Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Insulation
Youngsters compare the heat-holding abilities of three different cans by insulating two with different materials and measuring the temperature change of hot water over a 20-minute period.
Curated OER
Twig Construction: Recycled Materials
Construction projects of any kind require learners to use spacial reasoning, creative thinking, and critical analysis skills. They design and make a twig/leaf structure out of natural and recycled materials. This project would be great...
Weebly
Ancient China
From China's physical geography and earliest beginnings of civilization to the Qin and Han dynasties, here is a nicely designed worksheet on ancient China, which includes a graphic organizer and timeline to summarize the reading...
Biology Junction
Changes in Ecosystems: Ecological Succession
Can an area with no soil turn into a forest? Scholars learn about the process of ecological succession using an interesting presentation. It covers both primary and secondary succession in the building of new ecosystems.
Curated OER
Defining Drought
Students examine the hydrologic impacts of drought. Humans can change the course of the water cycle, to some extent, to meet their needs, but can they do so without imposing risks on the plants and animals?
Curated OER
Hos Do the Jaguar and Howler Monkeys in Belize Depend on Us?
First graders access the internet and use the sites provided to research Belize, and in particular, the Howler Monkey and Jaguar. Students participate in activities/centers utilizing the information they discovered.
Curated OER
Prairie Plant Investigation
Students carefully observe prairie plants and record their observations in a science journal. They examine the root systems of grasses and flowers and surmise how these plants can grow together on the prairie.
Curated OER
Tree Cookies
Students identify heartwood, sapwood, and a tree's annual rings, infer from a tree's rings what damage or stress might have occurred in its life, and make a time-line of human history that coincides with a tree's rings.
Curated OER
CO2 and Air Pollution
Seventh graders observe and test for the presence of carbon dioxide gas. They compare concentrations of carbon dioxide gas and conclude high concentrations of carbon dioxide gas are unhealthy for human beings.
Curated OER
Gallery Walk Questions on Rivers
A Gallery Walk is a technique that allows small groups to visit different stations, where they examine and discuss materials about an overarching topic. Questions about rivers and fluvial processes are available in this resource;...
Curated OER
The Earth is a Changin'
Pupils view examples of different types of erosion. In this erosion lesson plan, students discuss the different types of erosion and how erosion changes Earth. Pupils explore erosion and the effect it has on engineering.
Curated OER
Marble Mania
Students explore the concept of probability. In this probability instructional activity, students develop an understanding of probability by pulling marbles out of a bag and recording the data. Students use the recording sheet to discuss...
Curated OER
Write Picture Captions
Students notice and investigate a large range of devices for presenting texts-captions. Students write original captions for several audiences. Students write a fictional news story based around a certain caption.
Curated OER
Eye on the Storm
Students discover the way geologists collect information about past hurricanes to determine patterns that may help with storm prediction. They then research the history of natural disasters in different regions of the United States and...
Curated OER
Does Global Warming Increase the Intensity of Atmospheric Natural Disasters?
Young scholars study global warming by communicating the problem, process and solutions. In this global lesson plan students use graphs, research and write a critical stance on natural disasters.
Curated OER
FOLLOW THAT WATER
Students build simple stream tables and vary the angle of the stream tables in order to simulate different flow rates and compare the results. They observe various features formed in a stream table by flowing water and compare these to...
Curated OER
Animals, Soil, Trees
Fourth graders describe the various kinds of soils and how plants and animals are affected by them. They describe the baic needs of plants, scoring at least a 3 or 4 on a 4-point rubic. Students are able to predict and/or infer what...
Curated OER
Science Videos
Young scholars plan, practice, and act in a 2-3 minute videotaped production about a specific topic. Students from a local high school give presentations pertaining to seasons, earth rotation, and moon phases. Young scholars analyze the...
Curated OER
Worksheet 1: Reading: Lara's Blog
Because of its interesting subject matter, this reading passage about one person's experience during a hurricane is compelling. In the 14 question activity students are exposed to rich vocabulary and thought-provoking material. It could...
Curated OER
Glaciers As Indicators of Global Climate Change
Students research about glacial ice melting on the four major spheres of the Earth. In this earth science activity, students explain how this process relates to global warming. They create a presentation and share their findings with the...
Curated OER
Pollute Locally, Spread It Globally
Students examine the rate of pollution throughout the world through an interactive program. They define air quality and the air quality index. They examine fuel economy and its impact on the Earth and renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Curated OER
Maps with a "Spin"
Students, in groups, research and map the effects of a proposed airport three miles outside of town. They prepare a presentation based on a set of maps they make and explains its different points of view from the viewpoints of the town...
Curated OER
Current Events Quiz #5: January 2002
Quiz your class with 60 true/false questions pertaining to current events. The focus is on current (2002) events occurring in the United States. Some of the questions appear superfluous and have little educational value.
Curated OER
What is Climate Change?
Students research climate change. In this environmental lesson, students view a PowerPoint slideshow about climate change and identify the ways that climate change affects life on Earth.