This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades K-5. It focuses on plate tectonics and volcanoes acting as a cooling vent for the inner core of the Earth. Students build model volcanoes and use them as comparisons for actual volcanoes. Included are objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ideas, suggested readings, and vocabulary. There ... Full description.

In this lesson plan students will learn about the importance of ocean conservation. They will think about how photography can help humans understand the impact they are having on the oceans by looking at the photography of David Doubilet. They will look at animals that are endangered because of human behavior and choose one to study in depth. Finally, students will draw the animal they choose and ... Full description.

This lesson explores how scientific knowledge changes in the context of abrupt climate change. Until a few years ago, it was believed that climate changes gradually on Earth. But results from ice cores and other geologic records of past temperature changes indicate that this is not necessarily the case and that abrupt climate changes may be the norm rather than the exception. Using this issue, students ... Full description.

This lesson plan helps students understand the relationship between the Earth and the Sun and how this relationship affects observable phenomena on Earth, such as the seasons. Students will describe the differences between the four seasons and investigate why they occur; diagram the Earth and Sun during different seasons; use the Cosmic Map activity; predict and find out what the weather is actually ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on island formation through water level changes, coral growth, or volcanism. Through class demonstrations, worksheets, and research, students learn the different ways islands form as well as how different lifeforms develop on the islands. It includes objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, ... Full description.

This Classroom Connectors lesson plan teaches students to identify the layers of the Earth, including the crust, mantle and core. The site provides goals, objectives, an outline, time required, materials, activities, and closure ideas for the lesson. The Classroom Connectors address content with an activity approach while incorporating themes necessary to raise the activity to a higher cognition level. ... Full description.

This lesson plan illustrates one way that the study of geography can be applied to planning for the future. Students will research an environmental issue that affects their town or region, draw pictures assuming two possible outcomes for the problem in fifty years (one negative and one positive), and create a plan to educate the community about this issue. Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on a manned mission to the planet Mars, and how characteristics of this planet are challenging our existing technology. Students research the problems of sending a manned mission and then design a vehicle for travel on Mars surface. It includes objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, ... Full description.

In this lesson, students will observe the amount of water in an open container vs a closed container over time. This lesson is the second in a three-part series that addresses a concept that is central to the understanding of the water cycle: that water is able to take many forms but is still water. In this second lesson, students will focus on the concept that water can go back and forth from one ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on large earthquakes hitting populated areas. Students learn about basic earthquake features such as seismic waves and how different places are affected differently by earthquakes. Then groups create a proposal for city government to prepare the city for a large earthquake. It includes objectives, materials, ... Full description.