Curated OER
Message in a Bottle
Sixth graders write a short story about being stranded on a deserted island. After a brief geography review of locations at various latitudes and longitudes, 6th graders draft their story about being stranded. They use sensory and...
Curated OER
TE Activity: The Trouble with Topos
Learners study the uses of topographical maps including the many forms that they take. They discover that the map features show its intended use such as city maps, wilderness maps, and state maps. They complete a worksheet in which they...
Curated OER
Showing Your Community to the World
Middle schoolers investigate the environmental and human implications to local communities of hosting a major exposition or fair in their region. They study current site conditions and develop a comprehensive plan.
Curated OER
A View from Overhead
Students explore the concept of mapping. Using given illustrations, students observe views of a park from above the ground. They compare and contrast the different views. Students discuss uses for maps. Using a resource from the...
Curated OER
Cotton Journey
Students use "Cotton Journey-A Field Trip In A Box" kit to relate the significance of cotton to the Civil War period and to study the cotton industry in general.
Curated OER
Mesoamerica
Young scholars demonstrate knowledge of early Middle American civilizations. They study Mesoamerican i religions, governments, and achievements. They identify geographies of North and South America.
Curated OER
"Eggs-treme" Egg Hunt
Pupils practice reading a map of the classroom or playground. They hide plastic eggs and draw a map identifying the location of two eggs hidden in the classroom or on the playground.
Curated OER
Let's Play Geography Twister
Pupils practice geography skills by playing a game based on Twister. Students manipulate their position on a map by placing their arms and legs on the appropriate state or country called out by the teacher.
Curated OER
Human Migration in the United States
Students investigate the factors involved in human migration in the United States. Students analyze maps of different regions in the United States to determine how a variety of factors influence human settlement and development.
Curated OER
Topography: Know the topography of your neighborhood
Middle schoolers read and identify features on a topography map. For this topography lesson plan, students learn how to read a topography map, and then go out and take pictures of their own and discuss the topography pictures they took.
Curated OER
Prairie Voices: Community Development, Investigating Local History
Learners investigate local history. In this research skills lesson, students examine historic landmarks, tax records, fire maps, town plans, historic photographs, newspapers, and other primary sources to learn about local communities in...
Curated OER
"Place the State" Game
Pupils participate in a computer game in which they locate and place the U.S. states on a blank outline map. In small groups, they take turns dragging and dropping the states in the proper location on a map.
Curated OER
Europe
Students examine the reasons how and why the European Union was formed. They locate Europe on a map and identify the countries in the European Union. They create a tourist brochure for one of the countries.
Curated OER
Going to the Promised Land (Dust Bowl Migration)
Students examine Dust Bowl migration. In this Great Depression lesson, students research primary sources regarding migration issues in the United States during the Great Depression. Students discuss their research findings and impressions.
Curated OER
Where is the Water?
Students explore freshwater ecosystems. In this geography lesson, students brainstorm all the lakes and rivers they know then mark them on a map. Students will then mark all the major freshwater resources on each of the seven continents,...
Curated OER
Cities as Transportation Centers
Students work in small groups to identify some of the major transportation centers, recommending two as possible sites for a national political convention, based on population density and the travel networks available in 1835.
Curated OER
New York Times
Young scholars explore current events. In this cross-curriculum lesson, students read and answer questions about the various articles included in the magazine.
Curated OER
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Students study westward expansion. In this US history lesson, students describe the adventures and hardships faced by the explorers known as Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Students write a report to the President about the...
Curated OER
The Geography of Tornadoes OR
Students learn some basic facts about tornadoes and map two selected tornado statistics by state, and observe, analyze and speculate about the pattern(s) created by the completed map.
Curated OER
Mexican and American Views of Texas
Students study the territorial status of Texas in 1830, 1840, and 1846 and interpret an historical timeline. They develop a general statement of Mexican and American views of Texas.
Curated OER
Encounters – Native Americans and Euro Americans (1850-1870)
Students consider the plight of Native Americans. In this Oregon history lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding land conflicts between the whites and Native Americans. Students discuss resettlement and...
Curated OER
US Emergence of Power in the Pacific Northwest: General Howard and the Nez Perce Tribe War
Pupils discuss the role of the military in acquiring territory in the Pacific Northwest. Using a map, they locate the areas in which the Nez Perce were prominent and the routes used by the military to chase them. They discuss whether...
Curated OER
Introduction to the World Globe
Learners examine a globe and the world map to see what constitutes the differences. In this world map introductory lesson plan, students discuss what they see when they view the globe. Learners then, look at a world map and compare the...
Curated OER
Native American Culture
Students research Native American culture. In this Native Americans lesson, students read the folk tale, The Strongest One and identify the natural resources in the poem. Students participate in a discussion of how Native Americans got...