Browse lesson plans

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: Conclusion

This lesson concludes the unit "Weathering the Water Cycle." As a result of this unit, students will understand that the water cycle is a continuous cycle made up of three stages. The other lessons in this series include lessons on evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Format: lesson plan

By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.

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.

Who has seen the wind? Harnessing alternative energy

In this lesson plan, students conduct a series of investigations in order to understand issues surrounding the production of energy from wind, informed by the video "Roping the Wind in Texas" on the Powering a Nation website. Activities include discussing a video about the siting of a wind farm in Texas; conducting calculations based on local wind data; and using Google Earth, windNavigator software, and hands-on investigations to assess the potential for producing wind energy in the students' local area.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Linda Schmalbeck.

Whose habitat is that?

This lesson is designed to help students explore the surroundings animals find in a variety of habitats. This plan is written for the desert habitat but the same plan should be used for the exploration of a variety of habitat settings.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts and Information Skills)

By Kelly Stewart.

Resources on the web

Adopt a lot

Students identify a place in the community that needs to be improved and develop a plan to renew the area. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Science)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

The Adventures of Amelia the Pigeon

An animated adventure story with multimedia components to engage the K-4 audience and illustrate Earth science concepts. There is also a text-only version of this children's book available on the site. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics

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

American Geological Institute

A site devoted to providing information and resources related to the geosciences, with a focus on earth science in education. Includes activities, lesson plans, links to relevant websites, and a section for online Earth science professional development for... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: American Geological Institute

ARKive: Images of Life on Earth

A digital library that strives to document and centralize information, images, and audio and video recordings of endangered and protected species throughout the world. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Wildscreen Trust

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

Backyard Conservation

Backyard Conservation, from the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, demonstrates ways that conservation practices used on farmland can be used to conserve and improve natural resources on the land around your home and school. Topics... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

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

Biodiversity Counts

Biodiversity Counts is a project created by the American Museum of Natural History in conjunction with educators and curriculum specialists from across the country. The creators of the project believe that students learn science best by engaging in authentic... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: American Museum of Natural History

Biology Corner

This site provides resources for biology and science teachers, including lesson plans, web lessons, web quests, images, and quizzes. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Shannon Muskopf

c.o.o.l. classroom

Students will predict a plankton bloom, determine the displacement of a boat adrift at sea, predict good fishing days, and more while improving basic skills training, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Find video, printable teaching guides, and... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Rutgers University

Camp Silos

Provides educational material related to the natural prairie, pioneer farm life, early agricultural technology, and the story of corn from its early Indian origins to the present using virtual field trips, primary sources, and a variety of other multimedia... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area

Celebrating Wildflowers

Enjoy wildflowers in your region and learn about the values of these native plants. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: USDA Forest Service