Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Features

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students draw physical land features using ClarisWorks or Kid Pix, write their definitions, create slideshow, and create class geography book.
Lesson Plan
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Taking a Stand: Pros and Cons of Forest Fires

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students explain the components of fire, explain how forest fires impact man and the environment, analyze data in order to recognize areas that are at risk for forest fires, make recommendations based on research.
Lesson Plan
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The Power of the Plug: How Electricity Will Change Our Lives... Again

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study electricity. In this physics lesson, students review electrical energy by discussing three ways of generating it. Students explore various energy sources used for creating electricity and examine how different states...
Lesson Plan
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Life in a Hurricane Zone

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the social effects of hurricanes. In this social studies lesson, students assume the persona of residents of the Dominican Republic and write diary entries and letters regarding the devastation caused by Hurricane...
Lesson Plan
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From Bolls to Bolts

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the economic effects of the colonization of North America. In this Social Studies lesson, 5th graders examine the economic  and cultural results that occurred due to North America entering the market. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Linking Population, Health, And Environment

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students evaluate the impact of our lifestyles on the environment and identify indicators of human impact on the environment. They explore the variation in quality of life in selected countries.
Lesson Plan
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The First North Americans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers identify and interpret the different North American Indian groups, by region, and the type and impact of their interaction with Europeans. Then they complete an overview of one main Native American group during the age of...
Lesson Plan
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Floodplain Modeling

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students simulate the impact of fluctuating river volumes on structures and landforms. They experiment with table top-sized riverbed models and water. Students consider how human design can help mitigate the effects of a flood.
Lesson Plan
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Mobile Phones

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Investigate how mobile phones impact their lives through this technology lesson that has students discuss the history of the cell phone and research how cell phones are being used in third world countries. Students create a blog for new...
Lesson Plan
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The Cultural Geography of South Asia

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students gain an in-depth understanding of the issues surrounding the conflict in Kashmir. They use what they have learned to write an essay about the disputed territory of Kashmir.
Lesson Plan
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Silk Road Caravan

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Pupils determine how the geographic features of the Silk Road trade route contributed to the economic development and diffusion of culture in both Eastern and Western Civilizations.
Lesson Plan
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"Across Oregon On The 45th N Parallel" A Transect of Oregon

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the physical geography of Oregon. In groups, students collect weather and elevation information on Oregon. They organize the data and create maps and graphs of the information. Afterward, students compare the...
Lesson Plan
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In the Footsteps of West Virginia

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students prepare for a visit to the West Virginia State Museum. In this West Virginia history lesson, students research the individuals whose leadership impacted the state. Students create multimedia projects featuring the individuals...
Lesson Plan
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Living Swamps, Bayous and Forests

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore interesting environments by exploring Louisiana. In this wetland instructional activity, 3rd graders utilize the web to research the State of Louisiana, the bayous in the area, and the Gulf of Mexico. Students write...
Lesson Plan
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Westward Ho: The Difficulties of Emigrants Moving West

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners research the journey west of 19th century emigrants. In this pioneer lesson, students read the letters and diaries of a fictitious family traveling on the Oregon Trail. They mark their route on a US map, create a chart showing...
Lesson Plan
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The Changing Face Of America

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explain historical and contemporary patterns of immigration to the United States. They observe immigrant markers in the cultural landscape and identify trends in population change in the local state and community.
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"I've Been Working on the Railroad" - Federal Land Grants and the Construction of the Illinois Central Railroad in Mid-nineteenth Century Illinois

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders, in groups, design a self-sufficient community. Groups present the communities they've designed. They compare and contrast the communities presented. They research the theories of Johann Heinrich von Thunen online and...
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Mining Riches

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and map how various mining ventures have changed local geographies and populations. First they read the article provided--Examining the Environmental and Social Impact of the Mining Industry.
Lesson Plan
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The Cherokee: Trail Where They Cried

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students read the Trail of Tears about the Cherokee Nation removal and write a letter pretending they are the grandparent of a Cherokee child. In this Trail of Tears lesson plan, students understand the changing of boundaries.
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Spirit and Nature

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine sources of spirituality. In this religion activity, students investigate ties between the spiritual and natural worlds. High schoolers design community and personal projects that feature relationships to the...
Lesson Plan
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World Geography: Postcard from the Rim

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are able to identify the areas of the world that are affected by arsenic contamination of the water supply. They are able to describe the ways in which various societies deal with the problem of arsenic contamination. ...
Lesson Plan
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Environment: River of Life

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Students assess the impact of human activity on the environment. After reading the book, "A River Ran Wild," they role-play and discuss how people changed the river. Students write stories about living along a river from the point of...
Lesson Plan
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The Historical Geography of Mesopotamia

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students show how the geography of the Mesopotamia region has impacted the beginnings of civilization. They show how this area has long been the site of the rise and fall of great empires, and how the geography of this region has a lot...
Lesson Plan
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Regions of the United States

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students explore the regions of the United States. In this geography lesson, students read the text When I Was Young in the Mountains and compare the setting of the story with their geographical setting. Students use a physical map to...