Polar Trec
What Can We Learn from Sediments?
Varve: a deposit of cyclical sediments that help scientists determine historical climates. Individuals analyze the topography of a region and then study varve datasets from the same area. Using this information, they determine the...
University of Colorado
Strange New Planet
The first remote sensors were people in hot air balloons taking photographs of Earth to make maps. Expose middle school learners to space exploration with the use of remote sensing. Groups explore and make observations of a new...
American Battlefield Trust
Experiencing the Battle of Franklin
Scholars watch videos, study an animated map, and read a firsthand written account to explore the impact of the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War. Academics analyze images, complete worksheets, and create journal entries to...
Forest Foundation
Forest Watersheds
Where does the water we use come from? To understand the concept of a watershed, class members study the water cycle and then engage in an activity that simulates a watershed.
Nemours KidsHealth
Breakfast
How can breakfast help you to avoid feeling sluggish and distracted throughout the day? After reading informational articles, learners will discuss how to overcome obstacles to eating breakfast, brainstorm ideas for quick breakfasts, and...
Global Oneness Project
Highways and Change
What is the cost of change? Roberto Guerra's photo essay "La Carretera: Life and Change Along Peru's Interoceanic Highway" asks viewers to consider the impacts of the 1,600 mile-long highway through Peru and Brazil that connects Pacific...
Pace University
Urban Communities
Urban communities are the focus of a series of lessons created to meet specific needs using differentiated instruction. A pre-assessment designates scholars into three groups based on their ability level. Small groups take part in...
Teaching Tolerance
Fairness Fair
How can we create a more fair world? Chances are, class members have some ideas! After reading a text about fairness, individuals create skits around the ideas of fairness. Extend the learning and make their presentations a...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 10 - Putting It All Together
Wrap up this unit by navigating through a prescribed course using a map and a compass. Put all the skills learned about reading a compass and using a map to navigate through an unknown course. Each learner should have a control card...
Curated OER
Literature Study Guide: Gulliver's Travels
Although the title suggests this resource is devoted to Gulliver’s Travels, the materials and templates can be used with any work of literature. Readers fill out a reading schedule chart, write a summary, keep a vocabulary word list, and...
Curated OER
Making Lewis and Clark's Journals Come Alive
Students are presented daily excerpts from Lewis and Clark's experiences. The dates and activities are tracked on a classroom map.
Curated OER
Geography With Dr. Seuss
Learners read the book, The King's Stilts by Dr. Seuss and discuss the geographical information given in the book. Then they discuss and locate on a map the physical features that make up the continent of Africa. They create an original...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 9 - Declination
What's the difference between true north and magnetic north? Lesson 9 has your class practicing mapping using a compass and taking the correct declination into account. This lesson is one part of a 10 lesson unit on orienteering....
Curated OER
Telecommunications and the Whole Language Program
Young writers use technology and other media to research information on a chosen topic. They explore countries where keypals and e-mail friends are located. Using their writing skills, they correspond with their e-mail friend and...
Curated OER
Lesson Two: Writing Letters in Code
Combine your friendly letter lesson plan, grammar lesson plan, and technology lesson plan with this fun activity! Young writers compose letters to friends, and then convert the text to Webdings font. Their friends then decode the letter...
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
Beyond Demographics
Students study the culture of the Dominican Republic. In this Peace Corps lesson, students watch, "Destination: Dominican Republic." Students also examine primary source materials on the nation and discuss their findings.
Curated OER
Social Studies - Guessing Game
Focus on a particular geographic location with this resource. Learners use their social studies textbook to look up information about a specific place. They write down a list of facts and read them to the class. Classmates guess which...
Curated OER
Take a Hike
For this geography skills worksheet, students respond to 9 questions that require them to read topographic maps and interpret them. The topographic maps are not included.
Curated OER
The Bread of the Sandwich
Students create relief maps of Canada and Mexico out of everyday objects like dried macaroni, dry rice, sand, etc. They create a clue card for a location game and try to stump their classmates. They host a travel fair to display their...
Curated OER
Discovering New Mexico
Seventh graders discuss the elements of maps and using basic linear measurement. They calculate the distance between the cities and create a simulated journey around New Mexico using a road map. They write out the directions for their...
Curated OER
Mathematics of Cartography
Students practice their math skills as they explore maps. In this cartography lesson, students calculate distance, scale, coordinate systems, and projection as they work independently reading online maps.
Curated OER
Location, Location, Location!
Twelfth graders locate cities, states and countries on maps. They use the cardinal directions to locate places on maps. They describe where they were born by giving clues without naming the exact state. They trade papers and try to guess...
Curated OER
Introduction to Symbols
Pupils study the concept of picture symbols as a way to express ideas without using words. In this picture symbol lesson, students place symbols on a U.S. map according to meaning. Pupils then review various symbols representing...