Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using a Graphic Organizer to Research a Question

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Is Pluto still a planet? Using this popular question, kids are introduced to graphic organizers as a writing tool. As a class, they watch a demonstration on how to use them and work together with a partner to research whether Pluto is a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Explore the concept of evolution and cell biology; your class can work in groups to use the internet to view websites on evolution, take a quiz, and complete a lab activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pocket Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Motivate your class with this lesson plan. Learners explore the solar system and practice working with fractions using this resource. They construct scale models of our solar system, and use fractions to correctly configure the solar...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Watching

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explain how our knowledge of the sky has been enhanced by telescopes. They make their own night-sky observations, diagram and describe what they see, and examine pictures taken by telescopes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voyage: A Journey Through Our Solar System

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Thoroughly written, this plan walks you through every detail of having your high school astronomers design scale models of the solar system. Complete instructions on building to scale, lesson procedures, and associated worksheets are all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces of Nature: Ring of Fire

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders will research the Ring of Fire and be able to share their findings with their partner. They will also demonstrate volcanic eruptions using a baking soda and vinegar volcano model. Then they will discover how continental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Portland, Oregon Experiencing Global Warming?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students use data to determine if the climate in Portland has changed over the years.  In this weather instructional activity students complete line graphs and study long wave radiation. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Planets

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students become familiar with the members of the solar system and planetary order. They identify differences and characteristics of individual planets. Finally students visualize the great size of the solar system and make the image more...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Significant Science: Statistics for Planet Earth

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders discover how statistics are used to interpret results of scientific experiments. Students write hypotheses and test the hypotheses by collecting data and organizing the data. Students graph their data to produce a visual....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sustainable Marine Fisheries

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Through a fishing simulation, environmentalists discover consequences of over fishing. Afterward, they discuss how the activity relates to the impact of real-life commercial fishing. They also consider sustainability in the fishing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The State of the Planet

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners address four different environmental topics (water issues, the threat of food shortages, human population growth, and global warming) as they watch a film and discuss the future of the earth. In groups, they complete various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amelia the Pigeon: As a Pigeon Flies

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students follow Amelia's adventure on a satellite image. They use measuring and math skills to determine the distance she traveled.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SETI WebQuest and the Drake Equation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students complete a WebQuest where they research the Internet for extraterrestrial intelligence. In this extraterrestrial lesson plan, students also explore how the Drake Equation can predict the occurrence of life elsewhere.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion: Changing the Face of Earth

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore how the landscape of the planet can be changed by different elements of wind, water, ice and chemicals through hands-on activities. They examine pictures of areas around town and discuss anything they think is out...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plate and Planet

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students investigate the health hazards of modern agriculture and how we can choose better food options.  In this healthy eating lesson, students identify different indigenous people in photographs and discuss what they might eat....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Are Not Alone!!!

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the area of astronomy. They explore Earth's neighboring planets. Students research a planet's characteristics. They develop a scale model of the solar system and a narrative about the planets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visual Arts- Planetary Travel Brochure

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research the planets and create a "travel brochure." In this space science lesson plan, students read the book Magic School Bus: Lost in Space and identify various properties of each planet. Students create a brochure for a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mercury

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study the planet Mercury and develop an understanding of the planet's composition, geology, and other important characteristics. They explore a Web resource on the planet Mercury which is the central focus of this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Differentiation

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the solar system.  In this solar system science lesson plan, students choose 3 out of 12 centers to visit, each of which contains an activity related to the planets. The station activities are designed to address...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WebQuest Solar System Colonization Project 2000

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete a WebQuest to study the names and locations of the planets in the solar system. They investigate the causes of the seasons and the distance between the planets using astronomical units. They use technology to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Online Planetary Tour

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students develop an interactive presentation about the planets for their fictional interplanetary travel agency. They demonstrate their knowledge of internet research techniques and the Solar System through their interactive planetary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Are Here

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers determine the relative size and distance of the planets in the solar system. They use ratios in their mathematical calculations to make models of the planets after discussing the relative sizes of the planets. They keep...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of This World

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders animate their own planets.  In this solar system lesson, 5th graders use smartphones and the software, GoKnow Sketchy, to create images for presentations on their created planets that appear to be animated when played...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)

Lost in Space - A Solar System Study

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Fourth graders study the planets of our Solar System collecting data on a worksheet. They use online tools to create a puzzle or other digital product using the information from their research.