Browse lesson plans

Barrier islands

In Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks, page 1.8

This lesson is part of chapter one of the unit "Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks." Students examine the difference between simple overwash barrier islands and complex barrier islands. They also learn more about the island-building process and the effect this process can have on daily life on barrier islands.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Stanley R. Riggs, Dorothea Ames, and Karen Dawkins.

The coastal dilemma

In Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks, page 1.15

This lesson is part of chapter one of the unit "Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks. Students look at examples of shoreline erosion. They reflect on the impact this erosion can have on human life on the Outer Banks.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Stanley R. Riggs, Dorothea Ames, and Karen Dawkins.

Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks

The lessons in this unit allow students to explore the processes affecting North Carolina's Outer Banks and the impact these processes have on daily life there.

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

Estuarine shorelines behind simple overwash barrier islands

In Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks, page 1.13

This lesson is part of chapter one in the unit "Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks." Students take another look at simple overwash and complex barrier islands. They examine more closely how overwash and inlet processes are crucial to the long-term maintenance of barrier islands and how these processes can affect human life.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Stanley R. Riggs, Dorothea Ames, and Karen Dawkins.

Human responses to eroding shorelines

In Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks, page 1.16

This lesson is part of chapter one of the unit "Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks." Students look at efforts that are taken to prevent shoreline erosion. These include building hardened structures along shorelines. Students examine the effects these efforts have on barrier islands.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Stanley R. Riggs, Dorothea Ames, and Karen Dawkins.

Introducing students to environmental justice: A North Carolina case study

This lesson plan for science and social studies uses the 5E model to have students consider an environmental justice case study.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Dana Haine.

North Carolina Coastal Plain province

In Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks, page 1.7

This lesson is part of chapter one of the unit "Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks." Students compare and contrast the Northern Coastal province and the Southern Coastal province.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Stanley R. Riggs, Dorothea Ames, and Karen Dawkins.

Sea-level change and coastal dynamics

In Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks, page 1.3

This lesson is a part chapter one of the unit "Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks." Students learn about how the sea level has changed over several thousand years. They also look at sea level changes from the past century and infer what sort of affects these changes have — or will have — on the life of citizens in coastal areas.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Stanley R. Riggs, Dorothea Ames, and Karen Dawkins.

Time

In Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks, page 1.2

This lesson is part of chapter one of the unit "Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks." Students look at a chart of geologic time dating back to the beginning formation of the earth through modern times, noting that many geologic changes occur over millions of years. They also look at photographs of recent geologic change to learn that some geologic changes occur in a human time frame, as well.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–10 Science and Social Studies)

By Stanley R. Riggs, Dorothea Ames, and Karen Dawkins.

Using coastal evidence to make management decisions

In Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks, page 2.2

This lesson is part of chapter two of the unit "Coastal processes and conflicts: North Carolina's Outer Banks." Students act as if they are residents of the area affected by the opening of Isabel Inlet. Depending on which group they are in, they argue for or against the closure of the inlet in a class debate.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies)

By Stanley R. Riggs, Dorothea Ames, and Karen Dawkins.

Resources on the web

The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education

A New Jersey-based organization whose mission is to provide "real world" resources for classroom education in engineering and science. Professional Development opportunities in New Jersey available. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Stevens Institute of Technology

Cool Planet for Teachers

This site from OxFam helps teachers bring global issues into the classroom. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: OxFam

Exploring manatee conservation in Latin America

During this virtual tour, your students will have access to real-life, current examples of manatee conservation. Through this web site, your students will have the opportunity to experience research as it takes place and to develop a broader understanding... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 and 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Facing the Future: People and the Planet

Committed to providing educational resources for the promotion of the understanding necessary for sustainable resources and living. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Facing the Future

Ferocious felines

In this Xpeditions lesson, students study the biota—or flora and fauna—of the Kalahari Desert, and the importance of the lion's role as predator within this ecosystem. This lesson engages students in small group collaboration, research using online... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Science)

Provided by: Xpeditions

The garden

In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the virtual exhibit, “The Garden”. After the teacher explains that students will learn about the impact human actions have on a variety of areas in the world, they navigate their way through the exhibit... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Geography Action!

Activities, lesson plans, and a showcase of natural sounds help students and teachers explore topics such as biodiversity, conservation, habitats, population, rivers, and U.S. public spaces in an effort to celebrate Geography Awareness Week all year long. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Geographic

Kenan Fellows Program

A two year program designed to promote teacher leadership and advance K-12 science, technology and mathematics education in North Carolina. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: North Carolina State University Kenan Institute

Where Do Your Possessions Come From?

It's important for geography students to learn about the Earth's natural resources and the ways that people use these resources. It's also important for students to recognize that there are always environmental and human impacts related to the resource... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions