Curated OER
Grid Frame Mapping
Students map and describe small area of the schoolyard and discuss habitats.
Curated OER
Topographic Mapping Skills
In this geography instructional activity, students read an excerpt about topographic maps and why they are useful for various jobs. They also respond to eleven questions that follow related to the excerpt and locating specific map points...
Curated OER
Understanding Latitude and Longitude
Teaching learners about latitude and longitude can get a little complicated. Present the concept by first representing it as a graph. Just like finding a location on a graph using the x and y-axis, learners will be able to locate items...
Curated OER
Plotting Earthquakes
Students plot earthquakes on a map. In this instructional activity on earthquakes, students will explore recent earthquake activity in California and Nevada. Students will plot fault lines and earthquake occurrences on a map.
National Wildlife Federation
Quantifying Land Changes Over Time Using Landsat
"Humans have become a geologic agent comparable to erosion and [volcanic] eruptions ..." Paul J. Crutzen, a Nobel Prize-winning atmospheric chemist. Using Landsat imagery, scholars create a grid showing land use type, such as urban,...
Curated OER
Mapping the Bone Field: An Area and Scale Exercise
Here is an excellent cross-curricular lesson. Learners relate multiplication to area by making a grid on graph paper, and then creating the same grid in real space outside in the school yard.
Curated OER
Exploring Earth Through Maps and Technology
In this maps worksheet, students read 3 pages of detailed information about maps, latitude, longitude, topography, satellites and global positioning. Students then answer 10 questions. There is also a research project assignment available.
CK-12 Foundation
Direction on the Earth: Using a Compass
Navigate the world of orienteering in an informative interactive. Earth science scholars learn practical direction skills, such as proper polar coordinates and pairing compasses with maps. The interactive map allows them to practice...
Curated OER
Gridding a Site
Students establish a grid system over an archaelogical site. They label each grid unit. They determine the location of artifacts within each grid unit. They construct a scientific inquiry concerning the location of artifacts on the site.
Curated OER
Making Topographic Maps and Mountain Profiles
Learners study how to mark inclines and construct a mountain profile. In this topographic map activity students mark contour intervals and draw mountain profiles.
Curated OER
All About the Animals
Whose footprints are those? After reading Janet Halfmann's book, Little Skink's Tail, young scholars use footprints to determine where on a gridded map certain animals have been spotted. They use the map to answer 3 questions, one...
University of Southern California
What Is The Ocean?
Go on a tour of the ocean through the lens of a scientist. Learners read maps of the ocean floor, study tide behavior, examine wave motion, and analyze components of soil. Each lesson incorporates a hands-on component.
Curated OER
Cookie Mapping
Students study the components of a bedrock geology map through a hands-on activity involving a cookie and graph paper.
Curated OER
4-figure Grid Reference
Fourth graders study maps and grid lines. In this weather map lesson students complete an activity that allows them to understand grid lines on a map.
Carnegie Mellon University
Renewables Workshop
Youngsters examine resource maps to find out which states are using solar and wind power and discuss as a class various other renewable energy sources. They use a provided data table to record pros and cons to each technology, build and...
Curated OER
Contour Map Worksheet #1
Being able to read a topographic map is a standard in middle school earth science units and imperative for outdoor enthusiasts. As you introduce learners to this skill, you can assign this as an assessment or reinforcement. Pupils view a...
Curated OER
Explore Surface Types on a Journey Around Earth
Students explore satellite data. In this technology cross-curriculum math and world geography lesson plan, students locate specific map areas using a microset of satellite data. Students use technology and math skills to determine...
Curated OER
MAP MAGNETIC FIELD OF A ROOM
High schoolers map the magnetic field of a room (classroom or room at home -- recommend kitchen) at two or more heights. They create a coordinate grid within the room and make a relatively accurate map of the room to super impose the...
Curated OER
Estimation, Sampling, and Beyond
Students examine an ISS EarthKAM image of farm land in Texas and New Mexico. They select sample region of image and count the number of fields in that region. They estimate how many fields are in the entire region.
Curated OER
Gridding a Site
Students 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...
Curated OER
The O Zone-Code Read Alert
What are the effects of an air quality alert? Expert groups receive one component of air quality information resources to study. Pupils then jigsaw into new groups and share their knowledge. Finally, they draft a statement of what they...
Curated OER
Degrees and Minutes
In this latitude and longitude worksheet, students place 9 cities on a map using the latitude and longitude of each. Once cities are placed in the correct location, students complete 2 short answer follow-up questions.
Curated OER
Investigating Latitude and Longitude
Students examine the lines of latitude and longitude on a map, and explain why these lines might be useful. In this lesson students also explore websites that provide information to improve their understanding of how and why latitude and...