Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Colonial New England: Looking at the Landscape of New England

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers understand the similarities and differences between English and Native American conceptions of the land and town settlement. They understand how the colony of Massachusetts developed and expanded. Students understand the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Map

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students access prior knowledge and locate the North and South Poles on the map. In this mapping instructional activity, students understand the position of the United States relative to the poles. Students answer questions about the globe.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the New World Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students compare two maps of the same area from different time periods. In this American History lesson, students look at two maps of the English colonies from 1636 and 1651. They discuss why the maps changed and predict maps from the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Map Lesson

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore basic map skills. In this United States geography lesson, students define "country" and "state," locate their state on a United States map, and identify and trace state boundaries defining their state and surrounding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Community Values

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students discuss the origin of various maps focusing on the values behind them. Students also explore how human needs and geography influence community settlement patterns. Students extend learning by creating and mapping their own ideal...
PPT
Compton Unified School District

How Can We Locate Places?

For Students 2nd Standards
How can we locate places? Maps, of course! Expose second graders to the tools available in maps and discuss how these tools can help people find locations. Students also look at communities, including what makes a community and the...
Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

Constructive and Destructive Geologic Processes

For Teachers 8th Standards
Show the class the world as they've never seen it before—from way above! Learners try to unravel the mysteries presented by rich satellite imagery, learn to interpret topographic maps, and study erosion by constructing their very...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Eagle Has Landed: Aztecs Find a Home

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the Aztec civilization and locate it on a map. They explain the legend of the city of Tenochtitan and investigate the symbolism of the Mexican flag.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Land Does It Take To Produce Your Food?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students calculate the amount of land required to produce the food eaten by an individual for one year and compare the amount of land required to produce animal versus plant products. They use calorie counting resources to compile the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Can Find that Where? - A Study of Landforms

For Teachers 1st
First graders make landform maps of the United States. In this landform lessons, 1st graders participate in a discussion of local landforms and make a landform map of the United States. They follow the teacher's directions to add plains,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping School Grounds

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students map and analyze the natural and cultural environment of the school grounds. In small groups, they sketch the natural and cultural features of each side of the school building, create a map, participate in a class discussion,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Use: Tragedy in the Owens River Valley

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine water management issues. In this environmental issues lesson plan, students watch a PBS video to develop an understanding of watershed, aquifers, and ground water. Students evaluate watershed issues in the Owens River...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Districts

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars use maps to learn about the U.S. Census. In this 2010 Census lesson plan, students visualize census data on maps, use map keys to read population maps, and explore the concept of population density.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Districts

For Teachers K - 4th
Students become literate in their use of maps. In this 2010 Census lesson plan, students visualize census data on maps, use map keys to read population maps, and explore the concept of population density.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the United States Map

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students identify a map of the United States. In this United States map instructional activity, students study a map of the United States and find various locations on the map. Students then locate and list the state that touches their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Reading in the 21st Century

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Pupils interact with MapPoint tools to view maps of the past and the present in multiple ways. They participate in mini-lessons aimed at locating certain points of interest or famous routes taken in history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Map- State Capitals

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore map skills. In this state capital lesson, students view a United States Political Map and identify and use post-it notes to label the state capitals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waldseemüller’s Map: World 1507

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students take a closer look at historical maps. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, students examine the first world map produced by Martin Waldseemuller. Students complete the included map analysis worksheet and then write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity on United States Moon Landing: Apollo 11

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the World Wide Web to access additional information needed to complete a set of questions. They demonstrate an understanding of latitude and longitude by interpreting a lunar map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

But Where Is It On This Modern Map? A problem-solving, mind-boggling experience!

For Teachers 4th
Trace Columbus' voyages by locating them on 21st Century maps.  Using a navigators lesson, 4th graders will examine the Age of Exploration and trace Columbus's routes accurately on laminated world maps using different maps. Note:...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Making Maps

For Students 4th - 6th
In this map making worksheet, students learn about the science of making maps, which is cartography. They then answer the 11 questions on the worksheet. The answers are on the last page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topographic Maps

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this topographic map worksheet, learners learn how to read a topographic map and create a topographic map of their own using clay or Play-Doh. Students include contour lines by layering the clay. Learners answer 6 questions about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climb a Mountain, Raft a River on Your Own Land

For Teachers K - 2nd
Pupils are introduced to the characteristics of a map. As a class, they discuss the uses of public lands in their community and develop symbols for each feature. They use the symbols to create a map showing the recreational uses of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tooling Around Arizona: Reading Arizona Maps

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research Arizona maps. In this map lesson, students discuss map titles, scales, directions, elevation, and symbols. The class will examine topography, landforms, and rivers found on an Arizona map.