Encyclopedias Lesson Plans

Students create "Me" entries for a dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas, and newspaper.

Learners locate information in an encyclopedia and write a report about an nation. They create a flag, a paper doll and give an oral report based on their research.

Students discover the uses for almanacs, atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and the Guinness Book of World Records. In this book sources instructional activity, students work in groups to complete the tests about ways to use the various book sources.

Students research a specific country. In this geography lesson, students are assigned one country to research by using the World Book Encyclopedia. Students record ten facts about the country and write a song about the country using the facts they've learned.

Students identify different types of transportation. In this transportation and research lesson, students brainstorm how they can get from one place to another, read On The Go and discuss if there are any additional ways to add to their list. Students discuss the transportation they see in the Encarta Encyclopedia, find pictures of transportation in magazines and decorate the Kids On the Go! booklet.

Students compare and contrast trains with other forms of transportation and identify their societal uses. In this train study lesson, students share stories about trains and read The Little Train That Could. Students compare the differences from that time to now. Students use Encarta Encyclopedia and websites to study steam and diesel engines and take a virtual field trip. Students visit the Personal Rapid Transit System, illustrate a train, and write facts about it.

Learners investigate the geography of Canada by analyzing a map of the country.  For this North American geography lesson, students identify the 13 provinces of Canada and their locations by examining a Canadian map.  Learners may use computers and encyclopedias to help fill in their Canadian maps.

Working in small groups while using their history textbooks, encyclopedias, and the Internet, your class will research and present one significant 20th or 21st century historical event. To help organize their research, group members will use the program Group Table and will present their findings to the rest of the class in a PowerPoint presentation. The examples of 20/21st century events given are a bit out-dated and could be modified with more recent historical events. 

Students observe human health by analyzing different food groups. In this food pyramid activity, students utilize the web to complete an interactive food pyramid game as well as research the nutrition encyclopedia. Students discuss their favorite healthy foods and write descriptive sentences about it.

Fourth graders use encyclopedias and note taking skills to locate and organize information on a specific animal. They organize note cards with headings and subheadings using incomplete sentences in their own words.