Curated OER
What's In a Name?
Students examine the origins of the names of U.S. states, focusing on names that were derived from Native American words. They are provided with lists of the names of the 50 states, and then research online or in library resources the...
US Mint
Rename That State!
As Shakespeare famously wrote, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," but can the same be said for a state? For this elementary geography lesson, learners are assigned specific states to research using the information...
Curated OER
Blank Map: The United States of America
In this map worksheet, students use the blank outline map of the United States to label the 50 states or for any other study purpose. Each state boundary is shown with no name labels.
Curated OER
Simple Symbols
Have your class learn about Texas and the uses of a glyph. After listening to stories about Texas, they identify state symbols and engage in a glyph activity.
Advocates for Human Rights
Who are Immigrants?
What do Jerry Yang, Patrick Ewing, John Muir, Charlize Theron, Peter Jennings, and Saint Frances X Cabrini all have in common? They are all immigrants to the United States. Famous and not-so-famous immigrants are the focus of a resource...
Curated OER
Salmon Stories
Work on author's purpose with this instructional activity, which focuses on sequence of events and audience as well. Middle and high schoolers describe the 50 State Quarters Program for background information. After discussing the...
Curated OER
States and Capitals, Mountains and Rivers
Students identify geographical locations in the midwestern United States. In this geography lesson plan, students identify 12 states and capitals and geographical features in the region by using U.S. maps. Students use blank maps to fill...
Curated OER
Making Cents of Independence
Have your class explore the history of Texas using this comprehensive lesson! They read about Texas' march toward statehood, the Alamo, and more. There is a series of worksheets, graphic organizers, and a rubric which make this activity...
Curated OER
Map Directions and the United States
Third graders search TDC database for images of a compass rose, a miles marker, and a US map. They identify cardinal and intermediate directions to help identify their state and other states on a US map.
Curated OER
The Nifty Fifty- Facts and Figures
Students explore an assigned state. In this United States geography instructional activity, students identify facts and figures related to a particular state. Students use the Internet for research and create a PowerPoint presentation...
Curated OER
Will There Be a White Christmas This Year?
Students examine historical weather data, and create map and color key that illustrates the likelihood of a white Christmas in different locations across the United States.
Curated OER
Exploring our National Parks
Students utilize maps/Atlases to find key spatial information, locate U.S. National Parks, characterize the geography of a specific region, and create a National Park brochure.
Curated OER
The Natural State
Following an examination of the Arkansas state quarter, your class will discuss the state's nickname: "The Natural State." They will focus on its abundance of natural resources. Printables for the activities are included.
Curated OER
Basic U.S. Geography
Provide your 11th graders with a basic understanding of U.S. Geography. They label the state, regions, and boundaries found in the contiguous U.S. as well as Hawaii and Alaska. Then, they complete two Internet related activities.
Curated OER
Naming the States of the U.S
Fifth graders study the 50 states on a map. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders identify the names of the states and location. Additionally, students work in small groups to name and locate as many states as they can on a blank...
Museum of Tolerance
Where Do Our Families Come From?
After a grand conversation about immigration to the United States, scholars interview a family member to learn about their journey to America. They then take their new-found knowledge and apply their findings to tracking their family...
Curated OER
Past and Present
Providing an interesting way to discuss the U.S. presidency, this lesson has learners compare George Washington to the current president. They listen to books about George Washington, discuss the current president, and complete worksheets.
Curated OER
Come Visit My State!
Fourth graders conduct research on a selected state in the United States. They complete a WebQuest and conduct research on a variety of websites. Students then organize and present a visual display about their state that includes a...
Curated OER
Research a State in the United States
Students research one state of the United States of their choice. Using the internet, they gather as much information about the state as possible along with appropriate images. They present their findings to the class in the form of a...
Curated OER
Our Fifty States
Seventh graders identify and locate all fifty states in the United States and their capitals. Individually, they research one state identifying when it became a state, its motto, song, flower and nicknames. To end the lesson, they are...
Curated OER
Follow the Light
Here is another in the interesting series of lessons that use the special State Quarters as a learning tool. During this lesson, pupils learn about lighthouses, maps, the cardinal directions on a compass, and U.S. geography. There are...
Curated OER
Run/Walk Across America
Walk, jog, or run across America. Maps of individual states, visual progress, competition, and rewards, seem to be great motivational ideas. Make sure that the distances that each class has to walk or run are the same, because getting...
Curated OER
States And Shapes
Learners work together and investigate the shapes of 50 states. They identify the states that they find hardest to recognize. The group then list the states in order from most difficult to just difficult to recognize and create a...
Curated OER
Postmark U.S.A.
Young scholars identify and collect postmarks from across the United States. They develop a list of ways to collect postmarks, display the postmarks on a large U.S. map, and find the exact location using MapQuest.