Curated OER
Exploring Neighborhoods through Art
Learners explore neighborhoods. In this color and social studies cross-curriculum lesson, students listen to Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, then compare and contrast neighborhoods. Learners mix primary colors to make...
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Interactive Atlas
Second graders examine the different ways people move from place to place in a neighborhood. Using the interactive online atlas MapQuest, they identify the various ways people move around their own neighborhood by creating a map and...
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Cartography Project
A lesson involving mapping, the use of a compass, writing and following directions, and exploring the first two themes of geography is here for you. Learners create original maps that show the routes they take through their own...
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Neighborhoods
Learners examine homes around the world. In this multicultural lesson, students read the book A World of Homes and Homes Around the World. Learners compare and contrast the homes in the books to their own homes. Students construct a...
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Peace Bridge Game
Students examine the border between the United States and Canada. As a class, they are introduced to the purpose of the Peace Bridge which is located from New York into Canada. In groups, they use the internet to research the...
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Remember the Best
Students examine information about mural art by researching the artwork of Diego Rivera, the "Neighborhood Quilts" of Faith Ringgold, and Pablo Picasso's "Guernica". They note many images in this artwork, each having its own story. They...
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Neighborhood Map Machine
Second graders study building placements in a neighborhood. They discuss businesses, roads, houses, rivers, police/fire stations, and use Neighborhood Map Machine to create a new map. They complete an exploratory map and community of...
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Roxaboxen
Students create a model of a community building that contributes to a class neighborhood layout. They explain the purpose of his or her individual role and community building, and how it fits into the class model of a neighborhood.
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Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map
Second and third graders practice with basic map skills. They create their own map including a legend and a compass rose. This fabulous plan has many excellent websites linked which allow learners to explore maps of all kinds; including...
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Building a School Model: An Academic Challenge
First and second graders explore aspects of design. They discuss and design the ideal classroom building complete with window and door placement. Additionally, students observe and note features found in neighboring classrooms as...
National Wildlife Federation
What's Your Habitat?
How are third graders like rabbits? They both live in habitats and require food, water, and shelter to survive! An educational science lesson encourages your learners to think about their own habitats and survival needs, before comparing...
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Communities Around the World
Students investigate the idea of community by taking a field trip. In this civics lesson, students participate in a supervised walk around their neighborhood while identifying characteristics and objects that make their home town...
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Neighborhood Mini-Mural
Learners study the work of Keith Haring. In this art lesson, students create chalk drawing similar to the works of Keith Haring. Learners create a mural using the chalk drawings.
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My Neighborhood: A Webquest
Students engage in a Webquest to discover their school and community. They interview staff members of the school, create maps and take digital photographs of the school. As they write about their school, they use Microsoft Word to...
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How Do I Get There? Planning a Safe Route to School
One much-needed skill for young learners is direction giving. Have your class plan and draw a safe route for them to travel from home to school. They will also draw places and items that are in between home and school in order to build a...
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World at Peace
Students explore world peace by creating a PowerPoint presentation. In this human rights lesson, students discuss the current conditions of human rights around the planet and view an on-line exhibit hosted by UNICEF. Students discuss...
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Texture Towns
Learners explore different kinds of communities as well as identifying and discussing the attributes of their own neighborhood. They make choices about what kinds of shapes best create the look of the type of community they wish to...
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Fields of Daffodils
Students discuss the characteristics of a community. They discuss their local neighborhood, and brainstorm ways to help others in their community. Using recycled file folders and paint, students create their own daffodils. They discuss...
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Learning About Maps
Learners take a "field trip" with the teacher through the school then draw a diagram of what they saw. They bring the maps to the computer lab where they create electronic maps using the software program Neighborhood Map Machine.
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Pizza for Everyone
Pizza is the inspiration for the cross-curricular lesson detailed here. Start out with a poem about pizza and move into a discussion about balanced eating. To close the language arts portion of the lesson, ask your pupils to write...
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The Gift of Community
Students explore the diversity offered in communities. In this Teaching Tolerance instructional activity, students read The Gift and then interview people within their school community regarding the gifts they receive in their community.
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Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Map for Me: An Original Story
Pupils 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. Pupils read This is...
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Math All Around Us!
Students walk around their neighborhood and school to find objects that remind them of a math concept or vocabulary term. In this real world math lesson, students find math concepts in various familiar locations and take pictures of...
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Clay for Fun: An Introduction to Clay
Young scholars experiment with clay to create sculptures. They research various animals and work with parts of animal names to create their own imaginary animal sculptures using clay.