21st Century South America Lesson Plans

Trace Columbus' voyages by locating them on 21st Century maps.  Using a navigators lesson, 4th graders will examine the Age of Exploration and trace Columbus's routes accurately on laminated world maps using different maps. Note: You will need to provide a map for this activity.

Students practice detailed reading and study holiday vocabulary. They practice comparatives and superlatives.

Students complete a variety of activities as they examine the historical significance of the Transcontinental Railroad and the Golden Spike Ceremony in Promontory, Utah, which honored its completion. In one activity they plan and recreate a grander, more appropriate Golden Spike ceremony.

Students make estimates on how many people they believe live on Earth. While watching a video, they take notes on the issues facing Kenya, Japan and India. In groups, they calculate how long it takes for a country to double in size. To end the lesson, they discuss the challenges countries face with increasing populations.

Examine the phenomenon of El Niño and its impact on the environment. Using social studies, language arts, and science, learners will develop a news story on past occurrences of El Nino, its global effect on weather patterns, predictions for the current El Niño, and precautions to take at the national and local level. This is an interactive problem solving activity that incorporates multiple subjects with technology. Links, handouts, and resources are included.

Fourth graders identify the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In this ecology lesson plan, 4th graders create models of wind mills and hydropower. They discuss the pros and cons of using alternative forms of energy.

Young scholars determine that thriving African cultures engaged in international trade and exploration before the emergence of European civilization. The study ancient Ghana, its geographic locale, the diversity therein to include its people, their lifestyles, languages, and customs.

Learners explore the Aztec culture and the Conquistadors. In this Aztec instructional activity, students investigate the language and culture of the Aztec civilization. Over several days and lessons, learners expand their study to explore the impact of Conquistadors on this ancient civilization.

Students discover the changing of cultures around the world by investigating dead languages.  In this World History lesson plan, students research Native Languages of many different locations and write an essay based on their understanding of dying languages.  Students read written material given to them and Internet sites in order to gather enough information.

Students examine world water resources. In this environmental case study lesson plan students analyze the provided handouts and complete worksheets regarding the water rebellion in Cochabamba, Bolivia.