Browse lesson plans

Cloudy with a chance of... what?

Students will enjoy reading about a town where no one ever goes hungry because the sky provides food while learning about weather and healthy and unhealthy foods.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 English Language Arts, Healthful Living, and Science)

By BJ Larson and Paula Sharpe.

Project Groundhog

The students will determine the groundhog prediction of either six more weeks of winter or an early spring and see if the prediction was accurate by recording daily weather data for six weeks. Over that six week period the students will be comparing their weekly data with schools around the USA and Canada using the Project Groundhog website.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Mathematics and Science)

By Jane Diamond.

Using K-W-L to confirm what you know

Students will learn to use a K-W-L to activate their prior knowledge and help them set a purpose for reading and recording what they learned. They will also extend their K-W-L chart to confirm the accuracy of their prior knowledge and of what they learn.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 English Language Arts and Science)

By Kathleen Neff.

Weather activities with Night of the Twisters

While reading the novel Night of the Twisters, students will complete activities related to weather concepts described in the story. Students will complete activities which explore the key concepts of cloud formation, air pressure, and local weather patterns.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)

By Melissa Bancroft.

Weathering the water cycle: Condensation

This lesson introduces students to condensation as one phase of the water cycle. Through the use of the four lessons in this series students will learn that the water cycle is a continuous cycle. The other lessons in this series include lessons on evaporation and precipitation as well as a conclusion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Science)

By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

Weathering the water cycle: Evaporation

Students will learn that evaporation is one of the three stages of the water cycle. The other lessons in this series include lessons on condensation and precipitation as well as a conclusion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Science)

By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

Weathering the water cycle: Precipitation

Students will learn that precipitation is one of the three stages of the water cycle and how it relates to the other stages. The other lessons in this series include lessons on evaporation and condensation as well as a conclusion.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 and 5 Mathematics and Science)

By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

Resources on the web

American Field Guide

A collection of online videos that explore many aspects of America's wilderness from animals to earth and space to public policy. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS

ASPIRE: Astrophysics Science Project Integrating Research and Education

Interactive science labs and lessons for teachers and students. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: University of Utah

Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears

Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, is an exciting online professional development magazine for elementary teachers which features content-rich web sites, interactive videos, animations, articles written specifically for K-2 and 3-5 students that... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: The Ohio State University

Curriki

Curriki is a educational wiki that provides high quality resources from its members. Browse by subject or by newly published content. Search by grade level or by topic. New resources are added daily. You an even download the resources you want... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Exploring the Environment

Promotes science-literate and reflective students who are knowledgeable of the earth's processes and their responsibilities for stewardship using these instructional resources. Find activities and learning modules for coral reefs, global climate change, the... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: NASA

Forces of Nature

Make your own volcano; set off an earthquake; create a hurricane; and cause your own tornado as you learn about all the forces of Mother Nature. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Geographic

Franklin Institute Science Museum

For over 176 years, The Franklin Institute has been as much a part of the Philadelphia landscape as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. This is the on-line version of the museum. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: The Franklin Institute Science Museum

NASA Global Change Master Directory

The data set resources on this site are very rich. There are multiple data sets for Earth and natural science categories listed. Subjects include: Agriculture, Oceans, and Climate Changes. Each topic is divided into sub-topics followed by links to data... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: NASA

NASA's Solar System Exploration

Sponsored by NASA, this site contains abundant resources about the solar system. Teachers resources and student activities are included with the content. QuickTime, MPEG or RealVideo is needed for the video selections. User friendly and easy to navigate. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: NASA

NASA's Space Place

Sponsored by NASA, this clever website features information about earth, space and technology through games, activities, and animation. The friendly, attractive interface will easily engage elementary and middle school children in the fantastic world of science.... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: NASA

National Geographic Education Guide

This website provides teachers with an abundant of lesson plans for all grade levels covering the many aspects of geography including: human, culture, people and places, history, etc. The lesson plans are developed to promote and support education meets the... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Geographic

National Geographic Xpeditions

A comprehensive site for the study of geography and its relation to history, archaeology, world cultures, and economics. Teachers can access lesson plans, activities, interactive museums and exhibitions, and maps. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Geographic

NPS Fire Management Program Center

Sponsored by the National Park Service this website features comprehensive information about fire events, management, prevention and resources. Students can learn about fire, its consequences, and its use as a natural resources management technique. Take the... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Park Service