Curated OER
Rivers, Maps, and Math
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...
Curated OER
Traveling Through North America
Students identify places and landmarks in North America, specifically Canada and the United States, by using and constructing maps. Six lessons on one page; includes test.
Curated OER
The Ocean Floor - Science
Students draw a quick plan of an ocean floor as seen from the side; including the edge of a continent, a continental shelf, a continental slope, a basin, a trench, and a range. They require their definitions to do this.
Curated OER
Let's Play Geography Twister
Students 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
I'm Not In Range
Learners discover how cell phone service works while participating in a role play activity. They identify its advantages and disadvantages based on service. They examine how engineers use this information to develop better...
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Striking Zone
Learners review the states and their capitols. On the teachers signal, each student use their hand or a paddle to strike the ball in different ways towards the wall. When the ball hits a state, students recite the capitol of that state.
Curated OER
Africa: Political Map
Young scholars create a political map for Africa. In this country identification lesson plan, students locate Africa on a globe and discuss some of its major countries and bodies of water. Young scholars complete a political...
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Country Project
Students research any part of the United States that they want to know more about. This may include the culture, food or people. They have to present their information to the class, display a visual aid and write a paper on the...
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Lesson Design Archaeology- World Map
Students practice locating positions on the world map. In this map skills lesson, students explore the world map and items such as the compass rose, Equator, mountains, cities, etc. The students practice locating positions on the world...
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Australia: Introductory Lesson
Students explore Australia. For this global studies lesson, students listen to audio clips and watch video clips that introduce them to the the nation-continent. Students discuss what they already know about Australia and what they would...
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What's Under There?
Students determine ways to make "observations" about unknowns, such as the land beneath an ice sheet or the interior of the Earth, using tools other than sight. They build "mystery boxes" and exchange them with other groups to "map"...
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The Earth is an Orange
Students examine and identify the various types of maps. Using two types of maps, they compare the data that can be gathered from each one. They also identify and locate the continents and the oceans. They review the purposes of each...
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Earth History Part II
Eighth graders hypothesize what caused the break up of continents. In this earth science lesson plan, 8th graders study about the events that took place during Mesozoic and Cenozoic Era. They reconstruct a supercontinent and report their...
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REFERENCE AND RESEARCH SKILLS
Students examine useful sources of reference materials and highlight vital research skills.Students, in groups, should be encouraged to read as widely as possible to avoid being over-reliant on a narrow range of resources.
California Academy of Science
Plants: Hanging Tough
Learning about the rainforest can be more fun than you think. The class discusses vocabulary-in-context as they cut cardboard boxes, destined to become part of a rainforest model. Small groups of children color, cut, and construct...
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Story Stretching: Tall Tales in North America
Students are introduced to tall tales. In this introductory tall tales unit, students explore the tall tales of Casey Jones and Johnny Appleseed. This unit includes many interdisciplinary lessons including graphing skills and geography.
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Plate Tectonics
Curious kids examine plate tectonics and give examples of their movement. They recognize how plates change the Earth through video, and web-based articles. In small groups, they receive complete a tectonics puzzle by silently switching...
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Symbolic Family Flags
After learning a bit about symbolism and view the Australian flag, learners make one of their own. They discuss how flags and art can symbolically express ideas or feelings, design three symbols, and construct a flag that represents...
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Maps and Globes: Where in the World are We?
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...
Curated OER
The Ocean: A Watery World
Students discuss the proper clothing for the season. They make wind chimes to use as an indicator of movement of the air and observe and identify the various cloud formations. They determine the basic rules of storm safety and discuss...
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Water Uses and Children's Lives in East Africa
Students explore water usage around the world. In this "water" social studies lesson, students brainstorm ways in which water is used. Students visit the Water in Africa website to view pictures of water usage in...
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Family Traditions, Customs and Beliefs
Students discuss African childhood, explore family traditions, customs, and beliefs, examine African recipes, discuss differences or similarities in food preparation between the U.S. and Africa, and prepare a dish with adult supervision.
Curated OER
the Richness of Rattles: a Lesson in Making And Decorating Clay Rattles
Students study the history behind clay rattles. They form and create a clay rattle using ceramic sculptural techniques and important composition and design elements.
Curated OER
Mexico: One Land, Many Cultures
Students research and study the country of Mexico and complete a project about it. In this Mexico lesson plan, students research Mexico's geography, traditions, art, songs, stories, and legends that are native to Mexico.