Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the News

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore cartography.  In 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages.  In this geography lesson, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited.  Middle schoolers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding: Geography

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore their neighborhoods. In this geography lesson, students make a map of their neighborhood. They must include a key, natural terrain, buildings and streets. They also write a descriptive paragraph about their neighborhood.
Worksheet
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Make a Map

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this mapping activity worksheet, students finish the map by following the 5 directions and using the map key. Students the map key, scale, and an inch ruler for help.
Lesson Plan
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Playground Mapping

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars review their physical models of the objects on their playground at school. Using the model, they convert it into a map with a scale and key. To end the lesson, they use the map to locate different objects and measure the...
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Identity Self-Portraits

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
What symbols represent you best? Individuals consider how they would draw peers using symbols about their identities with an interview and art activity. After conducting interviews and portraits, the art makes a great centerpiece for...
Activity
Curated OER

3D Textured Globe

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
The earth, our home planet, and the star of Earth Day celebrations everywhere! Celebrate Earth Day or examine Earth's place in the solar system, with a fun and easy craft, perfect for children nine and up. Paper mache ornaments, paint,...
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Community Mural / Poster Campaign

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Every piece matters. A creative lesson provides an opportunity for scholars to create murals or posters that represent their views on social justice. Academics work on smaller posters or pieces of a mural that will ultimately be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

School Neighborhood Walking Tour

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students list specific boundaries in their school neighborhood and explain their possible purpose. They examine a neighborhood and see what connects us and what divides us. They, in groups, make maps of various neighborhoods and present...
Lesson Plan
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Emphasizing Scale When Creating a Site-Specific Work of Art

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students study art by Matthew Ritchie. Students view pictures of the artist and discuss art that is created specifically for a designated area. Students create pen and ink drawings on letter size paper. Using an overhead, students...
Lesson Plan
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Carving Mountains

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore geography by participating in an illustration activity. In this land-form lesson, students define vocabulary terms associated with glaciers and forests. Students utilize pens, cardboard and pottery clay to draw and...
Lesson Plan
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Comparing Distances

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students practice estimating distances by analyzing a map. In this length measurement lesson, students view a map with a distance key and use their measurement skills to estimate the distance between two cities. Students utilize an...
Lesson Plan
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U.S. Geography: The Northeast

For Teachers K - 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Cartography

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students follow directions to draw a map of an island. They complete the island map adding their own details using symbols and a legend.
Lesson Plan
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Night by Elie Wiesel

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore WWII by reading a book with their class. In this Holocaust research instructional activity, 10th graders read the book Night, and discuss the horrors of the concentration camps and Nazi brutality during WWII....
Lesson Plan
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Map-Making Basics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study maps. In this geography and art lesson, students create their own map of the classroom.
Unit Plan
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It's Greek to Me!

For Teachers 6th
Students explore Greek Mythology. In this Greek Mythology unit, students read myths, pantomime vocabulary words, practice research skills, create city-states, and demonstrate knowledge of ratios and proportions. This unit includes many...
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Community Puzzle Mural

For Teachers K - 2nd
Every piece of the puzzle is important. A lesson gives individuals the opportunity to create artwork that spreads a message of inclusion and tolerance. Class members work in teams to create pieces of the mural that form a larger picture....
Lesson Plan
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Park Brochures

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate natural environments by researching national parks. In this brochure making lesson, 6th graders explore a specific national park and research it's information by utilizing the web. Students create travel...
Lesson Plan
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GPS Art

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design their own logo or picture and use a handheld GPS receiver to map it out. They write out a word or graphic on a field or playground, walk the path, and log GPS data. The results display their "art" on their GPS receiver...
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Identity Portraits

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
When you look at me, what do you see? Young learners answer this question by creating a portrait that reflects the identity of one of their peers. First, class members create interview questions. Then, they interview classmates to...
Lesson Plan
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Castle Builder

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss the importance of castles in medieval times. Using the internet, they research the parts of a castle and design their own using the components. They use everyday materials to build the castle to a specific scale.
Lesson Plan
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Compass Rose: Dance and Quilt

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify the cardinal directions by listening to a song entitled, "Stand," and by reviewing the lyrics to that song. They notice the cardinal directions that are posted around the classroom. They perform the motions as...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring History Through Photographs

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare and contrast photographs from the 1800s to those of 2003. In groups, they create drawings of how society has changed over time and use maps to locate local streets. Individually, they practice measuring the...