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Learning with Lewis and Clark

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students visit the Lewis and Clark Era in the Time Machine link, to build interest. They then explore first hand the missions of the Corps of Discovery; mapping the American West, examining the natural landscape, flora and fauna, and...
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Learning About Japan Through Its Kites--Intermediate

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read various readings on two kit making sessions. They locate places and human spatial patterns using a map. Students design in two dimensions using line to create details.
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Latitude and Longitude: Geography and Geometry!

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders use latitude and longitude coordinates to pinpoint an exact location on the map. For this geography lesson, 2nd graders utilize handouts from the Maritime Museum in order to gain practice in finding locations throughout...
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Native American Homelands

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the Navajo, Sioux, and Iroquois tribes, noting their distinctive characteristics. They trace the homeland of each of the tribes on maps and create map keys. Students explain how they developed their map keys.
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Learning from Maps and Timelines Time Travel

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students create timelines depicting the important events in the lives of the groups that arrived at the Fort St. Louis. They include the fate of La Salle and the colonists.
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U.S. History: What Happened Here?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students apply the global positioning system to create maps of local historical sites. By collaborating with local historical groups, they research events and relate them to broader, national history. In addition to writing essays...
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"Where in the World is my School?"

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students learn new vocabulary and discuss what GPS is and does. They locate their school using the equipment.
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I Can Compass, Can You?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discover how to use geographic tools. In this compass lesson, students identify cardinal directions by appropriately using compasses along with a number of various maps.
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Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Pupils explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills lesson, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.
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Cultural Mapping

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars are introduced to the cultural diversity in Australia. Using new vocabulary, they define multiculturalism and explore their own cultural backgrounds. In groups, they complete a series of worksheets to develop a better...
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Delightful Directions

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify and demonstrate how symbols and models are used to represent features of the environment. They identify the directions on a map as east, west, north, and south. Finally, 1st graders play a direction game, move to...
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Media Center Map Skills

For Teachers 5th
Student demonstrates the ability to locate, retrieve, and handle media and equipment by utilizing the library media center floor plan, symbols, and guides. They then use systems of classification to identify, locate, and retrieve materials.
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Topo Triangulation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate how to read a topographical map and triangulate with just a map. They convert a compass measurement to a protractor measurement, reverse a bearing direction, and using a worksheet take a bearing of certain landmarks...
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Solutions or Impossibilities? HIV Prevention for African Children

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze maps for clues as to why students and mothers in both urban and rural areas of Africa may not fight HIV the same way as those in wealthier countries. They write an essay outlining solutions to the AIDS epidemic.
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Making the Invisible Visible

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students evaluate the various ways in which cyberspace is beginning to be mapped by geographers, cartographers, artists, and scientists and use their understanding of the information these new maps can convey to create their own maps of...
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Vikings in Vinland

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the role of archaeology in gaining information about past civilizations. After reading an article, they discover evidence of the Viking settlement of North America. They summarize the information in the article by...
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Topos, Compasses, and Triangles, Oh My!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students triangulate using a compass, topographical (topo) map and a view of outside landmarks. They take a field trip to another location away from school and mark discernible landmarks (like mountains or radio towers) and changes in...
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Africa Falls Prey to H.I.V.

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners use maps, statistics, and written texts to recognize the H.I.V. explosion in Africa.
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Dual place names in Australia

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students discuss landmarks commonly found on maps. They are divided into two groups, and asked to draw a map for a friend who hasn't been to the area. Group A may use street and place names, group B may not. Students discuss the role of...
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Life During the Civil War for Women and Civilians

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students follow an overview of the American Civil War from a film, the text and/or teacher direct instruction. They create a timeline with a large map of the U.S. in the 1860's available for student reference as they do the spider activity.
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The Dip Felt Around the World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share their opinions about a story about a sudden decline in China's stock markets. After reading an article, they identify the global impact of China's falling stock markets. They create a cause and effect map about the fall...
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Weathering the War

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research maps, weapons and weather from a variety of wars, then create a presentation showing the impact weather and topography has had on military operations.
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Mining Riches

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars research and map how various mining ventures have changed local geographies and populations. First they read the article provided--Examining the Environmental and Social Impact of the Mining Industry.
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Somewhere in the Middle

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners investigate the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon in August of 2006. The geographic region known as the Middle East is examined and maps created with information on border and territory disputes.