South American History Lesson Plans

Students focus on the geography of the countries of South America. Using a map, they identify the European countries who claimed the South American countries and research the influences they had on South America. To end the lesson, they write an essay about the South American country they want to live in with supporting details.

Students explore South America. In this geography skills instructional activity, students research South America by using political, physical, and population maps.  

Students explore South America. In this geography lesson, students research landmarks of historical or national significance and use their findings to create slideshows.

Students become familiar with a famous city or landmark, ancient ruin, or natural wonder found in South America. They create a slideshow with images and facts about the significance of that South American site and present it to the class.

Sixth graders use the five themes of geography and geographic tools to answer geographic questions and analyze geographic concepts. This unit focuses on an introduction to South America. The history, people and cultures is included.

Students role play as tour operators by planning a group tour to a country in Africa, Asia, or South America. They research the culture, physical geography, and history of one of the countries to highlight their tour destinations. They develop a brochure or booklet that describes their three week tour itinerary.

Students identify conditions in Europe that relate to the independence movements in South America and list reasons why President Monroe gave for recognizing the independence movement in South America.

Students brainstorm what they know about South America, research information about specific South American country, and create travel brochures promoting different South American countries.

Learners discover the significance of similarities and contrasts of three separate cultures of the United States through music. They take out maps and trace the expedition of the Spanish along the coasts of Mexico and North and South America and the Caribbean Islands.

Students explore the history of bark paintings in South America and produce their own version of these paintings.