Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life on Earth and Beyond, Our Search for Answers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students in a special education classroom are introduced to how the universe and solar system was formed. Using the internet, they research the characteristics of Earth that support human life. In groups, they compare and contrast...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Navigation in the Ancient Mediterranean and Beyond

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Ancient texts, like Homer's Odyssey, mentions navigating ships by observing constellations. Pupils learn about the link between history and astronomy as they relate to navigation in the Bronze Age. Scholars complete two hands-on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Explorations: To the End of the Earth and Beyond

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students analyze the factors that affect exploration such as religion, trade, territorial expansion, and science. In this Great Explorations lesson, students determine the names of famous explorers as well as their routes and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biosphere II

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students continue their examination of the existence of life on Earth. In groups, they determine the role of the water cycle and other biogeochemical cycles play in keeping balance on Earth. They participate in experiments to discover...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography: examining the Glacial Features of Cape Cod

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students examine satellite images of the glacial features of Cape Cod. They analyze where human activity is located in terms of those features. Students make models of the features, including kettle holes. They also use contour maps...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing the Satellite and Broadcast Radio Landscapes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research the development of satellite technology over the last 50 years students explain how the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 changed the rules for corporate ownership of multiple media outlets.
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

Human Needs

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate human needs and how they have adapted to different environments. They complete an experiment to discover the effect of stress on muscles. They use the food pyramid to create a plan for healthy eating.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking At Water: a Walking Field Trip

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe the effects of water on the soil and record those effect by drawing sketches of water erosion and conservation practices.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Archeological Finds

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore archeology and it contributions to human history. They write a magazine article describing the discovery of a dig.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment, Technology, and Culture of the Chumash People

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars develop an understanding of the interrelatedness of technology, culture, and environment as illustrated by the Chumash culture. They research the tribe and complete a table for the Chumash people describing their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Those Who Have Come Before Me

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Class members are transformed into explorers as they work in groups to locate hidden items and map their journey along the way. They then leave clues for other groups of students to follow, and ultimately discover how past explorations...
Lesson Plan3:32
Orange County Water Atlas

Location, Location, Location…

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Young geographers discover not only how to read and recognize coordinates on a map, but also gain a deeper understanding of latitude and longitude and how climate changes can vary significantly across latitudes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 4 Activity 1: Mapping the Third Dimension

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars work in pairs to construct a simple stereoscope.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adventures in Exploration

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research major explorers in history using their textbook and then create a timeline using Timeline Software. Students participate in class discussions and write an essay about the explorer they researched.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientific Advances Could Bring Back the Dodo & Mammoth

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students reflect on the possibility of bringing extinct species back to life.  In this ESL lesson, students debate the pros and cons of extinction reversal then complete several activities centered around the topic.