Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography and World History

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students build off of their current knowledge of geography and world history, while being introduced to new concepts and ideas.
Website
Other

Sacmeq: Stat Planet Map Maker: Interactive Mapping and Visualization Software

For Students 9th - 10th
Free application for creating thematic maps and graphs using demographic, educational, environmental, health and socioeconomic indicators from various sources such as the World Health Organization. Includes demos, a video, and other...
Handout
Mariners' Museum and Park

Age of Exploration: Changing View of the World: The Development of Map Making

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Read a summary of the history of map-making and the maps that were produced as a result of European exploration in the Americas. See examples of these maps and find out more about each one in this exhibit from the Mariners' Museum.
Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Geography Awareness Week

For Students Pre-K - 1st
This resource is the portal to all the resources National Geographic provides for celebrating Geography Awareness Week, which occurs the third week of November. Find the toolkit, archives of previous celebrations, videos, and mapmaking...
Website
US Geological Survey

Geographic Information Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an extensive resource explaining what Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are, how they work, applications of GIS, and GIS through history.
Activity
Social Studies for Kids

Social Studies for Kids: Latitude and Longitude

For Students 5th - 8th
A collection of latitude and longitude mapping activities ranging from pin-pointing exact locations on the globe to researching the history behind this basic geography concept.
Article
Other

Mountains of Stone: David Thompson Canadian Fur Trader and Mapmaker

For Students 9th - 10th
Historical novelist O. Ned Eddins shares his knowledge of explorer and mapmaker David Thompson.
Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Alan Paton

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site features excellent links to lesson plans and activities for the book "Cry, the Beloved Country."
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: History of Railroads and Maps: Railroad Maps 1828 1900

For Students 9th - 10th
This history of the American railroad from the Library of Congress also provides an understanding of how maps and mapmaking were so closely related to the growth of our railway system.
Lesson Plan
Volunteer Voices

Volunteer Voices: Mapmaking [Pdf]

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
In this lesson plan students will explore the mapmaking craft, examine the Lewis and Clark maps,identify and apply mapmaking techniques and tools.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Topography of Fruit

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This is an attempt to help students understand contour lines in map-making through the vector of digital photography. This hands-on activity will create an art piece out of fruit that will be analyzed to create topographic maps.
Lesson Plan
ArtsNow

Arts Now Learning: Adventure Island [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
In this lesson plan, students will study examples of treasure maps and make a list of features and symbols. They will use their imaginations to create their own treasure maps and compose narratives to describe them.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Pathfinders

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a brief description of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Pike Expedition which sought to map out the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.