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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Expansion and the Frontier

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore U.S. history by researching a historic map. In this westward expansion lesson, students discuss the mystery of the western U.S. in the early 1800's and the impact expansion had on Native Americans and agriculture....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be worn...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pre-Colonial Native American Groups

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate U.S. history by researching the Internet and taking a test. In this American Indian group lesson, students identify the many specific Native American tribes and their geographic locations. Students research the web...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Age of Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration lesson, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding his...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Cloud Coverage

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore Earth science by completing weather symbol worksheets. In this cloud identification lesson, students identify the different types of clouds in the sky and how they are formed. Learners complete a cloud measurement...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern Technology and Farming

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore agriculture by conducting a technology conversation in class. In this food system lesson, students identify the path of food from farm to plate and view a virtual farm on the Internet. Students complete a farming...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recruiting a Few Good Citizens

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students write persuasive speeches to recruit soldiers for a Civil War company. In this Civil War U.S. history and writing lesson plan, students work in groups to create a recruiting poster and write a speech to persuade soldiers to join...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Skills

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore geography by creating a poster presentation in class. In this mapping lesson, students identify the different components featured on a modern day map and how to utilize them in order to navigate. Students read a book...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This is America

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars explore world geography by viewing a documentary film in class. In this national parks instructional activity, students view the Ken Burns documentary about the subject and identify the contributions of individuals in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Images of the Parks

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore U.S. geography by completing a research project about the National Parks. In this scenery image analysis lesson, students identify the different national parks in our country and observe paintings and images by famous...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking for a Windshield Experience

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Learners identify American geography by participating in a national parks activity. In this road trip instructional activity, students view the Ken Burns documentary "National Parks" and identify the importance of automobiles in the park...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Personal Stories of the National Parks

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore historical information about U.S. national parks using the stories of Edward and Margaret Gehrke as a primary source document. In this United States geography, history, and literacy lesson, students view the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore U.S. history by completing a quiz about civics. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students read assigned text about Franklin's role in the development of the Constitution and the creation of a new society. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kalahari Explorations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore world geography by completing graphic organizers and researching the Internet. In this Kalahari desert lesson, students identify the geographic location, weather and creation of the Kalahari desert. Students define a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Play Doh Map of Your State

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students create a state map using Playdoh. In this hands-on state geography instructional activity, students work in groups to form a three-dimensional  map of their state using Playdoh made at home following a (given) recipe. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making an Illustrated Dictionary with Geographic Terms

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Learners construct a geography dictionary. In this geography lesson, students work in small groups to construct a dictionary of geographic terms. Learners use illustrations and descriptions to develop their geographic dictionaries.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Name That Town

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners demonstrate how to locate places on a map using coordinates. In this map skills instructional activity, students work in small groups and select a name from a map index to locate. Learners use coordinates to identify the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Continents Game

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study geography. In this geographic terms lessons, students compare the continents based on their different features. They work as a class to put the continents in order from least to greatest based on the different geographic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forests of the Sea

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars read about and conduct experiments to learn about the vegetation under Monterey Bay. In this Monterey Bay lesson, students read about and look at brightly colored pictures of the different types of seaweed that grows in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What in the World Is a Watershed?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students discover the role of a watershed. In this geography lesson plan, students are shown a diagram of a watershed and discuss the definition of a watershed. Students demonstrate the role of a watershed by using an umbrella and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water: A Necessity for Life

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine types of aquifers and make a model landfill. In this water usage lesson, students determine the difference between confined and unconfined aquifers. They build a model landfill, observe it for two weeks, and analyze what...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fractile vs. Equal

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students compare and contrast methods of categorizing data. In this data collection lesson, students complete worksheet activities that require them to note the differences between equal and fractile intervals. Students also discuss...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Mediterranean Lands: Greece

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the processes developed by the Ancient Greeks, particularly olives and olive oil.  In this Greek culture and inventions lesson plan, 6th graders read an article and design a flap book. Students collect the olive oil...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mesopotamia

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers map Mesopotamia. For this Geography lesson, students are introduced to Ancient Mesopotamia. Middle schoolers use an atlas to label the defining features and areas of Mesopotamia on a map.