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Earth Science Lesson Plans

Classroom Lessons
Candy Bar Tectonics
Playdoh Mountains(Student worksheet provided)
Ride the Rock Cycle
Mighty Minerals(Student worksheets provided)
Sand Hunt(Student worksheet provided)
Simply Sediments(Student worksheet provided)
Rock and Roll - Building Earthquake Proof Homes
Plate Tectonics - Pick-A-Project(Student worksheet provided)
Weather Lessons(Student worksheets provided)
Also check out ...
Lesson Plan Links for Earth Science- Links to my favorite online resources for lesson plans, activities, and worksheets.
"Digging Into Science - An exploration of paleontology" - Visit this area for details on creating a "dinosaur dig" for your students and an assortment of lesson to explore the world of dinosaurs and fossils!
Internet Lessons
•Earth Energy Resources (pdf)orFossil Fuels (pdf)- Challenge your students to explore energy topics on the web with these scavenger hunts contributed by Stacy Baker.
•Earthquakes & Volcanoes on the Web (pdf)- Explore the world of earthquakes and volcanoes using the sites listed on theKid Zone.
•Mining The Web (pdf)- Students "mine" a few of my favorite geology web sites for information related to rocks and the rock cycle.
Everyday Geology(pdf)- Take your students on a journey through the mineral world! As they explore some of the best mineral sites on the web, they will discover the variety of minerals in the world around them. Also try theMighty Mineralproject described below!
•Plate Tectonics Scavenger Hunt (pdf)- Explore plate tectonics using the sites listed on theKid Zone.
•Volcano Treasure Hunt (pdf)- Explore famous volcanoes using this lesson from Stacy Baker. Utilize the Google search option located on the homepage to help your students find the info they need.
Sites for the Internet lessons are available on Earth Science Pages of theKid Zone.
Note ForTeachers: Please take time to preview the links on any Internet assignment before you use it with your students. With the ever-changing nature of the Internet, links may be become broken or websites are no longer available. If you find a problem, please send me ane-mail.
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Candy Bar Tectonics(T. (Trimpe) Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
An easy and tasty way to illustrate plate tectonics is using candy bars, such as Snickers or Milky Way. Have students wash their hands before starting this activity! They should use a fingernail to make a few breaks in the "crust" or top of the candy bar. To illustrate tension (associated with normal faults) have them gently pull on the edges of the candy bar. They will notice that the "plates" move apart to reveal the caramel/nuts or "asthenosphere". To illustrate the force of shearing (associated with lateral fault) have the students push the plates back together, then slide one half of the candy bar forward and the other backwards. To illustrate the force of compression (associated with reverse and thrust faults) have the students push on both ends of the candy bar to squeeze it together. They should notice the plates colliding and possible see one slide over the top of another. This simple activity is a great discussion starter for any lesson on plate tectonics!
Worksheets:Candy Bar TectonicsUPDATED 2016
CAUTION: Do not use this lab with students who have allergies to peanuts or other food products.
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PlaydohMountains(T.(Trimpe) Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
Students develop an understanding for contour lines and contour intervals as they build their own topographic map. This quick activity, which consists of two sections, can be done in one class period. The first section involves building and mapping a mountain. During the second session, groups try to recreate another groups mountain using only the topographic map as a guide.
Students should be allowed 5 to 10 minutes to build a mountain using 1 container of Playdoh. They can be as creative as they like; however, the more complex the design, the tougher the map. As soon as they are done building, begin the mapping process. To cut each section, use the thread to “wrap” around the area making a clean cut. After cutting each section with the thread, lay it on paper and trace around the perimeter. Continue cutting and mapping until the mountain is done. After each group is done, stack the pieces and hide the mountains in a secret place! Have the groups trade maps. Using the second container of Playdoh, students should try to recreate the original mountain using only the topographic map. My students have some difficulty getting started, but loved the challenge. As an assessment, compare the original to the copy. Have the students evaluate their mountain building and map making skills.
Materials: Playdoh (2 containers per group), thread (50 cm long), paper, and a little imagination
This activity is a wonderful introduction to topographic maps. After completing this activity, my students had fun trying to read topographic maps of our area. I found maps at the courthouse and had a few donated by local developers.
Student Worksheet:Playdoh Mountains (pdf)
• Check out theUSGS websiteon topographic maps for more great ideas as well as a list of symbols used on topographic maps. This website provides teacher tips and information for topographic maps.
• Also visitTerraServerfor topographic and aerial maps of your area!
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Ride The Rock Cycle(T.(Trimpe) Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL) -UPDATED 2016
After students complete an online activity reviewing the rock cycle, they are challenged to create a story or cartoon about a journey through the rock cycle. Students have the option of writing a diary, creating a cartoon, or making a children's book either printed or using electronic tools. My students have a great time using their creativity and I enjoy a little of their humorous insights into a rock's life.
Project Pages:Ride the Rock Cycle (pdf)(online activity),Rock Cycle Project(includes teacher grading sheet),Peer Grading Sheet
Also available ....
Ride the Rock Cycleactivity(created by Stacy Baker, Pleasant HillSchool, Peoria, IL)
For this activity students roll a die and travel through different stations to learn about the rock cycle. After their journey, they use the information from the "trip" to create a comic strip.
Student Worksheets:Rock Cycle Worksheet (pdf)andRock Cycle Dice (pdf)
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Mighty Minerals(T.(Trimpe) Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
For this project, students research a mineral using printed or electronic resources to complete a mineral information report and create a Mighty Mineral cartoon. Their cartoons should illustrate important uses for the minerals in a "superhero" format, such as Mighty Fluority or Iron Man. Complete project details and Worksheets are provided in the pdf download.
Student Worksheets:Mighty Minerals (pdf)
Also available ...List of Common Minerals (pdf)for projects
I make copies of the list and cut them apart for the "adoption" process. Students draw one mineral and I use a master page to keep track of the minerals.
NOTE: I use this project after students have had a chance to explore the uses of minerals (seeMineral Mania (pdf)) and understand basic identification techniques.
Other lessons to try ...
Silly Science- a dichotomous key activity inGeneral Sciencesection that I before with my mineral ID lab!
GeoHunt-Students gain an understanding of the role of rocks, minerals, and fossil fuels in providing the materials we find in our homes, schools, and communities through a game and scavenger hunt for items made from geological resources.
Lesson Resources:GeoHunt_Lesson Plan.doc,GeoHunt_Cards.pdf, &GeoHunt_Tags.pdf
Project Geode-Students will collect data about the physical characteristics of a geode and determine a method for predicting the internal structure.Lesson Resources:ProjectGeode_Lesson Plan.docandProjectGeode_DCard.pdf
Mineral ID Challenge- Students visit 6 stations to learn about the tests used to identify minerals. The download includes teacher information, student worksheet, and station signs. Apowerpointis also available! Links to online tutorials are available on theEarth Science page of theKid Zone.
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Sand Hunt(T.(Trimpe) Tomm, Havana Junior High, Havana, IL)
I developed this lesson to use with the sixth grade students at Havana Junior High. During the lesson students learn the basics of identification and gain insights into the classification of rocks and minerals. The knowledge they gain during this activity provides a foundation from which to build in my 7th grade science class.
Materials needed: Bags of sand (I use the sand found in sand tubes used for weight during the winter months), magnifying glasses, toothpicks. small magnets, egg cartons, samples of rocks on Sand Hunt worksheet, glue, and vinegar
Procedure:
Students should have a basic understanding of the rock cycle and weathering before attempting this lab activity. Distribute the materials to each team (2 - 4 students). Instruct them to sort their sand into groups based on color, luster, shape, etc. I usually allow several short periods over 2 - 3 days for sorting. After the students have sorted their sand into groups, challenge them to identify their finds by comparing them to the sample rocks provided as well as the descriptions provided on the worksheet. Once they have identified the groups, provide glue to adhere the samples to the Sand Hunt worksheet. They should also glue a "pile" of sand in the middle of the page.
Student Worksheet:Sand Hunt (pdf)