Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introducing Maps Through Dance

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students are introduced to the key concepts of maps; direction, pathway/line, shape and symbol. They create the pathways and shapes they have "mapped" out on paper on the floor. They dance along the paths.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why All Maps Lie

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover the fundamental advantages/disadvantages of both maps and globes. They see that maps may distort size, shape, distance and direction. They discuss the advantages and applications of 5 types of map projections and...
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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

What is a Globe?

For Students 1st - 2nd
For this globe worksheet, students read a definition of a globe and identify the North Pole. Students color the globe to illustrate the land and water.
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,...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Where in the Latitude Are You? A Longitude Here.

For Teachers 5th
Students distinguish between latitude and longitude on the map. In this mapping lesson, students participate in mapping skills to recognize spatial relationships, and where to find natural resources on the map. Students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring an Atlas

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners explore global geography by participating in an atlas activity. In this countries of the world instructional activity, students collaborate in small groups and analyze an atlas while researching continents, countries and...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Mexico: One Land, Many Cultures

For Teachers 1st
Students, through a variety of activities, discover the geography and culture of Mexico. They make maps, read folktales, write a journal, create pinatas and other artistic pieces, and review the history of Mexico.
Unit Plan
Project Food, Land & People

Loco for Cocoa

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a time line and map about how chocolate traveled the world. In this chocolate lesson plan, students also create and taste chocolate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Continents

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students investigate World Geography by researching the different continents. In this Asian Geography instructional activity, students discuss the continent of Pangaea and color a worksheet of the continents. Students locate China on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three Mapping Activities

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students label three maps of China after being introduced to background information about the country. For this geography lesson, students color two maps and label various points of interest in China. Finally, students draw...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Our Place in the World

For Teachers K
Students study the concept of geography in a year long unit. In this geography unit, students participate in different activities that explain the spatial sense of the world, the physical landmasses and bodies of water, geographic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography and Culture in South Carolina

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore South Carolina. In this cultural heritage instructional activity, students investigate the topography of South Carolina using maps. Young scholars are engaged in identifying the different regions of the state and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's All in the Pattern

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Here is a fantastic, nine-page, multi-session lesson plan on the Zia Sun Symbol (found on the New Mexico state flag), and the seasons of the Earth. Everything you need to implement the lesson plan is here, and the many engaging...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Things Chinese-- Building a Classroom Museum

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore China.  In this introduction to Chinese culture lesson, students bring in items or pictures from home that represent Chinese culture. Students create a "Chinese museum" by putting these labeled items on display,...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Winter Holiday Activities Extravaganza

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students define culture and explore elements that are part of the custom or culture of a place.  In this holiday lesson plan, students identify the cultures they participate in.  Students identify the differences in people's...
Lesson Plan
2
2
Curated OER

Chinese Lion Dance

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students celebrate the Chinese New Year and listen to the story behind the Chinese Lion Dance.  In this Chinese New Year lesson, students research the geography and culture of China.  Students create puppets, dance the Lion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Big Blue

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create paper mache globes with balloons. They label the 4 oceans on their balloons with reference to large wall map, classroom globe, and Encarta Virtual Globe CD-ROM projected on large screen TV with Tvator or other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Holy Mole

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the Mexican sauce Mole and the culture of Mexico.  In this Mexican culture activity, 3rd graders find Mexico on the map and access prior knowledge about the country.  Students discuss Mexican foods....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honing in on Hummingbirds

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore ruby-throated hummingbirds.  In this cross-curricular hummingbirds lesson, students listen to the book The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds and choose related topics to research with a partner. Students draw or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cleverest Thief

For Teachers 1st
First graders read The Cleverest Thief and participate in various activities across the curriculum areas. In this story lesson, 1st graders arrange an anagram of the word monastery.  Students complete worksheets to alphabetize and...
Unit Plan
2
2
Curated OER

Confucius Say... China Old

For Teachers 2nd
Students locate China on the map. In this Chinese geography, history and culture lesson, students read literature about China. Students participate in paper making, silk making and lantern making activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Empire State-Building

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore how empires around the globe have impacted the world in which they have existed. They analyze whether or not the United States is an imperialist nation and create their own empires based on their understanding of empires...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Currents

For Teachers K - 11th
Learners discover the geography of Earth by analyzing water currents.  In this oceanography lesson, students create visual references on a map of the globe where and why major ocean currents are moving water.  Learners conduct...