For the warm-up in this cool climate lesson, you will need to click on "Mapping" and then "US Mapping" once you arrive at NOAA's "US Climate at a Glance" page. Earth science explorers realize that 2012 was a warm winter for us. They read...

What animals are best suited for moving around a rainforest, or a desert? Design your own animal species based on a particular habitat, focusing on the characteristics it will need for optimal movement. Great as a group lesson or...

Eighth graders describe and identify the three layers of the Earth. They work together to construct their own earth model. They share their creation with the class.

Students identify the layers of the Earth and complete activities for the topic. For this Earth layers lesson, students chart their ideas about the Earth's layers and view a PowerPoint for the topic. Students view an apple to learn about...

Pupils study plate tectonics.  In this plate tectonics lesson students build a cutaway scale model of the Earth. 

Students examine the constant changing of the Earth's atmosphere. After labeling the layers of the Earth, they identify various processes inside the Earth that can cause gases to be emitted. Using the internet, they research how the...

Students examine the geological time scale: the Earth is ancient; time can be divided into periods based on its fossil content.

Sixth graders review the relationship between the Sun and the Earth. In groups, they use a globe and flashlights to show the shadows on the Earth during the different seasons. To end the lesson, they write in their journals about their...

Learners arrange various pictures of the Earth to identify its journey through space. In this Earth's rotation lesson, students use models of the Earth and demonstrate its journey through space. Learners complete the worksheet about the...

Students explore the Earth. In this space instructional activity, students view the " Earth and Moon Viewer" web site and complete a related worksheet.

Eighth graders use Google Earth to study the landscape of Utah. In this Utah landscape lesson plan, 8th graders view landscape photos and work in partners to analyze the pictures. Students write a paragraph that describes the landscape...

Pupils consider how topography affects weather and human activity. Students simulate a mountain range and observe surrounding wind patterns.

Pupils study the three components that comprise the Earth's system.  In this investigative lesson students develop an understanding of the Earth's structure and identify the three major components of the system. 

Students explore the value of land and the importance of conserving it as a limited resource. They observe a experiment where an apple represents the earth. From the demonstration, students visually see the fractions and percentages that...

Looking for a terrific lesson on the phases of the moon that has lots of good worksheets? With two excellent websites are embedded in the plan, the activity is sure to spark some interest in your astronomy unit. Some common...

Have your class do research on natural disasters and create a presentation using this resource. In completing this activity, learners apply the five geography themes to their research. They write a paper describing their results. It's a...

Students investigate how the sun travels across the sky at different latitudes using Solar Motion Demonstrator. In this earth science lesson, students explain why seasons change. They study how the tilt of the Earth's axis affects...

Students identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations. They design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions related to earth and...

Students identify the different stages in the water cycle. In this earth science lesson, students calculate the residence time of water in oceans using a mathematical formula. They explain how this cycle regulates the Earth's climate.

Students research about glacial ice melting on the four major spheres of the Earth. In this earth science lesson, students explain how this process relates to global warming. They create a presentation and share their findings with the...

Students explore Earth science by completing a could identification activity. In this weather lesson, students discuss the different forms of measurement for the weather of Earth. Students discuss global warming and examine a list of...

Middle schoolers discuss the effects of earthquakes. In this earth science lesson plan, students create earthquake models and earthquake-proof buildings. They construct their own seismograph.

Students perform various experiments to explore hurricanes. In this earth science lesson, students explain how they form. They identify the structure of a hurricane.

Students identify the main components of the solar system. For this earth science lesson, students order the planets according to their distances from the Sun. They differentiate planets from dwarf planets.