Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California's Golden History: 1848-1880

For Teachers 11th
Using a variety of online resources, learners study life and society in California during the gold rush. They use a map to identify area where gold was located, explore pre-selected websites, describe mining practices, and create an...
Activity
Fremont Unified School District

4th Grade California Relief Map Project

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Bring life to your next California geography lesson with this great project! Learners design a three-dimensional wall relief map of California, painting and decorating regions using a variety of materials and labeling major geographical...
Lesson Plan
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Channel Islands Film

Once Upon a Time (Saxipak’a): Lesson Plan 4

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
How did the environment and natural resources found on the Channel islands influence the culture of the Chumash? Archaeology meets technology in an activity designed for middle schoolers. After viewing West of The West's documentary Once...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Fourth Grade Social Studies

For Teachers 4th
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions on state maps, city maps, road maps, political maps, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.
Unit Plan
California Polytechnic State University

Australian Geography Unit

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
At the heart of this resource is a beautifully detailed PowerPoint presentation (provided in PDF form) on the overall physical geography of Australia, basic facts about the country, Aboriginal history, and Australia culture and lifestyle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Features - Lesson 2 - U.S. Political Map Grade 4-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students locate water features on maps. In this geography lesson, students complete worksheets that require them to identify water features on a U. S. political map.
Lesson Plan
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Channel Islands Film

Arlington Springs Man: Lesson Plan 4

For Teachers 5th - 12th Standards
West of the West's documentary Arlington Springs Man introduces viewers to the remarkable finds on Santa Rosa Island. Archaeologist have discovered on this small island that is part of the Channel island chain, human and pygmy mammoth...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Lesson 4 - Intermediate Directions

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the concept of intermediate directions. For this geography skills lesson, students use map skills in order to identify intermediate directions as they complete a map activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Geography: The Midwest

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners research agricultural products of the Midwest. For this Midwest lesson, students watch a video about the geography of the Midwest, discuss how topographical features were formed and review the agricultural products the Midwest...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Maps and Globes: Where in the World are We?

For Teachers K
Students explore maps and globes. In this introduction to map and globe concepts lesson, students identify features of physical maps, political maps, and globes. Students locate land and water, and recite a poem about the names of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 50 States and its Holidays

For Teachers Pre-K - Higher Ed
Though the format of this ELL lesson is confusing (the standards listed are for plate tectonics, yet the objectives are for American geography and holidays), a teacher could glean some ideas from the main idea. Here, pupils complete a...
Unit Plan
Cassandra Reigel Whetstone

Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows

For Teachers K - 3rd
Pair your reading of Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows with the questions and activities provided here. Learners answer questions about the text, create story maps, put together brochures, relate math to the story, practice...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

From Sea to Shining Sea

For Teachers 5th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Invasion of the Medfly

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils examine the invasion of the fruit fly in California. In groups, they observe and record the fruit fly's lifecycle and how they affect humans in society. They also discuss the history and geography of the fly and the different...
Unit Plan
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Curated OER

Volcanoes: First Grade Lesson Plans and Activities

For Teachers 1st Standards
Introduce young geologists to types of volcanoes during the pre-lab. First graders explore how different liquids flow with an experiment on viscosity to simulate how different types of lava flow. Next, they learn...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traveling Through Literature

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Integrate geography with literature in this interdisciplinary lesson. Begin by reading a poem such as The Time We Climbed Snake Mountain by Leslie Marmon Silko. On a large map, place push pins in the cities or states mentioned. An...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Postcards from California: A Unit on Geography, Social Studies, History and California's Resources

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine patterns that influence population density in the various regions of California. The unit's three lessons utilize graphic organizers for the interpretation and presentation of data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Mission Slide Show

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The New Californians

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the groups of immigrants who came to California. They trace the route they possibly took to American on a world map. They discuss the reasons why they left their homeland and what challenges they faced once they arrived.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the World Is Mexico?

For Teachers K - 5th
Students practice map-reading skills as they locate Mexico and its cities on a world map. By creating a puzzle out of a map of Mexico, students engage in a meaningful hands-on activity to help them explore that country's geography.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 11The Vietnam War

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students develop their globe and map skills, In this geography lesson, students examine the Vietnam War as they complete an activity that requires them to plot latitude and longitude.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regional Landforms and Native People

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study the Native American tribes of Maidu and Miwok by studying Internet artifacts, culture, language, music, storytelling, architecture, food, clothing, crafts and geology.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Environments of Big Sur:Which Do We Protect?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the California environments. In this environmental lesson, students examine the various ecosystems of California, creating a presentation on how these environments impact Big Sur. They write a paper defending their point...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Life Mural

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
How many oceans can you name? First, have learners try to name as many oceans as they can, and then have them locate and identify the oceans on a world map. They create a recognizable ocean animal using poster board and tissue paper....