Curated OER
Plotting Earthquakes
Young scholars, after plotting earthquake locations on the map, should correctly; identify the pattern of earthquake locations and identify the ring of fire.
Curated OER
Sundials: Observing and Using Shadows
Students build sundials and observe changes in shadows over the course of one or more days. They identify patterns in the shadows and discuss how shadows may be used to tell time.
Curated OER
Watersheds, Watersheds Everywhere
Students identify the watershed in which their school is located. They use maps to locate their homes and school. They define and use the correct vocabulary.
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Weather Predictions
Students record weather data and create a five day forecast. Students investigate the roles of meteorologists and identify symbols used on a weather map. After gathering weather data for a week, students will create a five day forecast...
Curated OER
Oceanography (Rivers and Streams)
Second graders examine the characteristics of streams and rivers. They identify the types of resources lakes, ponds and oceans provide. They ask questions to complete the lesson plan.
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Reindeer Herders
Students examine the life of of nomadic herders in Siberia. They read and discuss an article and maps from National Geographic, identify threats to this way of life, and write a letter to the Russian government identifying ways to...
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Weather and Climate
Students identify the words plain and climate and discuss what would happen if it never rained. Students identify and interpret the weather in Poland and create a web illustrating various weather patterns. Students write a 4-line poem...
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Bhutan, the Last Shangri-La: Sandwich Squash: How the Himalayas Were Formed
Students create and record a model of mountain formation. They identify major mountain building formations. Students understand how the Himalaya Mountains were formed, why they are located near Bhutan, and why they are becoming larger.
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What Do We Know About Africa?
First graders explore Africa, its geography and climate. After completing a KWL chart, 1st graders locate Africa on a globe and discuss how its location on the earth affects its climate. Using the Internet and a given fact sheet,...
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Lahar Travel Time
Ninth graders analyze published geologic hazard maps of California and comprehend how to use the map's information to identify evidence of geologic events of the past and present and predict geologic changes in the future. They select...
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Finding Your Way Using Maps and Globes
Students identify the similarities and differences between different maps and globes. Individually, they create a map of their classroom along with a compass rose. They also practice reading maps as a class and finding specific locations.
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United States Map- Continent, Country, State
Students identify their continent, country, and state on a globe. In this geography lesson, students use a globe to identify the seven continents, the United States, and the state which they live in. Students define key terms.
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Edible Coal Mining
Learners explore the concept of bituminous coal and the role it plays within our world. In this economic and earth science lesson, students discover and model the extraction methods with hands-on activities. Learners also...
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Ocean Life
Students explore the types of plants and animals that can be found in the ocean. They browse books and/or magazines to identify and gain a knowledge base of plant and animal life found in the ocean, then create a collage.
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Meteorology (Condensation)
Second graders define condensation and evaporation. They identify and describe the steps in the water cycle. They ask questions to end the lesson.
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Oceans
First graders examine how the earth is covered with more water than land. They toss an inflatable globe around the classroom, and each time a student catches the ball with two fingers, they tally whether the fingers land on water or...
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Solstice and Equinox
Students identify the dates of the solstices and equinoxes and how they relate to the various seasons on Earth. After discussing how the solstice and equinox affect the seasons, students use their bodies to demonstrate the how each...
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The Planets in Our Solar System
Students gain knowledge about earth and space science by studying the nine planets in the solar system as well as their key characteristics. In this solar system lesson, students identify the nine planets. Students work in groups to...
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People for the Land: Native Americans in Iowa
Young scholars identify Iowa's American Indian cultures and complete a research project for the topic. For this Iowa's American Indian lesson, students research read the background information about tribes in Iowa and complete a research...
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The Big Blow
High schoolers identify and explain factors that contribute to extreme storms in the Great Lakes. In this investigative instructional activity students study the weather systems in the Great Lakes and compare cyclones to tropical...
Orange County Department of Education
Dancing Rainbows: A Pueblo Boy's Story
Third graders identify the main ideas illustrated in the story "Dancing Rainbows." They identify details from the story that show respect toward self and others. Students write a paragraph to illustrate how the Tewa Indians show respect....
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Oil Spill
Fourth graders watch a video about the types of products made from oil or oil used as energy to produce the product. In groups, they identify the positive and negative aspects of oil and participate in various activities. They use the...
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Hazardous Products Substitutes
Students investigate toxic substances. In this health lesson, students identify warning labels on common household cleaners and create a "less toxic" cleaning recipe book. Students recite a pledge to try a less toxic substitute at home.
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Sediment Sleuths
Young scholars classify sediments based on their physical characteristics, such as size, shape and color. They identify and describe rocks and minerals that are common to their region of the state.