Lesson Plan
Maine Math & Science Alliance

Earth as a System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Ecosystem, human body system, weather system. We hear the word system a lot, but what does it really mean? In the activity, pairs or groups of learners discuss how a bicycle is a system and then analyze objects in their classroom and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differences Between Ground and Air Temperatures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the differences between air temperature and ground temperature.  In this investigative lesson students find NASA data on the Internet and use it to create a graph. 
Lesson Plan
Rainforest Alliance

Forests of Guatemala

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
With 90 percent of its land area covered in forests, Suriname, a country in South America, contains the largest percentage of forests throughout the world. Here is an activity that brings classmates together to learn about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dimming The Sun

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students review the meanings of global warming and global dimming. While watching a video, they take notes on different aspects of the issue. In groups, they develop a list on what can be done to reduce global dimming. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Really Heating Up in Here!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create and observe a greenhouse effect model and discuss the implications of global warming theory for engineers, themselves and the Earth. They discover that Global warming is becoming an increasing concern as we learn more...
Interactive
Curated OER

Drought in Your State

For Students 6th - 10th
In this drought worksheet, students study the "US Drought Monitor" and complete 8 short answer questions on the causes and effects of drought.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes Close To Home

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students interview the senior citizens in their community. While interviewing them, they identify perceptions they have about the local climate. Using the internet, the compare the results of the interview to those of public thirty...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Supply

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore weather patterns by completing an Internet project. In this water cycle lesson, 4th graders read assigned text including a Magic School Bus book about precipitation and water. Students complete a water science...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structure of the Earth

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the cause of climate change, and how clouds form and affect weather. They define condensation and precipitation, the greenhouse effect and the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Wizards II

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore weather. They follow the weather forecasts in the media and on the web. Students explore various facets of weather and create their own weather forecast. They prepare a multimedia stack.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Climate Influence Civilization

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars demonstrate their knowledge of the Earth's systems.  In this climate lesson students identify the climate of a chosen area and the effects it has on the lifestyles of those living there. 
Lesson Plan
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Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

Greenhouse Gas Game

For Teachers 7th - 12th
You will need to gather a number of tokens, bags, and other various game components in order to incorporate this activity into your curriculum. Different tokens represent carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Printable 8.5"x11"...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Comparison Study of Water Vapor Data to Precipitation over North America

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use NASA satellite data to compare water vapor over the United States.  In this data analysis instructional activity students use an Excel spreadsheet to map their data. 
Lesson Plan
Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA)

Bringing the Biodiversity of Ecuador to Spanish Immersion Classrooms

For Teachers 2nd Standards
Designed for the Spanish Immersion classroom, scholars take a look at biodiversity and Ecuador; all the while, practicing their Spanish with a focus on verbs. In small groups, learners examine photographs of the different climate regions...
Unit Plan
Discovery Education

STEM Camp—Urban Infrastructure

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Build a bridge to learning in a STEM-aligned unit about urban infrastructure. Young engineers explore the many aspects of civil planning and design in a five-day unit. Content includes the challenging aspects of balancing building with...
PPT
Curated OER

Light and Temperature Interaction

For Teachers 9th
The colors most noticed and characteristic of particular weather patterns are listed on each of these slides.   The reasons for each chemical changing the appearance of leaves are given and the effect of particular climate changes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tracking El Nino Conditions

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students identify major changes in ocean temperatures during an El Nino season.  In this climate lesson students complete an Internet assignment using datasets to determine periods of El Nino.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build Your Own Weather Station

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Studens experiment with temperatures. In this science instructional activity, students make their own weather station by heating one bottle and keeping the water in another bottle at room temperature.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners study the difference between chemical and physical weathering. They explore the effects of climate on the weathering process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Defining Drought

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the hydrologic impacts of drought. They look at drought from a variety of prespectives. Students first focus on the scientific definition of drought, including weather patterns, water cycles, water requirements by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surface Air Temperature Trends of the Caribbean

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the seasonal changes to sea surface and near-surface air temperatures near the equator. They use actual satellite data to track and graph the differences in air and sea temperatures during different seasons in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Mountains Shape Climate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use raw data to make a climatograph; they explain the process of orographic precipitation and the concept of a rain shadow.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blowin' in the Wind

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students discover how wind is created on earth: changes in temperatures and air pressure. They list good and bad effects of the wind and make a weather vane and practice using it for 2 weeks.
Interactive
Scholastic

Study Jams! Seasons

For Students 5th - 8th
Use this during the season of teaching about the seasons! As Earth revolves around the sun, its tilt causes the weather to change. The graphics in this presentation show how Earth's position in space has an effect on the angle of...