Pupils plan a driving trip using maps. Working in pairs, students receive a destination card and must create a plan for arriving at their destination using only a map. Trip plans should include, mileage, distance and time requirements...

Sixth graders discover how to turn book titles into questions in order to locate the information during their reading. Using t-charts, they list titles and subtitles with the questions they suggest. Gradually, 6th graders progress from...

Readers are first introduced to Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart by making a map of Africa. They will better understand the novel's historical and literary contexts, European and African literary traditions, and how...

Students compare recent and historic maps to explore landscape changes. Using photos provided, students identify prominent features on the maps. They discuss differences in landscape, human impact on watershed, and changes in natural...

Use a Visual Thesaurus to compose word association poems. Discuss poetry and word association, create word maps, then practice creating poems based on playful word associations. A perfect way to celebrate "Poem in Your Pocket Day" (April...

Student gains insight into the culture of Japan. They articulate the main ideas and supporting details, also they create a "glimpse of Japan" with an illustrated and written summary of the main idea and four supporting details from the...

Young geographers view an excellent description of how compasses work, then work in partners to make a compass of their own. There is a heavy religious component in this lesson plan; for example, as closure, the teacher reads a verse...

Marine science classes read about the 2005 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Expedition and review climate change. They use maps to locate the seamount chains. In collaborative groups, they research how climate change may be altering the...

Fourth graders explore family histories. In this social studies lesson plan, 4th graders identify the countries from which their ancestors came and locate them on a map. Students discuss the role that Ellis Island played in immigration...

Students identify countries of origin of their ancestors, graph patterns of migration to the U.S. and Hawaii, then utilize oral history as a primary document by interviewing their ancestors or parents to explain why they moved to their...

Learners describe the physical attributes of the East Pacific Rise. After locating the region on a map, students work in groups do define each layer of the structure in order to begin their build. Learners build their model according to...

Students locate and use internet maps to trace a route from their home to school. They calculate the distance of the route using the map legend then determine the distance they travel to school and back in a regular school week and over...

Students become explorers. They examine a picture of an explorer and create props to explore within the classroom. Students are studying the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. They explore how to read a map and create a map of the classroom...

Writers explore vocabulary and expressions used in the English language. They use visual word maps to become aware of the different uses of words which will allow them to more readily interpret texts. Then they listen to/read excerpts...

Equip young campers with important survival knowledge with a set of engaging lessons. Teammates work together to complete three outdoor activities, which include building a shelter, starting a campfire, and finding directions in the...

Students define a weather forecast, make a forecast using a weather map, identify three prediction guidelines, and explain how computers help to make forecasts. Students make a 24-hour forecast for each of the thirteen states targeted.

Young animal lovers engage in a lesson that's all about elephants. They access an elephant sanctuary website and read a story about Shirley the elephant. They perform a series of activities based upon that story, and also study about the...

Practice pronouncing and spelling words with the /e/ sound with spellers. They blend phonemes with spelling maps to master important representation and letter symbol of the short vowel /e/. They also make sock puppets and study the...

How to oceanographers measure the sea's depth? Your scientists will step into their shoes in this application worksheet, first reading about how the speed of sound and a simple formula give scientists a depth estimation. Students...

Most people couldn't name the positive qualities of bats. Learners discover how bats benefit the environment and then create a concept map to summarize the information. After their reading, they identify misconceptions people have about...

A search can be strengthened by unique terms. With the activities and presentation included here, show your class how to target their searches with unique terms and context terms. They can then practice their search skills with...

Students investigate historical figures and how they play a role in tourism by reading and discussing the article "When Robin Hood Supped, Was it Yorkshire Pudding?" In groups, students investigate issues related in the article in...

Easily broken into pieces for several class sessions, this presentation is a great way to transition your class out of a Civil War unit and closer to the 20th century. Engaging photographs, including relevant maps and humorous political...

Class members continue examining how writers develop and support their ideas by comparing two texts about globalization. Alongside chapters from Sugar Changed the World, young scholars read an article by the World Bank entitled...