Curated OER
The Big Circle
Students explore geography by participating in a mapping activity. In this concentric ring instructional activity, students utilize a poster board, string and markers to identify their current location within the entire world. Students...
Curated OER
Follow Your Dreams: Career Goals
It is so important for impending high school graduates to start thinking about their potential careers. Here, they discuss the persistence of Blondie Hasler and his impressive transatlantic trip. They follow various routes on a map and...
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Trade in Precontact Alaska
Young scholars explore the geography of Alaska and its effect on trade. In this ancient Alaska lesson, students participate in a simulation that requires them to trade with those in the territory and outside of it.
Curated OER
World Projections
Students identify map projections and examine polar maps. In this map skills lesson, students use a flat world map to identify various projections and calculate the distances between locations by using a map scale.
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Introduction to the Globe
Students investigate how to use a globe. In this map skills lesson, students define what a globe is and locate the various continents on the globe. Students are also asked to locate the four oceans on the globe.
Curated OER
The Geography of Land Planning
Students utilize simple maps to plan a town, supply water resources and then fit their towns into the a larger community. They assess how hard it is to plan a town by group decision-making as well as the services required to help a town...
Curated OER
Map on the Wall
Students examine the Ogallala aquifer water storage facility, identify rivers that refill the aquifer, and locate major cities near by. Students make maps of the area.
Curated OER
Teaching the Five Themes of Geography Through Picture Books
Read the story Make Way for Ducklings and introduce little ones to the five themes of geography. Reread the story, while displaying transparencies to reinforce the five themes. In groups, learners view pictures and identify the themes on...
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Message in a Bottle
Sixth graders write a short story about being stranded on a deserted island. After a brief geography review of locations at various latitudes and longitudes, 6th graders draft their story about being stranded. They use sensory and...
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Cardinal Directions
Students explore cardinal directions. In this social studies instructional activity, students create maps of home and school using the cardinal directions.
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Materials: Hidden Costs, Mapping the Source and Cost of Raw Materials.
Students map connections among raw materials. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students design strategies to minimize the use of raw materials and discuss how to use more sustainable materials.
Curated OER
She's All Over the Map
Students consider female authors and their literature. Working in partnerships, they research and map the life and work of a Nobel Prize-winning female author of their choice. Students write individual letters expressing their thoughts...
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Snack Search
Students make maps to show where the agricultural products used to produce various packaged snacks are grown. They bring in snacks from home and utlize a worksheet imbedded in this plan.
California Academy of Science
California's Climate
The United States is a large country with many different climates. Graph and analyze temperature and rainfall data for Sacramento and Washington DC as you teach your class about the characteristics of Mediterranean climates. Discuss the...
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Bears and Panthers Aplenty: Early Settlers Make a Home in Arkansas
Young historians research the Southwest Trail, which ran through Arkansas back in the 19th century. Pupils are divided into four groups. Each group researches a pioneer who blazed the Southwest Trail. Then, the group presents an oral or...
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Summertime Travel
Third graders write about a summer event they participated in. For this paragraph writing lesson, the teacher models how to write about a place they have visited. Students then write their own paragraphs. Students will point out on...
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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...
Curated OER
Name That Continent
Students practice locating the seven continents, four hemispheres, and four oceans using a large world map and a review song. They also import a world map to the Kid Pix computer program then type in proper labels on the map. There are...
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Where's the Sand?
Students identify the characteristics of deserts. In this geography lesson plan, students discuss the characteristics of a desert and label a map with the names of deserts.
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Know Your Area
Young scholars investigate transit by analyzing their school surroundings. In this local geography lesson, students identify their school in relation to the rest of their state, country and globe. Young scholars discuss their personal...
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Climate Characteristics of Canadian Localities
Tenth graders match the climate data to a Canadian city. They justify their choice, referring to factors that affect climate. They use the Atlas of Canada's Advanced Search to locate specific communities.
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The Hopi Indians
Fourth graders read and look at maps of the Hopi Indians and compare and contrast their lives with the Hopi Indians. In this Hopi Indians lesson plan, 4th graders learn about different cultures and answer short answer questions.
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Discovering Prehistoric Trails
Eighth graders examine prehistoric terrain. In this geography lesson plan, 8th graders discover necessary resources for settlers. Students work in small groups to create a trail crossing the state of Kansas.
Curated OER
Continents
Learners investigate World Geography by researching the different continents. In this Asian Geography lesson, students discuss the continent of Pangaea and color a worksheet of the continents. Learners locate China on the map worksheet...