Students review the concept of character and name the traits associated with good character. As a class, they discover a mystery at Lake Cachuma and complete a worksheet. They use the internet to research the history of the Chumash...

Middle schoolers, in groups, investigate and demonstrate the science behind the development and characteristics of winter storms by creating a weather report.

Upper elementary learners identify the Aztecs as the builders of a great city and rich civilization in what is now Mexico. They locate the Aztec Empire and its capital on a map and place the Aztecs in the chronology of American history....

During the 1800s the United States was expanding westward; land was there for the taking.  Kids explore how some early photographers used their photography to influenced the US Congress to save areas like Mirror Lake. They...

After a close reading of Sylvia Plath's "Mirror" and Flora de Falbe's "Five Things About the Lake," young poets craft their own personification list poem about a very special place.

In this zebra mussels instructional activity, 7th graders read an article about zebra mussel populations in United States' lakes and rivers. Students read about the negative effects and some positive results and then answer several...

Students complete an essay documenting a conflict present in the novel Holes. They define the six types of literary discussion as a class. After identifying one of these types of conflicts in the novel, students write a five paragraph...

In this mystery state worksheet, students answer five clues to identify the state in question. They then locate that state on a map.

A Gallery Walk is a technique that allows small groups to visit different stations, where they examine and discuss materials about an overarching topic. Questions about rivers and fluvial processes are available in this resource;...

Students examine the case of a map making expedition. In groups, they read a case study on "The Lost Gorge" in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. They examine maps and determine where the error in the map-making occured to end...

Students research lakes of eastern Kansas. Students compile their information into a "sandwich" with each layer containing a specific list of information.

Students examine and discuss urban geography and land-cover types along the Wasatch Front. They analyze thermal images, create collages, and predict surface and air temperatures from aerial photos in the Salt Lake City Valley.

Students explore respiration in a lake ecosystem by experiment and research.

Students perform experiments to determine the PH, acidity, and buffering qualities of a lake that make them sensitive to acid deposition.

Students research about the function of MPA's. In this marine science lesson, students explore how humans influence changes near these areas. They explore different MPA's in the Great Lakes region.

Learners read the book and watch the movie, Holes. They create a brochure (containing specific information) that advertises Camp Green Lake as a newly refurbished outdoor adventure camp. They display the brochures for the rest of the...

Students locate the Great Lakes on a US map, then read a news article about a sled being used as a wintertime school bus in Wisconsin. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary activity,...

Students understand the dynamics of acid rain and its impact on the living and non-living environment. They hypothesize how acid rain affects water pH levels in two lake systems with differing watershed features.

Young scholars observe the effects of pollution on living organisms. In this pollution lesson plan, students observe fresh water Hydra and look at their structures and movement. They place samples of pond and lake water on the Hydra and...

Third graders investigate the concept of bodies of water. The information is obtained from the internet while conducting research. Then students draw upon prior knowledge from a film to combine information for the purpose of creating a...

Young scholars identify and interpret the type of evidence found at a typical dinosaur dig and mimic a paleontologist by taking crayon rubbings of simulated bone impressions. After the rubbings are taken, the students reconstruct the...

Students explain the importance of having Marine Protected Areas. In this ecology lesson, students research MPA's in any of the Great Lakes. They play a MPA simulation game and identify MPA's on the map.

Young scholars develop skill in using co-ordinates. Up to eight cardinal points of the compass are used making this a useful activity in simple map and grid work. They utilize educational software to gain practice.

Eighth graders investigate the concept of the trail system used by the Native Americans. They compare and contrast the trails to modern transportation roadways of today. Students also define the types of information archaeologists use to...