Lessons
Fundamental to these lessons and the project are the National Science Standards (http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/) and AAAS Benchmarks (http://www.project2061.org/publications/bsl/online/bolintro.htm). An understanding of these will help you focus your lessons, discussions and assessment.
Additional lesson ideas beyond this website can be found at the digital library for earth science http://www.dlese.org/library/index.jsp and by joining the National Science Teachers Association www.nsta.org
There are also books that are dedicated to using schoolyards and local parks for lessons. These include:
Ten Minute Field Trips by Helen Ross Russell. Available from NSTA Press
Schoolyard Enhanced Learning: Using the Outdoors as an Instructional Tool, K-8 by Herbert W. Broda. Available from Stenhouse Publishers.
Outdoor Science Classroom by Steve Rich. Carson-Deliosa Publishing.
Click on an Earth Science topic below and you will find lesson ideas and resources
http://www.amnh.org/education/resources/biocounts/ Biodiversity Counts! is a curriculum developed by the Museum of Natural History in NYC. They pilot tested this curriculum in our own Oakwood cemetery. Although not specifically earth science, this is a valuable resource.