Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale/Ratio

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Investigate the use of ratios in scale drawings. Learners scale objects up or down using ratios then find the actual size of something using ratios. They apply their knowledge of ratios as they make their own telescopes in science...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Perceptions of China

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils discuss what types of things are included on a map. They compare and contrast maps of China with a map they create and practice using different types of maps. They write analysis of their classmates maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploration of Scale Models

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students consider the concept of scale models. In this scale lesson, students compare the sizes of various every day toys to the sizes of the larger objects they represent.
Activity
101 Questions

A Cyclist's Marriage Proposal

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
One cyclist goes to great lengths to make his proposal! Your classes must figure out just what length that is. Using a map with a bike route that spells out Marry Me, learners calculate the total distance of the ride. They base their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topo Map Mania!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and use topographical maps. They also use a compass to find bearing to an object on a map and in the classroom. Ask your students how they might travel to somewhere they have never been to befo
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the Canyon

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast topographic maps and bathymetric maps. They investigate how bathymetric maps are made and how to interpret one.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Footprints: Take a Step into Estimation

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Compare sizes of student footprints with those of elephants and sauropod dinosaurs! Upper graders make estimations of the areas of irregular shapes; students use grids to make and explain estimates within low and high ranges.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 3: On the Road with Marco Polo: From Hormuz to Kashgar

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young explorers examine the route that Marco Polo and his father traveled to reach China. They examine online maps of the Silk Road and harsh terrain of Afghanistan to determine challenges that may have been encountered during travel.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Puerto Rico

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students use maps to discover where Puerto Rico is located. In groups, they use the internet to research the vegetation. They also compare and contrast the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico's government.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introducing Topographic Maps: Guiding Students from Concrete Models to Graphic Representations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students interpret topographic maps and infer human activity as it is influenced by the landscape.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction To Topographic Map Activities

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students discuss different types of maps, their similarities and differences. Using a Topographical Maps CD-rom program students create their own map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rivers, Maps, and Math

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use maps to locate and label the major rivers of North and South America. Using the internet, they identify forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and other landforms on the continents as well. They compare and contrast the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding Your Way Using Maps and Globes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify the similarities and differences between different maps and globes. Individually, they create a map of their classroom along with a compass rose. They also practice reading maps as a class and finding specific locations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Distances

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students practice estimating distances by analyzing a map. In this length measurement lesson, students view a map with a distance key and use their measurement skills to estimate the distance between two cities. Students utilize an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Scale Model

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a model of the solar system. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders create a scale model of the solar system. Working in pairs students solve mathematical problems to correctly measure the distance each planet is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students apply concepts of scales to solve problems. In this geometry lesson plan, students solve real world problems using scales, proportions and ratios. They predict the actual size of a model given the scale drawings.
Unit Plan
Association of American Geographers

Project GeoSTART

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Investigate the fascinating, yet terrifying phenomenon of hurricanes from the safety of your classroom using this earth science unit. Focusing on developing young scientists' spacial thinking skills, these lessons engage...
Lesson Plan
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NOAA

Sediments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Calcareous ooze ... what an interesting name! The 15th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program focuses on sediments found on the ocean floor. After viewing the slideshow lecture,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flat Earth Society

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore map distortion. In this geography lesson, students compare Mercator projection maps to globes in order to understand the strengths and weaknesses of projection maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Math with Maps and Globes

For Teachers K - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measure Up!

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine parallax and angular measurements.  In this investigative lesson students calculate distances of objects and map their results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking Inside Cells

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders analyze and identify the role of the cell membrane and nucleus. They create flash cards to help them review cell structures. They also compare plant and animal cells.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Now and Then" Comparing Present Day with Medieval Times

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare a present-day social issue with a medieval issue. They use technology tools to conduct their research and demonstrate their new knowledge. Students present their findings to the class in the form of a PowerPoint.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trends of Snow Cover and Temperature in Alaska

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students gather historical snow cover and temperature data from the MY NASA DATA Web site. They compare this data to data gathered using ground measurements from the ALISON Web site for Shageluk Lake. They graph both sets of data and...