Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scaling it Down: Caves Have Maps, Too

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Measurement and map skills are the focus of this lesson, where students crawl through a "cave" made out of boxes, desks and chairs, observing the dimensions.  Your young geographers measure various aspects of the cave and practice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Exercise

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this mapping worksheet, students are given data of children exposed to health risks and their geographical location. Students plot each child's home and the risk factors using an (x, y) grid. They answer 2 questions about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topo Map Mania!

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders describe the major features of maps and compasses. They read a topographical map. They take a bearing using a compass. They practice using scales on a map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Hudson in 1609

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
While this instructional activity focuses on a study of the Hudson River, it could be used as a template for a discussion of map skills, converting measurements, and plotting a route. The instructional activity includes vocabulary and...
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

The Monsoon

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Few things are as fascinating as the challenge of climbing Mount Everest. This lesson investigates how monsoon weather impacts climbers. To begin, you are instructed to show various video clips. The only one directly provided, however,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map your Schoolyard

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students practice their mapping skills by creating an accurate map of their schoolyard using an aerial photo from the National Map web site. Students include legends, a scale, and a north arrow on their maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geologic Mapping I

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students create a geologic map and cross-section of an area of horizontal sedimentary rocks, exposed in several locations. Map must include a complete key or legend with rock descriptions of the various formations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Golden Opportunity for Science

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students participate in a varity of activities surrounding "gold." They explore the science, myths, and legends about gold and conduct a debate over the environmental problems created by gold mining in a small small mining town.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages.  In this geography activity, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited.  Students create an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Personal Maps

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students study maps and become familiar with how to use one.  In this investigative lesson students create a map of an area and provide a legend. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legend of the Poinsettia

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students explore the poinsettia and its symbolism as a Christmas flower. Students will listen to a story about the poinsettia and its origins in Mexico and discuss what they know about Mexico. They will discuss the poinsettia's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Field Mapping in 3D

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars create a 3D vector field map of an electric field. In this physics lesson, students measure the voltage inside an aquarium with water. They present their findings and map to class..
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design an Island

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore islands. They create a two- or three-dimensional map of an island. They explain how the topography of an area influences the location of water sources, ecosystems, and human settlements. Lesson includes adaptations for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring an Atlas

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore global geography by participating in an atlas activity. In this countries of the world instructional activity, students collaborate in small groups and analyze an atlas while researching continents, countries and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cartography

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students follow directions to draw a map of an island. They complete the island map adding their own details using symbols and a legend.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World Climate Growing Zones

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create a map showing where crops would be grown around the world. In this crops lesson plan, students show how the world climate would produce different parts of the world at different times. Students fill out worksheets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GIS: Mapping Watersheds of the Edwards Aquifer in Travis County

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers manipulate existing GIS data to create and map a new layer of information that shows that watersheds in Travis County that are on top of Edwards Aquifer. They create and map that shows the watersheds in Travis County that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where are the Watersheds in San Francisco?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students create a mental map of San Francisco. They compare it with actual topographical maps of the city. Then they label various locations on the San Francisco Hillshade map and locate watershed boundaries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Park Brochures

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate natural environments by researching national parks. In this brochure making lesson, 6th graders explore a specific national park and research it's information by utilizing the web. Students create travel...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Are the Aliens in Our Inland Seas?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work in teams to research specific landforms in Great Lakes Watershed, compile information into data table, and write legend explaining landform for children's book. Students then research area surrounding landform, compile...
Organizer
Curated OER

Hurricane Frequency: Identifying Regions with Similar Numbers of Hurricanes

For Students 7th - 9th
In this earth science learning exercise, students answer 6 questions about the hurricane map and data provided. They create a data table based on the information provided on the map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alaska Virtual Field Trip

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students participate in an on-line virtual field trip to the state of Alaska. For this U.S. Geography lesson, students research several Internet sites dealing with travel to Alaska and activities to participate in. Students create story...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Your Address in the Galaxy

For Teachers K - 8th
Students create a business card after researching their location in space and determining their Galactic Address.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Pictures

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate constellations. In this space science lesson plan, students view transparencies of constellations and identify the zodiac constellations. Students research the legends connected with the constellations.