Exploring Japan
Fourth graders examine the culture and environment of Japan, beginning with a KWL chart. They use clay and cups of water to construct representations of the Japanese Islands. After designing flags representing farming and food, 4th...
Curated OER
Geography and Architecture
Students discuss how terrain and climate affect the design of houses and commercial structures and thus influence the way architects design buildings in this elementary lesson plan.
Curated OER
Effects Of Natural Disasters On Environment
Students investigate the concept of how natural disasters effect the environment. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They are given a scenario that needs a defensive speech. Students take a position and defend it by...
Curated OER
Research Report on Earth Science Topics
Sixth graders are given a variety of Earth Science topics which be covered during the year. They select one of their choices to research and work in class and at home to meet the guidelines for their report.
Curated OER
Glaciers and Ice Wedging
Fourth graders observe buckling sidewalks and potholes before attempting to determine how these things are caused. They freeze water filled plastic cups that have been covered. As the water freezes, the students observe what happens to...
Curated OER
It Looks Like Champagne
Students determine some practical implications of the discovery of liquid carbon dioxide in deep-ocean ecosystems. They interpret phase diagrams and explain the meaning of "critical point" and "triple point."
NC State University
The Engineering Place: Earthquakes and Volcanoes
In this lesson, young scholars simulate volcanic explosions using liquids of varying viscosity, and learn about volcano and earthquake zones around the world.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Global Gis Lesson: Exploring North American Earthquakes
In this series of lessons, young scholars use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) together with the tools and data from the North America Global GIS CD to investigate earthquakes, volcanoes, and population from a local to global scale....
PBS
Pbs: Earth Science Exploration
An earth science collection where students can explore earthquakes, volcanoes, and more natural phenomena. The collection uses videos and interactive activities to investigate our dynamic planet and earth systems.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Musical Plates: A Study of Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
Four part lab activity involves students using real-time data to solve a problem, study the correlation between earthquakes and tectonic plates, and determine whether or not there is a relationship between volcanoes and plate boundaries.
Other
Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Mountain Building
A suite of lessons focusing on all aspects of how mountains are formed. Inquiry-based exploration of mountain building includes the rock cycle, mountain formation, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, rocks, minerals, and...
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Volcano Monitoring: Volcanic Earthquakes
Find the connection between earthquakes and volcanoes. This clip will illustrate volcanic earthquakes. [1:44]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Sand Boil Forms: Example From 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake
A very short video clip featuring a sand volcano. [0:4]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Seismic Eruption: Worldwide Earthquakes & Volcanoes 1960 2007
Utilize this video to visualize seismicity and volcanic activity in space and time. [1:06]
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Nagt: Discovering Plate Boundaries
Students work collaboratively using data maps to discover plate tectonic boundary processes. Data sets used are earthquakes, volcanoes, seafloor age, and topography.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Interpreting Live Data
Students will be using live data about volcanoes and earthquakes to look for patterns and understand why natural disasters may or may not be able to be predicted. Resources include helpful websites, a video of the lesson in action,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Science Bulletins: Mapping the Heat Beneath
As seismic waves from earthquakes pass through the planet, their patterns can reveal hidden dynamics-hotspots, deep-diving rock, melting mantle-in Earth's interior. An array of seismometers that's being installed across the United States...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A Data Rich Exercise for Discovering Plate Boundary Processes
This article in the Journal of Geoscience Education describes a classroom exercise based on four world maps containing earthquake, volcano, topographical and seafloor age data. Students participate in this exercise by using a "jigsaw"...
Crayola
Crayola: Birth of Islands (Lesson Plan)
This site is a lesson plan that incorporates language arts, social studies, science, and art. After studying islands, and how they're formed, students create their own models using clay. Also provides resources and adaptations. (To...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Impact of Natural Disasters on the Earth
Through demonstrations and other research, students explore the impact of various natural disasters on the earth. The disasters include floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and earthquakes.