Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time Machine: Evolution, Geology

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students are taken on a simulated "voyage" backward in time, to the beginning of our planet. They "witness" that beginning, the origin of life, and a number of key events from then to the present.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scooting Along!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars investigate how Newton's Third Law affects vehicle design. In this Newton's Third Law lesson plan, students use a web site to research Newton, his third law, and how to design a vehicle that uses a balloon for power. They...
Lesson Plan
Agriculture in the Classroom

A Holiday Tradition: Which Christmas Tree Will You Choose?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Different varieties of Christmas trees provide an interesting way to combine social studies, science, math, and technology. Class members not only research the history of the Christmas tree holiday tradition, they compare and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

A Short History of Natural Gas

For Students 3rd
In this energy source learning exercise, 3rd graders read a short passage about the history of natural gas. Students must then answer several multiple choice questions about the passage.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Life Histories Derived From Morphology

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn the mechanisms of natural selection by deducing information from the physical appearance of the animal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Ones, the Study of the Anasazi

For Teachers K - 3rd
Pupils explore relationships between man and nature. They examine the culture of the Anasazi and the importance of the natural resources around them. Students examine reasons for Anasazi people to leave this area.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Identification to Observe Diversity of a Given Nature Area

For Teachers 2nd
In this tree identification lesson, 2nd graders read A Tree is Growing, discuss what makes up a forest, brainstorm characteristics of leaves, gather samples of leaves and examine their samples. Students will sort leaves and compare them...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics 4 Mutations

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students identify and illustrate how changes in DNA cause mutations and evaluate the significance of these changes. They illustrate a chromosomal mutation such as duplication, deletion, inversion, and translocation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The People and Philosophy Behind Our National Parks: A Biographical Curriculum Unit

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners discover the interaction of American Literature, politics and the environmental movement. They explore the changing concept and philosophy of wilderness, and explain the development of The National Park System. They read...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explain what a fossil is, learn six dinosaurs and tell one characteristic about each, then describe verbally what a dinosaur might have looked like.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hudson Valley Rocks

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students identify each of the rocks provided and locate where in the valley they are found. They explain why the rocks came to be as they are in each location. In addition, they relate the exercise to how the Hudson Valley's geologic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glacial Groundwater

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students study glacial deposition and groundwater in Dutchess County, new York. They identify the permeability rates in different glacial deposits and relate this information to ground water capacity of sediments found in Dutchess...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Water is in That River?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students practice measurement using the Hudson River. They calculate the discharge measurement at a location on the Hudson River using ingenuity and a topographic map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Runoff: Intro to Watersheds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are taught that a watershed is, what types of basic land cover are impermeable and permeable to water. They trace the flow of water around their school and around their home. Students determine what watershed their school is a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Commonalities and Differences from Africa to Cleveland as Evidence Through the Gullah Community Connection

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students explore Afro-American history. They identify the commonality between African, Carolinian and Cleveland Black culture. Students explore the water cycle, oceanography, hydrology and bio-geochemical processes. They discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kwanzaa Science

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students study the parts of a plant in order to better understand the muhindi as one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charles Darwin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research Charles Darwin and the process he used to develop his theory of evolution. They keep a journal about the skill of observation and make a newspaper of their learning.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep Sea Drilling

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore ocean vessels that drill the ocean floor. In this ocean drilling instructional activity, students watch videos about drilling the ocean floor and discuss. Students get into groups, go outside and use string to...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Using Greek and Latin Roots to Help Students Learn Vocabulary in Science Classes

For Teachers 4th - 8th
You can help students confidently approach science vocabulary by teaching them about Greek and Latin roots.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do New Species Form?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners read an article by Niles Eldridge about species and the environment and break into small groups to discuss it. They write essays noting strengths and weaknesses of punctuated equilibrium and gradualism, or other topics listed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out and About: Minibeasts

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students get up close and personal with invertebrates. In this mini-beasts lesson, students may visit the Natural History Museum, the Bramley Frith Education Centre, the Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World online or in-person to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate and Cultures of Africa

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students gain an understanding of the relationship between climate and culture in the sub- Saharan Africa. Students will complete short exercises pertaining to the various cultures of Africa and the climate in which they live....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tsunami

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine what causes tsunamis and why they all behave differently.  In this tsunami lesson students complete a group activity after viewing a video. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Inquirer Scientific Process Module

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students investigate the attributes of scientists. In this scientific process lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to describe the jobs of scientists. Students discuss their findings.