Curated OER
Ticky Goes to Jr. Map School
First graders sing "We All Live Together," by Greg and Steve. They look at a map and sing the "Soggy Waffle Song" to study about the compass rose. Students write N, E, S, W on the borders of paper that goes under a 100's chart. The...
Curated OER
Our Land Lesson 2: Song Mapping
Students study the meaning of philanthropy as giving of time. talent, and treasures. They sing This Land Is Your Land while locating five of the places on a map of the United States showing that relief office are everywhere. They decide...
Curated OER
Me on the Map: Homes, Neighborhoods, and Communities
Students read a book about maps and identify the differences between a picture and a map. In this maps lesson plan, students also label maps of their home, neighborhood, and community.
Curated OER
Where in the World Is Mexico?
Students practice map-reading skills as they locate Mexico and its cities on a world map. By creating a puzzle out of a map of Mexico, students engage in a meaningful hands-on activity to help them explore that country's geography.
Curated OER
Through the Forest and Home Again: Maps Help Us Find Our Ways
Students read Little Red Riding Hood, focusing on her path home to Grandma's house. In this language arts and geography lesson, students perform a reader's theater, re-creating the walk home and possible routes that could have been...
Curated OER
Maps Can Help Us
First graders explore the geography of Montana by analyzing geographic maps of the area. In this Native American reservation lesson, 1st graders discuss the similarities and differences between reservations in the state of Montana....
Curated OER
Landforms By Hand: Geography, Map Skills
Students experiment with landform vocabulary by using their own hands and a bar of soap as media.
Curated OER
Philanthropic Literature: Quilt to Freedom
A reading of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson launches this study of slavery, freedom, and the Underground Railroad. After a discussion of the importance of showing respect for others and of helping each other in...
Curated OER
A Multicultural Study: Chinese New Year
Learners study the customs and beliefs of the Chinese people as they experience Chinese New Year; students become aware that they live on one planet but their festivals and holidays vary.
Curated OER
Garb and Grub Across the Globe
First graders discuss what part of the world their ancestors came from. They locate the locations on a map and discuss the differences and similarities of each continent and their people. They become familiar with the traditional...
Teaching Tolerance
Community Spotlight Cards
Not all heroes wear capes—or cleats. Class members identify unsung heroes in their schools or towns for interviews, then create trading cards. A celebration including presentations or trading of cards completes their investigation of...
Curated OER
Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Map for Me: An Original Story
Students read Blackbeard and brainstorm their knowledge of maps. In this language arts and geography lesson, students use landmarks on their playground to review north, south, east and west and discuss the compass rose. Students read...
Curated OER
Christopher Columbus
Help first graders gain an understanding of the beginnings of our nation by learning more about Christopher Columbus. They begin by listening to a read aloud of Christopher Columbus and His Voyage to the New World (another title could be...
Curated OER
The Gingerbread Man Trail
What a fun way to familiarize your young learners with friendly faces on campus! Scholars read "The Gingerbread Man," discussing the characters he meets. Then, they examine a map of the campus, placing photos of employees (such as the...
Curated OER
Relative Location
First graders use landmarks to describe relative locations of a place. In this geography and mapping lesson plan, 1st graders draw picture maps of their bedrooms to show an object's location in relation to other objects. As an...
Curated OER
Playground Mapping
Students review their physical models of the objects on their playground at school. Using the model, they convert it into a map with a scale and key. To end the lesson, they use the map to locate different objects and measure the...
Curated OER
Climb a Mountain, Raft a River on Your Own Land
Students are introduced to the characteristics of a map. As a class, they discuss the uses of public lands in their community and develop symbols for each feature. They use the symbols to create a map showing the recreational uses of...
Curated OER
Welcome to My World!
Learners use maps to locate information. They read the story, "It Looked Like Spilt Milk", view images of the continents and discuss the various continents. Afterward, they make their own Atlas to record information that they can later...
Curated OER
Geography of Our Environment
Young scholars explore geographical elements. In this geographical elements instructional activity, students create a map showing the geographical elements in their area. Young scholars take pictures of these elements to glue to their...
Curated OER
International Festival: Greece
Students celebrate the culture of Greece. For this multicultural lesson, students participate in several activities which examine the culture of Greece. Students study the Greek alphabet, identify the country on a world map, and make...
Curated OER
What is Kwanzaa?
Describe the general characteristics of Kwanzaa after reading Seven Candles of Kwanzaa. For this Kwanzaa lesson, learners study the principles of the Kwanzaa holiday and interpret the principles through music and dance. They...
Mary Pope Osborne, Classroom Adventures Program
Mummies in the Morning Egyptian pyramids, hieroglyphics
Visit the Magic Treehouse and take your class on a trip through time with a reading of the children's book Mummies in the Morning. Using the story to spark an investigation into Egyptian culture, this literature unit engages...
Curated OER
Mapping Your Local Community
First graders take a walking tour of their community to discover the names of numbered locations on a premade map. They then, create their own map of the community on the computer using Kidspiration software.
Curated OER
America: The Land We Live In: Landmarks
Young scholars explore the concept of landmarks. In this landmark lesson, students brainstorm different landmarks around their community and nationally. Young scholars then identify the patterns in Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings or...