Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arctic Microclimates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify, measure, and average micro-climatic temperatures in a particular region. They draw a small-scale map of an area to be sampled (classroom, playground, park, backyard) and identify potential locations for...
Lesson Plan
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Land Use Over Time

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view aerial photos and topographic maps of their local area. They compare and contrast major land use patterns over time by comparing these images to maps that are at least 50 years old. They analyze them using the four land use...
Lesson Plan
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Field Trip - San Francisco Bay Model

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate scale models while attending a field trip within the San Francisco Bay Area.  In this oceanography activity, students identify the currents of the Bay Area and discuss how they are created by different tides....
Lesson Plan
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Charles Lindberghs's Flight to Paris

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students practice map skills. In this map skills lesson, students locate the cities of New York and Paris on a map. Students read about the flight made by Charles Lindbergh in May 1927 from New York to Paris. Students answer 8 questions...
Lesson Plan
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Down on the Ocean Floor

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners build a map of the Atlantic Ocean floor and mark the different depths.  In this ocean floor lesson students identify parts of the ocean floor that they created and discuss patterns that they see.
Lesson Plan
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Landforms

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students begin their examination of landforms. Using a map, they locate and identify the major landforms on Earth. They discuss how landforms affect the lifestyle of the community and determine which goods and services the community...
Lesson Plan
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Design-A-Room Project (Part 3 of 3)

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students culminate a unit on measurement with a focus on area and perimeter. They design a floor plan of their dream room on graph paper showing the proper area and perimeter. They plan the budget for their room and make a 3-D scale...
Lesson Plan
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Chernobyl 1 - Radiation Released

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the Chernobyl nuclear disaster by mapping out the winds carrying radiation and viewing a short video about the aftermath and subsequent health problems. They then calculate the amount of radiation that people were...
Lesson Plan
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High and Low Tides

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars collect real world data from the Web regarding high and low tides at various locations in the United States. They find a function which models this data and make predictions on tide levels based on the information found.
Lesson Plan
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Marvelous Mathematics

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students make a table on the computer, but create fractions and equivalent fractions through the use of color. They are able to manipulate fractions in order to gain a greater understanding of the meaning of whole number that is broken...
Lesson Plan
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Trends of Snow Cover and Temperature in Alaska

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners compare NASA satellite data observations with student surface measurements of snow cover and temperature. They practice data collection, data correlations, and making scientific predictions.
Lesson Plan
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Data Sampling

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners discover data sampling. In this science lesson plan, students explore data sampling and turn the data collected into useful information by making graphs and using them to solve problems.
Lesson Plan
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Our Energy

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research energy sources used in the United States. In this energy sources lesson plan, 5th graders work in teams to research various energy sources. Students complete a worksheet for the research and make a short video of a...
Lesson Plan
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Investigation: The Local Bagel Shop

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore economics by solving business math problems. In this ratio and proportion lesson plan, 6th graders examine different meals to be purchased at a coffee shop and compare which prices make which meals a better...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Rocks

For Teachers K
Pupils recognize differences in the size, shape, texture, and color of different rocks. In this rocks lesson plan, students also learn and repeat back how a volcano erupts and make one out of a toilet paper tube.
Lesson Plan
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Possible Locations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create maps with cutout pieces of paper that represent caverns. They develop a scale for their map and decide where the best location is to live. They discover the importance of map reading skills.
Lesson Plan
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Big Apple, Here We Come

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students role play the role of immigrants coming to America for the first time. They complete an imaginary trip with their family and must rent a car and make seven stops along the way. They calculate distances and use maps to...
Lesson Plan
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How Much Further Is It?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use estimation to solve problems and assess the reasonableness of their answers. They may use an odometer, a map with a legend, MapQuest, or a map without a legen. They estimate 4 to 5 different scenarios.
Lesson Plan
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Get Ready for the Great Outdoors!

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars discuss what is a map and what they already know about maps. They brainstorm together to compile a list of responses for the board and observe a map of the United States, including states, capitals, and some of the...
Lesson Plan
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Eye From the Sky

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students are introduced to the concept of aerial perspective and scale. Students will use satellite technology to view their neighborhoods and sketch the area surrounding their schools. They will take part in a neighborhood walk to view...
Lesson Plan
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Where Is Hoku?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are introduced to map making and reading. Using maps, they identify the cardinal directions and discuss the importance of a legend. They analyze the human characteristics of the classroom and create overhead view maps of the...
Lesson Plan
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From Home to School, GPS Style

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students are introduced and increase proficiency in the use of the hand held GPS system. They explore the meaning of longitude and latitude lines, then identify the parts of the map.
Lesson Plan
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Can You Dig It?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars investigate a fossil site and diagram a site map. They role play as paleontologists.
Lesson Plan
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Gridding a Site

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils make observations of effigy mounds and record them in a notebook. In groups, they must determine the scale of measurement and create their own grid to scale part of the Effigy Mounds National Monument. They also practice using GPS...