Lesson Plan Sites
Science
- Science (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS): Chapter 112)
- Lesson Plan Sites Home | Alphabetical List of Lesson Plan Sites
- By Grade Level: Kindergarten | Elementary School | Middle School | High School
Comprehensive Sites
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE)
Grade Levels: PreK-12
TEKS: [Comprehensive site]
- More than 30 Federal agencies formed a working group in 1997 to make hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources easier to find. The result of that work is the FREE web site. Subjects include: arts, educational technology, foreign languages, health, language arts, mathematics, physical education, science, social studies, and vocational education. [FREE brochure]
GEM. The Gateway to Educational Materials (Sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Education)
Grade Levels: PreK-12
TEKS: [Comprehensive site]
- The Gateway to Educational MaterialsSM is a Consortium effort to provide educators with quick and easy access to thousands of educational resources found on various federal, state, university, non-profit, and commercial Internet sites. Offers more than 40,000 lessons and instructional resources from more than 400 organizations. To find lesson plans, "Search the GEM Catalog" for "lesson plans" (as a keyword).
Lesson Plan Collections. Teacher Toolbag--Educational Resources (Texas Education Agency)
Grade Levels: PreK-12
TEKS: [Comprehensive site]
- A list of links to comprehensive collections of lesson plans, most of which are non-governmental sites.
Alternative Energy Lessons. Energy Education (Alternative Fuels Research & Education Division. Railroad Commission of Texas)
Grade Levels: 9-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Fine Arts; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Technology Applications
- Alternative Energy, a science curriculum supplement correlated to TEKS and TAAS, consists of 24 lessons on energy and alternative fuels, primarily in the contexts of physics, chemistry, biology and earth science. Lessons are also included for English, mathematics, art and social studies classes. "Selected electronic resources are listed at the end of each section to help meet community expectations set out in the Texas Education Agency's Long-Range Plan for Technology. Teachers may use these resources to meet advanced students' learning needs, clarify and extend concepts ... and help integrate TEKS into computer-based classroom activities." (Introduction)
Atmospheric Sciences Trading Cards and Lesson Plans (Atmospheric Sciences Data Center)
Grade Levels: 5-8
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Mathematics; Science; Technology Applications
- Trading Cards are a fun and interesting method for learning about the Earth's climate. Various aspects of Atmospheric Sciences are illustrated on Science, Mission, Data, Satellite, and Instrument cards, with an Introduction card to preface the set. Each card highlights important information that NASA uses in order to measure the Earth's climate. Each set of trading cards is accompanied by lesson plans and activities for grades 5 through 8. Three sets are available: Radiation Budget Education, Aerosol Education, and Tropospheric Energy Education.
Big Bend National Park. Curriculum Materials
Grade Levels: K-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies
- Includes lesson plans from biodiversity, cultural diversity, and geology & paleontology workshops.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park. High School Geology Curriculum Guide
Grade Levels: 9-12
TEKS: Science
- While emphasizing the regional geology of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and cavern formation, this guide also provides a general overview of geologic history and processes. Lessons include field trip trips to the Permian strata and caverns in conjunction with hands-on, introductory college-style laboratories to provide background geologic concepts. A glossary, maps, photos, and additional resources are also provided.
Coverdell World Wise Schools Lesson Plans (Peace Corps)
Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-9, 10-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Science; Social Studies
- Coverdell World Wise Schools (CWWS) is an innovative education program that seeks to engage learners in an inquiry about the world, themselves, and others in order to: broaden perspectives; promote cultural awareness; appreciate global connections; and encourage service. Educators use these materials to teach subjects as varied as language arts, environmental education, and international economics. Teacher-tested lesson plans are organized by grade range (3-5, 6-9, 10-12), geographic region, topic, and publication title. Topics include Cross-cultural Understanding, Environmental Studies, Reading and Writing, Service Learning, and Social Studies.
Curriculum Supplement Series. Curriculum Supplements. High School, Grades 9-12 (Office of Science Education. National Institutes of Health)
Grade Levels: 9-12
TEKS: Career Orientation; English Language Arts & Reading; Health Education; Health Science Technology Education; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Technology Applications
- The Teachers Guide under each topic includes a section of lesson plans. Topics: cell biology & cancer, emerging & re-emerging infectious diseases; human genetic variation; the brain: understanding neurobiology through the study of addiction; sleep, sleep disorders, and biological rhythms, and using technology to study cellular and molecular biology. Under the "Web version" the curriculum supplement text can be viewed or printed and the optional multimedia activities accessed. Proceed to the teacher's guide section for complete details on all of the activities. Print copies with accompanying CDs for some titles are also available in the Library (Cell biology and cancer. US Documents: HE 20.3065:C 33; Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. US Documents: HE 20.3065:IN 3; Human genetic variation. US Documents: HE 20.3065:G 28).
Education. National Ocean Service (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Grade Levels: 9-12
TEKS: Science
- The Education section of NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) Web site is organized into a collection of Discovery Kits describing the scientific principles underlying NOS's major programs. Discovery Kits have been developed for teachers and students at the high school level, but can easily be adapted to the undergraduate or middle school level. The Tutorials, Roadmaps, and Lesson Plans in each Discovery Kit are designed to work together, but are comprehensive enough to be used on their own. As of November 22, 2004, three Kits are available: corals, tides & water levels, and geodesy.
Energy Lesson Plans, Curriculum, and Educational Materials (Energy Education & Training. U.S. Dept. of Energy)
Grade Levels: K-12, Higher education
TEKS: Science
- Here you'll find a collection of links to resources for grade-appropriate lesson plans, curriculum, and educational materials for teaching students and children about energy, particularly energy efficiency and renewable energy. Many of the sites linked to are non-governmental agencies and institutions.
Fire and Aviation Management Program. Lesson Plans (National Park Service)
Grade Levels: 6-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Fine Arts; Mathematics; Science
- Lesson plans include "fire adaptation," "hot questions," "fire feelings," "reporting the blazes," "fire field trip," and "fire in my backyard."
From Stargazers to Starships. Lesson Plans for Teachers (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Grade Levels: 9-12
TEKS: Mathematics; Science
- Part of a book-on-the-web, From Stargazers to Starships, by David P. Stern. Lesson plans cover astronomy, physics, and Newtonian mechanics. Includes a "Math Refresher."
Imagine the Universe Lesson Plans (Teachers' Corner. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Grade Levels: 6-8, 6-9, 6-10, 7-12, 9-12, 11-12
TEKS: Mathematics; Science
- Math and science lesson plans developed by teachers and the Imagine the Universe! Team.
K-12 Resources. Lesson Plans (Soil Education. National Resources Conservation Service. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)
Grade Levels: K-12
TEKS: Science
- Lesson plans on soil ("Soil Crayon," "Painting with Soil," "The Color of Soil," "A Soil Profile," "Soil Experiments for the Classroom").
Lesson Plans (H.I.P. Pocket Change. The U.S. Mint)
Grade Levels: K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Technology Applications
- Classroom teachers helped design these lesson plans for social studies, language arts, advanced math, and science using the 50 State Quarters® Program and the Westward Journey Nickel Series. Plans are based on the National Education standards.
Lesson Plans (Grade 5-12) (Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Education Gateway. Classroom Activities)
Grade Levels: 5-12
TEKS: Science
- Lesson plans on earth and space science.
Lesson Plans & Activities (USGS)
Grade Levels: K-3, 4-6, 4-8, 5-8, 7-12
TEKS: Science; Social Studies
- All USGS teaching packets are based on national education standards. Most teacher packets are only available online. Subject areas include Life Science, Geography: Maps, and Earth Science. The site also includes a list of links to other lesson plans.
Lesson Plans for Teachers (Texas Dept. of State Health Services)
Grade Levels: K-5
TEKS: Health Education; Science; Spanish Language Arts & Reading
- Lesson plans for grades K-5 on anatomy, illness and prevention, and nutrition. The nutrition lessons are also available in Spanish. Each plan includes links to the appropriate TEKS chapter.
Lesson Plans from TES (Teaching Environmental Sciences) (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)
Grade Levels: K-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies
- Teachers who participated in the TCEQ's Teaching Environmental Sciences (TES) program developed the lesson plans and ideas for field trips and other activities contained in this publication. (TES is a graduate-level course for teachers and nonformal educators interested in integrating environmental topics into their lessons and activities.) Correlations to TEKS is shown on each lesson plan. Chapters cover air, water, and waste. Appendix A is a list of lesson plans by grade level. This is an online version of a TCEQ publication also available in print in the Library. (Texas Documents: N330.5 L566P 2001)
NASA Educational Materials
Grade Levels: K-4, 5-8, 9-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Mathematics; Science; Technology Applications
- An extensive list of educational materials can be browsed by type (bookmarks, classroom activities, educator guides, etc.), by grade level, or by subject. Broad subject areas include: Careers, Earth Science, History, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Space Science, Spanish, and Technology.
NASA Quest. Educators and Parents (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Grade Levels: K-12
TEKS: Mathematics; Science; Technology Applications
- NASA Quest offers a wide range of free online tools and resources for teachers, students, parents and others including Web and print lesson plans, educator guides and workbooks. Some units include correlations to Texas standards.
NGA Classroom for Teachers and Students (National Gallery of Art)
Grade Levels: K-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Fine Arts; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies
- A place where teachers and students can connect art and curriculum. Resources can be accessed by curriculum, topics, or artists. "Featured Lessons" include topics such as self-portraits in art (explores identity using self-portraits and creative writing), new angles on art (explores the intersection of art and math concepts such as geometry), and counting on art (using works of art to introduce and practice math concepts).
Ocean Explorer/Education. Lesson Plans (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Grade Levels: 5-12 (5-6, 7-8, 9-12)
TEKS: Science
- This site provides direct access to 165 lesson plans developed by scientists and educators during the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 Ocean Explorer field seasons. The lessons are geared toward students in Grades 5-12. Presented here as Web-based education materials, each lesson plan corresponds with a specific ocean exploration and can be supplemented with daily logs prepared by scientists and educators during each mission at sea. Includes images and video captured in the daily logs. Each activity is correlated to the National Science Education Standards and has Adaptations for Teachers of Deaf Students. Can search for plans by grade level, region, subject, or exploration.
Renewable Energy Lesson Plans (Texas State Energy Conservation Office. www.InfinitePower.org)
Grade Levels: 4, 6, 9 (Elementary school, Middle school, High school)
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies; Technology Applications
- Each lesson plan was created by a team of professional educators and renewable energy experts and uses information from one of the agency's fact sheets as a starting point for building knowledge. In addition, all lesson plans are fully integrated with the latest TEKS requirements. Lesson plans are grouped into three age levels designed for elementary school (grade 4), middle school (grade 6), and high school (grade 9). However, the lesson plans can be used in other grades as well, or by parents and home schoolers to teach their children about renewable energy.
Smithsonian Lesson Plans (Educators. Smithsonian Education)
Grade Levels: PreK-3, 4-8, 9-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Fine Arts; Science; Social Studies; Technology Applications
- Lesson plans in art & design, science & technology, history & culture, and language arts are available. Browse lesson plans by subject area or search by grade levels and keywords.
Teacher Toolkit: Activities and Lesson Plans (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
Grade Levels: K-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Science
- Lesson plans on ecological concepts, terrestrial ecology, aquatic activities, archeology, and journaling and creative writing.
Teachers' Lounge. Resources for Teachers. Lesson Plans (Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Education and Outreach Program. Office of Science. U.S. Dept. of Energy)
Grade Levels: K-12
TEKS: Science
- The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Education and Outreach Program creates basic science lessons related to weather and climate for K-12th grade. ARM Education strives to make lessons that are relevant to the needs of the schools in the communities where the ARM Program has their sites, the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of the United States, the Tropical Western Pacific (TWP), and the North Slope of Alaska (NSA). However, almost all of these lessons are useful for students anywhere. Lesson plans cover such topics as "acid rain," measuring cloud heights," "rainfall and water table," and "tracking global climate change."
Teaching with Documents: Lesson Plans (Digital Classroom. National Archives and Records Administration)
Grade Levels: 9-12
TEKS: English Language Arts & Reading; Science; Social Studies
- This section of the "Digital Classroom" contains reproducible copies of primary documents from the holdings of the National Archives of the United States, teaching activities correlated to the National History Standards and National Standards for Civics and Government, and cross-curricular connections.
Government Documents Home
Revised: November 2007, by Janetta Paschal, Government Documents/Reference Librarian
