Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Australian Aboriginal Art and Storytelling

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Young explorers investigate Australian Aboriginal culture by listening to traditional Dreamtime stories and examining dot paintings created by Aboriginal artists. In addition, they locate the country on maps, discuss the geography of...
Lesson Plan
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Diseases

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
During a cholera outbreak, scientists presented two theories; one theory was based on miasma and the other on germs and contaminated water. The lesson plan looks at the scientific process for finding the real culprit. 
Lesson Plan3:16
The New York Times

Kiev in Chaos: Teaching About the Crisis in Ukraine

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Provide a historical context for the political unrest between Russia and Ukraine that began in late 2013. Learners review their prior knowledge and chronicle new understandings with a KWL chart, watch a video explaining the Ukrainian...
Lesson Plan
Polar Bears International

Top of the World

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learn about polar bears and the Arctic circle with a activity about the countries and conditions of the region. After examining how the area differs from Antarctica, kids explore climates, animals, and geographical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race and Ethnicity in the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore race and ethnicity as it is defined by the U. S. Census Bureau. They compare data from 1900, 1950, and 2000 and identify settlement patterns and changes in population. In groups, they map these changes and discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow Your Dreams: Career Goals

For Teachers 11th - 12th
It is so important for impending high school graduates to start thinking about their potential careers. Here, they discuss the persistence of Blondie Hasler and his impressive transatlantic trip. They follow various routes on a map and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trade in Precontact Alaska

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the geography of Alaska and its effect on trade. In this ancient Alaska instructional activity, students participate in a simulation that requires them to trade with those in the territory and outside of it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Big Circle

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore geography by participating in a mapping activity. In this concentric ring lesson, students utilize a poster board, string and markers to identify their current location within the entire world. Students write about their...
Unit Plan
Project Food, Land & People

Loco for Cocoa

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a time line and map about how chocolate traveled the world. In this chocolate lesson plan, students also create and taste chocolate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roman Empire: Physical Framework - Location, Borders, Dimensions

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students relate the classical world to the modern world. In this map skills lesson, students turn a blank map into a colorful complete map by following step-by-step directions. This lesson allows students to connect our current geography...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Country Capitals

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students locate country capitals on a world map. In this map skills instructional activity, students review the definition of the word country and discuss what a capital is. Students locate and label capital cities on a world map using a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nina Bonita: Culture and Beauty

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students read Nina Bonita by Ana Maria Machado. In this reading comprehension/ geography lesson, students recall various parts of the story and create a map of where the rabbit traveled throughout the story. They participate in group...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Second Star To the Left and Straight On 'Till Morning" - Spreadsheet Driven Exploration of Pacific Asian Geography

For Teachers 6th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cities of the World

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify the symbol for cities on a political map. In this world map lesson, students identify specific cities on the World Political Map. Students should identify the country in which the city is located. Students discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

COLONIAL FLYERS/TRAVEL BROCHURES TO THE COLONIES

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate concepts of history and geography in this lesson. They create travel brochures for travelers who are crossing the Atlantic Ocean to populate the colonies of early America. The brochure has topographical information...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Natural Connection to the Azores

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students use primary sources to examine whaling voyages, biology, and geography. In this geography lesson, students analyze ship logs and plot locations of animals and determine routes using latitude and longitude.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The European Union

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Africa

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to Africa. The purpose of this lesson is to find out what students all ready know about the continent of Africa, and what students are interested in learning more about. They focus on the physical features of Africa.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Families and Neighborhoods

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students distinguish where their homes are in relation to the city of Pittsburgh. In this geography lesson, students read the book All Families Are Specialand find their city on a map of Pennsylvania. Students locate Pittsburgh...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Features

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students identify natural features on a map. In this map skill lesson, students use a landscape picture map to identify mountains, hills, islands, lakes, and rivers. Students use post-it notes to demonstrate their location.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Symbols

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students study the concept of picture symbols as a way to express ideas without using words. In this picture symbol instructional activity, students place symbols on a U.S. map according to meaning.  Students then review various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Africa

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students identify the location of parallel and meridian coordinates. They illustrate their understanding of the physical shape of the continent of Africa through a mapping activity, then explain the processes that have influenced the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Globe

For Teachers K - 4th
Students investigate how to use a globe. In this map skills instructional activity, students define what a globe is and locate the various continents on the globe. Students are also asked to locate the four oceans on the globe.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the World Is…

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students identify countries, oceans, states, and more on a globe and on a flat map. In this geography lesson plan, students also locate places around their school.