Lesson Plan
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Living in the Desert

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Conduct an investigation on the plants used by the Hohokam tribe. To survive in the harsh desert environment the Hohokam used many natural resources. Learners read, research, map, and graph multiple aspects of Hohokam plant use as a...
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Our Solar System - Comparing Planetary Travel Distances

For Teachers 7th - 8th
NASA presents a mini-unit on distances in our solar system. It incorporates scientific concepts of gravity, mass, density, and payload while your aspiring astronauts also employ mathematics skills. They calculate speed, they determine...
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Exploring Our Watershed System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils examine how watershed systems are made up, and visit the Susquehanna watershed system and map out the system. They evaluate the order of watercourses in their area.
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A Thoreau Look at Our Environment

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write journal entries o school site at least once during each season, including sketched and written observations of present environment. They can use sample topographical maps and student's own maps. Students can use...
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Day 4: Plate Tectonics II

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explore the theory of plate tectonics. In this geology lesson, students conduct a simulation of the crust of the Earth floating on the mantle. Students research plate tectonics and share their findings with the class. Students...
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What's Under There?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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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Geography: Continents

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify basic geographical facts about the world they live in and distinguish between land and water on a globe. They research the continents and information associated with each one focusing on building their map skills.
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Draw A Coastline

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify, locate and draw at least ten different geographical features on a map. Using the map, they must make it to scale and include their own legend and compass rose. They share their map with the class and answer questions.
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Home on the Range

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars use maps and mathematics to determine the appropriate panther population in a given area. In this Florida ecology lesson, students research the area requirements of male and female panther and use a map to help calculate...
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Mission Planning: Geography

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the use of latitude and longitude to locate specific locations on Earth and evaluate that location as a potential landing site for researchers, terrestrial or alien space missions.
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TE Activity: Nidy-Gridy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners make a grid and coordinate system map of their classroom as they investigate why it is important to have a common map making system. They look at how landmarks are used for navigating an area.
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Locating Patterns of Volcano Distribution

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine patterns of volcanic distribution worldwide, use tables to plot and label location of each volcano on map, lightly shade areas where volcanoes are found, and complete open-ended worksheet based on their findings.
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Watershed Island

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students make a clay model and a geographic map of a watershed. They talk about the differences between the two representations and the potential human threats to watersheds.
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Continents and Oceans on the Move

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars create an awareness of the vast percentage of water covering the earth. They relate similarities/differences between topographical maps and other maps of various time periods. Students examine how to use a topographical map.
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Geological Forces and Topography

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss and research the Earth's geological processes. For this geology lesson, students study maps of Utah and the United States to learn about geological features. Students then complete the research cards for each area of...
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Climate Patterns across the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers articulate differences between climate and weather using examples in a written statement. Using climate data from across the country, they describe climate patterns for various parts of the United States on a map. Students...
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Rain Shadows and Sea Breezes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot the average rainfall for a variety of cities in the United States. Using the map, they work together to determine patterns on which toxicants are transported through the air. They determine the impacts of various weather...
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Tanker Spills

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students predict the flow of an oil spill and depict it on a map. They explain the predicted route of the oil spill using knowledge of ocean currents in a short presentation to their peers.
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The Solar System

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students describe the different bodies that make up our solar system, explain the place of our solar system within the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe, explain day and night and the Earth's movement, and describe the relationship...
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Acid Rain

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use real-time weather maps to determine the likelihood of acid rainfall in a region. Students apply their understanding of interaction between weather systems, land and air pollution, to address acid rain and the effects on...
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"Hard" Data from Space

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students use satellite images to analyze development patterns within Baltimore City. They prepare a land cover map for Baltimore indicating the prevalence of impervious surfaces and explore how these patterns affect water pollution.
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Weather Predictions

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students record weather data and create a five day forecast. Students investigate the roles of meteorologists and identify symbols used on a weather map. After gathering weather data for a week, students will create a five day forecast...
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Hurricanes and Climate

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students investigate maps and data to learn about the connections between hurricanes and climate. In this exploratory activity students describe and graph the 6 regions where hurricanes happen and discuss how hurricanes have changed over...
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PLATE MOVEMENTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars label three geological maps with continents provided to analyze the relationships between the movement of tectonic plates and the changes in the climate. In small groups, they discuss their findings and form hypotheses...