Curated OER
St. Patrick's Day and Leprechauns
Young learners are introduced to the history, and customs surrounding St. Patrick's Day. This colorful and enchanting instructional activity has the students hunt for leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, and that lucky pot 'o gold.
Curated OER
A Tale of Two Towns
Students compare their community and region with other communities around the world. In small groups they complete a questionnaire about life in their community and correspond with e-pals, take digital pictures, conduct research on...
Curated OER
What Kind of Vessel Are You?
This is a strange question; but what kind of vessel would you be and why? After examining images of a large Inca jug, the class sets to writing a creative narrative that answers that very interesting question. They start by researching...
Curated OER
Schools
First graders complete a unit of lessons on school and how schools have changed. They read a Laura Ingalls Wilder excerpt, view and discuss a Norman Rockwell painting, conduct an interview, construct a school map, and create an ABC book...
Curated OER
Natural Features
Students identify natural features on a map. For this map skill lesson, students use a landscape picture map to identify mountains, hills, islands, lakes, and rivers. Students use post-it notes to demonstrate their location.
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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 instructional activity, they use the map to locate different objects and...
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Countries of the World
Students identify countries on a world map. In this map skills lesson, students define the word "country" and use post-it notes to locate several countries on a world map.
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Comparing Countries
Young scholars compare facts about different countries. In this comparing lesson, students collect information about the US and another country and compare them. Young scholars locate countries on the map and make a hypothesis about the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Greek Alphabet: More Familiar Than You Think!
In this Greek alphabet instructional activity, pupils explore the Phoenician origins to the Greek alphabet. Learners compare Greek letters to current letters and write a paragraph about the life of students in ancient Greece. They...
Curated OER
Building Bridges for Young Learners- School
Students examine the purpose of education. In this schooling lesson, students read a letter from a child in Uzbekistan. Students compare and contrast their schooling to children around the world.
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Communities
Students are introduced to the concept of communities. Using a map, they locate and describe different communities of all sizes. They watch a video and answer questions on a worksheet to complete the lesson.
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Introduction to Symbols
Students study the concept of picture symbols as a way to express ideas without using words. In this picture symbol lesson, students place symbols on a U.S. map according to meaning. Students then review various symbols...
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Math with Maps and Globes
Students round out their math skills with these ‘round the world' ideas. In this math and geography lesson, students try out time zone sticks, a polar race, and tic-tac-globe to engage them in learning more about globes and the...
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Introduction to the Globe
Students investigate how to use a globe. In this map skills activity, students define what a globe is and locate the various continents on the globe. Students are also asked to locate the four oceans on the globe.
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Country Capitals
Students locate country capitals on a world map. For this map skills lesson, students review the definition of the word country and discuss what a capital is. Students locate and label capital cities on a world map using a map marker.
Curated OER
Where People Live- Neighborhoods
Students use a map. In this neighborhood instructional activity, students describe a neighborhood, emphasizing the common characteristics between all neighborhoods. Students locate a neighborhood on a landscape picture map and discuss.
Curated OER
The Beet Goes On
Root vegetables inspire the series of activities included here. Class members participate in activities related to language arts, social studies, science, visual art, and math. At first, the long list might feel overwhelming; however,...
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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
Exploring the Sky: Reading Maria's Comet
Discover the science behind astronomy. After reading the book Maria's Comet, which is about a young woman who breaks new ground by becoming a female astronomer, young learners practice reading comprehension with...
Curated OER
Making Friends
First graders examine the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark. They listen to a story, analyze a map, compare/contrast the Jefferson Peace Medal and the Peace Medal nickel, and design a peace and...
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Making a Connection
Young scholars research why government community workers are important to us. They work in teams to identify and illustrate the jobs and services provided by these community workers. Assessment comes from their Student Concept Maps.
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Needs and Wants
First graders recognize the difference between needs and wants. In this treaty lesson, 1st graders chart their needs and wants to be used in making a treaty. Students negotiate what should be in the treaty based on the...
Curated OER
Lone Star Round-Up
Students take a virtual tour of the Capitol Visitors Center in Austin, Texas. In groups, they receive a list of the artifacts and symbols they are to look for during their exploration of the building. To end the lesson, they make a...