Smithsonian Institution
Who's in Camp?
Pupils complete readings, a group activity using cards, and a writing activity to better understand people's lives during the American Revolution. The resource emphasizes people such as the militiamen, women, officers, and children,...
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Westward Expansion : Mapping
Fifth graders travel along exploring the expeditions of John F. Fremont. In this Westward expansion lesson, 5th graders gain understanding of the events that shaped the west through the use of maps. Students use mapping skills to...
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Mapping Constellations
Students become familiar with constellations. In this space science instructional activity, the teacher introduces constellations by showing students the star patterns and reading myths. Students, observe the stars nightly, then choose...
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The Tone Map
Students listen carefully to a portion of the Poetry Out Loud CD. They focus on the tones the poet uses in his recitation of a poem. Then they map a poem of their own so that a classmate can read it using the tonal qualities intended...
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Planning a Railroad Online Lesson
Students design a train route using a topographical map. In this historical and spatial thinking lesson plan, students must plan a route through the Sierra Nevada mountains that a train could physically travel. Links to printable student...
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Spanish Influence on United States Currency: The Origins of the "Dollar"
Sixth graders research the Spanish influence on early colonial America and the process of establishing the present U.S. currency. They read and discuss an informational handout in small groups, and take a short quiz. Students then...
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Bunyans Lesson Plan
Learners practice their map skills. In this early childhood lesson plan, students use a map of the United States and identify the location of several natural wonders included in the book The Bunyans by Audrey Wood.
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Reading a Local and National Weather Map
Students investigate weather maps. In this weather lesson, students discover the meaning of different weather icons and symbols. Working independently, students use the local forecast to correctly label a state map.
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Reading a Local and National Weather Map
Students examine weather maps. They examine icons and map symbols. Students explore vocabulary words related to weather. Students analyze and evaluate information provided on the weather map.
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Mapping Counties
Students practice reading a map. In this mapping lesson, students illustrate a map and compare and contrast the counties based on their population. Students also explore what a census is and read census data on a map. A student...
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Reading the World, Then and Now
Students distinguish geographic features using Ptolemy's map of the world.
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Making a Map
Students are introduced to maps by examining the various types and practice using a key to find information. They each create their own map with a key and graph information. As a class, they read the story "Henny Penny" and share their...
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Tooling Around Arizona: Reading Arizona Maps
Students research Arizona maps. In this map lesson plan, students discuss map titles, scales, directions, elevation, and symbols. The class will examine topography, landforms, and rivers found on an Arizona map.
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Gingerbread Map
Second graders read the book Gingerbread Baby, identify local features and cardinal directions on a map, and then construct their own map. In this mapping lesson plan, 2nd graders construct their own map in groups based on where the baby...
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Introduction To Topographic Map Activities
Students discuss different types of maps, their similarities and differences. Using a Topographical Maps CD-rom program students create their own map.
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Mapping Los Angeles over Time
Young scholars read maps for chronological information in Los Angeles. They develop a multicultural chronology of Los Angeles.
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Map Keys
Third graders examine maps and map keys. In this locating map features lesson, 3rd graders use crayons, markers and colored pencils to label maps. Students work in partners to read map keys and locate given places and things.
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Science Inquiry Lesson: Mapping Project
Students explore the methods of creating maps. They create a map of Animas River Park using a compass and measuring tape, develop a single map from the team map sections, and devise another map of the Animas River Park using a GPS unit.
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Reading Weather Maps
Fourth graders the symbols that are used on weather maps. They develop five day forecasts based on information they gather from weather maps in the newspaper and on the Internet.
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Using Maps in the LCTL Classroom
Students review terms and prepositions of location and view a map to illustrate the meanings of the prepositions students are unfamiliar with. They play "Where am I?" game utilizing correct prepositions then they work with a partner to...
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Tasty Mapping
Students create an edible map. In this civics and geography lesson, students research their town's features and local government. Students work in groups to design and create a physical map of their town based on research.
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Literacy Map Activity
Students write directions using maps and ad, they define driving directions and convert cardinal numbers to there ordinals. They write directions which are given orally in these multi-level literacy activities.
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The Mind Map
Learners form a mental map of their residence in relation to school and recreate it on paper showing distance, direction, location and symbols. This lesson is designed to introduce young scholars to geographic thinking.
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Compass Rose for the New Millennium
Sixth graders are introduced to the concepts of a compass rose and how it used in relationship to reading maps in geography. The lesson is meant to build upon prior knowledge and skills.