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Google Earth
Students explore cardinal directions and the compass rose using Google Earth. In this cardinal directions and compass rose lesson plan, students use Google Earth to visit Disney World. Students choose which direction to go to get there....
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Mapping the News
Students explore cartography. For this map skills and map making lesson, Students work in groups to create wall size world maps including legends, compass roses, latitude and longitude, and physical features. Students collect current...
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Lesson on GPS
Students investigate global positioning systems. In this technology and mapping lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation in which they identify the features of a GPS, state its uses, and follow steps to find a waypoint.
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A Map Mystery
First graders solve a mystery by following map clues. In this map clues lesson plan, 1st graders follow a computer program called Neighborhood Map Machine. In this program, it gives students directional and spatial clues in order to...
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Compass Rose Directions
Second graders use cardinal and intermediate directions to locate places on maps and places in the classroom, school, and community. They draw a setting map of "Little Red Riding Hood." Students give five steps of cardinal or...
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A Walk Around the School: Mapping Places Near and Far
After reading Pat Hutchins’ Rosie’s Walk, have your young cartographers create a map of Rosie’s walk. Then lead them on a walk around the school. When you return class members sequence the walk by making a list of how the class got from...
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Following Plans
Students learn to follow a specific plan in order to do something or get somewhere. In this following directions activity, students explore key vocabulary related to following plans, complete fun activities that require attention to...
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Geography: Islands and Alcatraz
Students, in groups, create maps of islands including map keys and compass roses. They compare and contrast their island communities with that of the island prison, Alcatraz. Students select from a series of projects, including writing...
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Geo-Town
Second graders use a checklist to construct a Geo-Town map including a compass rose, a map key, and a paragraph about a walk around Geo-Town, using appropriate geometric and directional vocabulary to identify the two-dimensional figures...
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Roll With The Punches: Crossroads to Where?
Third graders visualize and create a map to outline scenes from the novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. They understands the importance of organizing information when making maps and giving directions.
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Reading a Map
Third graders become familiar with the vocabulary and skills related to mapping. In this guided reading activity, 3rd graders find proper nouns on from the map. Students read Goldilocks. Students make a map of their room.
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Route To School Mapping Assignment
Students create a map showing the route from home to school. Students include a legend, compass, label buildings, and color the map route on the map. They write out specific directions.
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Migrating to Texas
Fourth graders explore the migration to Texas from other parts of the United States. Through journal entries they write about the trip as if they were the settlers coming to a new and foreign country. Working in small groups, 4th graders...
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Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589
Students investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages. In this geography lesson plan, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited. Students create an outline of...
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U.S. Geography: The Northeast
Students investigate U.S. Geography by creating a map in class. In this natural resource lesson, students create a map of the United States and research the Northeast based on their resources and recyclable materials. Students utilize...
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Follow the Light
Students investigate the role of lighthouses in navigation and practice the use of cardinal directions through reading activities, discussion, locating geographical features, and mapping lighthouses along the east coast of the United...
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Volcanoes
Second graders review the characteristics and aspects of volcanoes. Using this information, they write a creative story and draw illustrations to accompany the words. They use geographical terms to describe a location and the physical...
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How Healthy is the Wetland?
Students explore wetlands. In this ecology lesson plan, students visit a wetland site and collect data about the wetland functions. Students record their results and use the data recorded to rate the wetland site on its function.
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Put Me in My Place: Using Alphanumeric Grids to Locate Places
Students practice locating points on a large wall grid and create and label a neighborhood map. In this geography lesson, students spell and discuss places as the teacher places them on the map. They discuss the concept of an...
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Help! I Am Lost at Fox Chapel
Sixth graders create a map to locate places on campus and share the map with another student. The other students use the map to locate certain places and validate for accuracy via a checklist. The parents use the completed map at open...
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Order Out of Borders
Students examine the differences between natural and man-made borders by investigating the Texas quarter. They create clay models of the state of Texas.
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On the Road Again": Moving People, Products, and Ideas
In this lesson students learn how to identify modes of transportation and communication for moving people, products, and ideas from place to place. Students also study the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of...
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Scenic Attractions In Four Corners
Fourth graders find and list scenic attractions in SE Utah and the Four-Corners-region. They receive direct instruction and carry out activities in cooperative group settings. They combine their findings onto one large map at the end of...