Curated OER
From Sea to Shining Sea
Students study the geography of the United States of America. Students write letters, create travel brochures, make maps, graph population numbers, read fiction and nonfiction selections, complete KWL charts, and watch films.
Curated OER
Trading Information
Students create a trading card about a state bordering the Mississippi River. Using traditional and internet research, students generate a list of interesting facts about their chosen state using the five themes of geography. They use...
Curated OER
Canada
High schoolers examine a variety of issues that affect the geography of Canada. In small groups they read a magazine article about a specific issue related to Canadian geography, answer discussion questions, and present a summary of...
Curated OER
The European Union
Students complete an in-depth exploration of the European Union using the five themes of geography as a guide. In small groups, students use traditional and technological resources to answer questions about the European Union, with each...
Curated OER
Egg Hunt Lesson
Fourth graders explore religious holidays by participating in an egg hunt. In this Easter lesson, 4th graders review the different U.S. states and capitols before completing a geography egg hunt activity. Students read geographic clues...
Curated OER
Immigration: Marijana's Story
Second graders explore world geography by researching U.S. history. In this immigration lesson plan, 2nd graders read the book Marijana's Story and discuss the main character, her goals, and the plot. Students complete a worksheet about...
Curated OER
Middle East Related
Eighth graders find a current event related to the Middle East. In this current event instructional activity students write a brief summary of a new story related to the Middle East. They give their opinion and tell how it affects their...
Curated OER
Treasure Hunt - Geography and Cultural Diversity along the Journey to the West
Students work in groups and use treasure cards and maps to go on a treasure hunt to several regions in China. They prepare a presentation on the geography and culture of the area that they are assigned to.
Curated OER
Second Star To the Left and Straight On 'Till Morning" - Spreadsheet Driven Exploration of Pacific Asian Geography
Students explore the geography of Pacific Asia. The class is divided into two groups to participate in a role-play activity where they act as European explorers. Students utilize mathematics, spreadsheet and internet technology to make...
Curated OER
Teaching the Five Themes of Geography Through Picture Books
Read the story Make Way for Ducklings and introduce little ones to the five themes of geography. Reread the story, while displaying transparencies to reinforce the five themes. In groups, learners view pictures and identify the themes on...
Curated OER
Geography of Japan
Students complete a worksheet that guides them through an overview of Japanese geography. Students research the topography, climate, population and size of Japan and consider how these factors work together to produce Japanese culture.
Curated OER
Ancient Egypt: Connecting Literature and Geography
Young scholars brainstorm prior knowledge of Ancient Egypt, locate Egypt on map of Africa and on world map, watch King Tut film, discuss term biography, and map geographical information mentioned in stories and documentaries about...
NOAA
A Watery World
With about 70% of the earth's surface covered in oceans, it's fair to say that we live in a very wet world. Young scientists gain a better appreciation of this fact as they use maps to identify the world's ocean basins in the first...
Latin America Network Information Center
Urbanization
Brazil's population has been changing dramatically in the last century. Study the causes of Brazilian urbanization, including industrialization and and migration, and the implications for the country of the populations'...
Geophysical Institute
Latitude and Longitude with Google Earth
Travel the world from the comfort of your classroom with a lesson that features Google Earth. High schoolers follow a series of steps to locate places all over the earth with sets of coordinates. Additionally, they measure the distance...
Space Awareness
Navigation in the Ancient Mediterranean and Beyond
Ancient texts, like Homer's Odyssey, mentions navigating ships by observing constellations. Pupils learn about the link between history and astronomy as they relate to navigation in the Bronze Age. Scholars complete two hands-on...
Space Awareness
The Sun Compass of the Vikings
Evidence shows the Vikings likely navigated by using a simple sundial to find their course. Videos, a short story, and discussion help bring this time period to life as they study European history with a hands-on experiment. Scholars...
NOAA
Into the Deep
Take young scientists into the depths of the world's ocean with the second instructional activity of this three-part earth science series. After first drawing pictures representing how they imagine the bottom of the ocean to appear,...
Curated OER
African Safari
Seventh graders examine different countries in Africa to research. They choose one to concentrate their research on using the five themes of geography. They design a multimedia presentation that will make up the African safari.
Curated OER
Confucius Say... China Old
Students locate China on the map. In this Chinese geography, history and culture lesson, students read literature about China. Students participate in paper making, silk making and lantern making activities.
Curated OER
Let Me Tell You About My State
Fifth graders research one of the 50 U.S. States that they were unfamiliar with. In this U.S. Geography instructional activity, 5th graders utilize encyclopedias as well as the Internet to research a chosen U.S. State in order to write...
Curated OER
Jobs and Places
Students explore where jobs can be done. In this geography and careers lesson, the teacher presents the idea that some jobs are location specific while other are not, then students consider a list of jobs and determine where each would...
Curated OER
Walking with the Emperors: Exploring Imperial Rome
Students travel Rome. In this geography skills lesson, students explore famous places in Rome with Google Earth tools. Students research the city of Rome and create touring videos that feature their findings.
Curated OER
Molas from South America
Third graders research world geography by creating a class presentation. In this South American lesson, 3rd graders read assigned text regarding the customs and traditions of different Indian communities in South America. Students...