Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Falling Into Leaves

For Teachers K
Students investigate why leaves change color. For this chlorophyll lesson, students examine how chlorophyll effects the color changes in leaves. Students take pictures of changing leaves, and create a class quilt showing the changes of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow the Sun

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners use a simple model of the Earth and Sun as seen from space to explore the sun's apparent movement across the sky over the course of a day and year. They consider the apparent direction of movement and changes in the sun's angle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Whys

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders experiment with a thermometer and water samples of varying temperatures. They examine the effect different colors and different fabrics have on retaining heat. They examine snow samples for water and dirt content. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Length of the Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate how the Earth's rotation affect the length of day. In this earth science lesson, students construct a sighting apparatus and record their observations over a few days. They analyze data collected and formulate a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Tree Book

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students "adopt" a tree and throughout the year record and examine its characteristics and the changes that it goes through.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Look At Those Leaves!

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars collect, observe, sort, and measure leaves. In this leaf lesson, students take a walk to collect leaves. They bring the leaves back into the classroom to observe, sort, and measure them. They visit a website to learn more...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore why when you examine the moon depends on its location in relationship to the sun and Earth. The moon never goes away or changes shape-we just see a different fraction of sunlight being reflected from the moon to...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Migrate, Adapt, or Hibernate

For Students 4th - 8th
In this migration and hibernation worksheet, students read a 2 page informational excerpt about animals who adapt to changing seasons by migrating or hibernating. They then use the information they learned to answer the 15 questions on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dynamic Wetlands

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct and observe a model of two different types of wetlands. In this wetlands lesson, students create a model of a wetland with constant drainage and a wetland that maintains a well-saturated soil. Students observe and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Can the Wind Blow?

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students observe math and science concepts no matter which way the wind blows. In this early childhood problem solving lesson plan, students will develop science, math, and observation skills as they learn about the wind.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Tree-Ring Dating

For Students 5th - 8th
In this tree-ring dating worksheet, students use activity sheets to determine a tree's age and to observe changes in climate from the tree-rings. Students investigate how archaeologists use tree rings to date evidence and they answer 5...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planting Pumpkins

For Teachers Pre-K - 4th
Students plant pumpkins. In this agriculture lesson, students use pumpkin seeds, mulch, and shovels to plant seeds from a pumpkin. Students observe the changes during each season.
Interactive
Curated OER

Autumn Crossword Puzzle

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this online/interactive crossword worksheet, students read clues and solve the puzzle using words about the autumn season. Students type 21 word answers and check them by observing the color of their answers-yellow indicates a correct...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Here Comes Winter!

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate winter behaviors in animals. They describe winter and write about the characteristics of the season by drawing and labeling a winter picture. Students then conduct research on a chosen animal and create a chart. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seeds, Miraculous Seed

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners investigate relationships between plants and animals and how living things change during their lives. In this life cycle instructional activity, students split different types of seeds apart to see the beginning life stages of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Change- Time and Cycles

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students study trees and their growth.  In this investigative instructional activity students work in groups to reconstruct a 50 year climatic history using a simulated tree ring. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

West Climate Change

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read an internet article about hurricanes. For this hurricane lesson, students explain how they form and the damage they bring. They analyze the article and answer questions about it.
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

Bathtub Model

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Using a colorful infographic handout and a guide sheet, hold a class discussion about how a bathtub can serve as a model for the greenhouse effect created by Earth's atmosphere. Participants will understand that as energy or matter is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Walk in the Tundra

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Discuss the environment of the Arctic tundra using this resource. The focus of this lesson is the story A Walk in the Tundra by Rebecca L. Johnson. The appealing illustrations are bound to captivate your class! After reading the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting Out on the Land

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore seasonal change in the environment around their community. They investigate how changes in climate are affecting hunting, trapping, fishing and berry picking around their community. Students write about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Springtime

For Teachers K
Students examine the use of KidPix software before making a slide show that shows their ideas about spring. They listen to books about seasonal change. Next, they draw a spring picture, write a sentence and their name on their KidPix...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lightning and Thunder

For Teachers 5th
In this lesson, 5th graders begin to describe the atmosphere;describe weather conditions along with seasonal changes. Students further explain safety precautions during severe weather and go onto Describe patterns of changing weather...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Predicting the Greening of Spring With Red Emperor Tulips

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine seasonal changes by watching tulip plant growth across the continent utilizing the Journey North website. They develop hypotheses as to why the plants emerge and grow where they do.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea Surface Temperature Trends of the Gulf Stream

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars use authentic satellite data to produce plots and graphs of sea surface temperature as they explore the seasonal changes of the Gulf Stream.