Lesson Plan
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Earth System Science: Hydrosphere

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify the major Earth systems, and describe at least ten major uses of water on planet earth. They research major sources of earth's water, and describe general aspects of the hydrosphere.
Lesson Plan
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Sedimentary Rocks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover how sedimentary rocks form. They identify different examples of sedimentary rocks. They also discover what types of rocks are in Illinois soil.
Lesson Plan
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Deserts Around the World

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore the deserts around the world. They use a map and locate America on the map. Students discuss and identify the characteristics of deserts and differentiate the meanings of the word desert and dessert. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Creature Classification

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars develop their own system for classifying a group of objects or organisms using observed similarities and differences. They investigate the process of scientific classification, and explain how marine organisms are...
Lesson Plan
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Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify renewable vs. non-renewable resources and comprehend why conservation of resources is important. They are asked what they think the words natural and resource mean. Pupils then put the words together to define...
Unit Plan
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Travel to Mesoamerica

For Teachers 1st
Students research books, watch movies, and look on the internet to find information on ancient America, Mexico, and Central America. In this Mesoamerica lesson plan, students participate in a social studies unit on North America of the...
Lesson Plan
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The Science Behind Dolphins

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discover facts about marine mammals, specifically dolphins. In this K-2 lesson plan, students identify the different species of Cetaceans, focusing on dolphins. Students answer true/false questions regarding cetaceans and...
Lesson Plan
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TE Activity: Stream Consciousness

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study how environmental engineers monitor water quality. They use environmental indicators to determine the quality of stream water in their area. They count the number of macroinverabrates and use the information they...
Lesson Plan
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Sextant Measurements

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a sextant. Using their sextant, students measure the height of tall objects. Students explore how sailors used sextants to identify their location on the ocean. They research how sextants are created.
Lesson Plan
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Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders, after brainstorming why conservation of resources is important, distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources. They make a list of different types of natural resources on the board and then sort them into two...
Lesson Plan
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The Intertidal Zone

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research the diverse animal and plant life that inhabit the intertidal zones along the Pacific rocky coast. As students progress through this lesson, they begin to recognize distinct behaviors, adaptations, and characteristics...
Lesson Plan
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Science: What Is the Carbon Cycle?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the carbon cycle while identifying its sources, sinks, and release agents. Using magazines and newspapers, groups of students design collages illustrating the carbon cycle. Finally, they write responses to several...
Lesson Plan
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Responsible Stewardship: The Saving of the Great Lakes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students devise a plan to protect the Great Lakes. In this environmental lesson, students conduct research to identify nonprofit groups that help protect the waterways. Students write letters to the Congressman or a nonprofit...
Lesson Plan
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Correlation Chapter 1

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners compare ways in which people form different cultures think about and deal with their physical environment and social conditions. They identify examples of change and recognize examples of cause and effect relationships. Students...
Worksheet
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Salmon Life Cycle Crossword Puzzle

For Students 6th - 8th
In this salmon life cycle ;crossword puzzle activity, students use the 20 clues to identify the correct words that will solve the crossword puzzle.
Lesson Plan
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Climate Systems - Which Location Is Best For Me?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the difference between weather and climate.  In this climate systems instructional activity students search the Internet for the parts of the Earth's system, gather climate data and complete a challenge scenario. 
Worksheet
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World Map Labels

For Students 6th - 11th
In this geography skills worksheet, students identify the countries and bodies of water labelled on the maps of the world, Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, North America, Australia, and South America.
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Oceanography: Ocean Market

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Sstudents identify consumer goods obtained from the oceans. They classify the items and calculate the cost of buying these goods. After taking a simulated sea shopping spree, they tally the cost of the items purchased. They conclude the...
Worksheet
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Who Lives in a Wetland?

For Students 5th - 6th
In this science worksheet, students list the names of 14 animals that live in a wetland. The animals are pictured and numbered. Students identify the animals and color the picture.
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Exploring Landforms

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss the different types of landforms throughout the world. They pick one and research and present it to the class.
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Biomes -- Part 1

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use the internet to locate and gather information on the world's biomes. They compare and contrast biomes to ecosystems and describe the human effects on ecosystems. They answer questions to end the instructional activity.
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The Water Cycle

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discover how water circulates through the earth and its atmosphere while determine how much of the Earth's water is suitable for drinking. They discover the meaning of evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation and...
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Ride the Tide

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine the cause-and-effect relationship between tides and the rocky coast ecosystem. They complete a worksheet that illustrates the intertidal zone.
Lesson Plan
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Dinosaur Time Capsule

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research prehistoric life using educational software. They design a prehistoric life while showing the use of appropriate scale and names for the prehistoric life. They follow an internet link to participate in a virtual...