Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering New Mexico

For Teachers 7th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gold Rush

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners identify the routes involved in the Gold Rush on a map. In this map skills lesson, students use a United States map to locate the routes used to travel to California during the Gold Rush. Learners demonstrate how to use the map...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How do we measure global earthquakes?

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students examine three seismograms of a recent South American earthquake recorded by USGS stations. They measure the S-P distance and use a P and S wave travel-time graph to find the epicenter distance for each seismogram. In addition,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cattle Trails

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify and locate cattle trails on a globe. In this map skill lesson, students use a marker to locate Texas and Montana and use the map scale to calculate the distance of the cattle trail.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 7 The Transcontinental Railroad

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars explore the Transcontinental Railroad. In this geography skills lesson, students use map skills in order to locate legs of the Transcontinental Railroad on globes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fractal Coast

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students investigate measuring as it relates to the real world. In this geometry instructional activity, students measure distances as they discuss fractals and how it relates to measuring. They measure both linear and non-linear distances.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Contamination Mapping Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced briefly to the Biscayne Bay Ecosystem, observed microbe distributions and water current maps are introduced. They measure water current speeds to predict the movement of pollutants based on the type of the tidal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Post Roads

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students locate the major cities in the colonies during the Revolutionary War. In this map skills lesson, students use a globe to locate cities such as Charleston and Boston using latitude and longitude coordinates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Early American Culture

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars identify the locations of the Hopewell culture. In this map skills instructional activity, students use a globe to mark several locations of the Hopewell culture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Congressional Travel

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students determine the distances traveled by the members of the legislative branch of the US Government. In this travel distance lesson, students locate Washington, DC on a globe using the longitude and latitude of the city. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Underground Railroad

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the Underground Railroad routes. In this map skills and Civil War lesson, students use map and globe reading vocabulary and skills to track the routes the slaves followed from the Bahamas to the United States and from...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 5

For Students 6th - 11th
In this map skills worksheet, students read a text selection about locations during the American Revolution and then respond to 8 fill in the blank questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 1 Some Early American Cultures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers apply their knowledge of geography. In this geography skills lesson, students read brief selections regarding early Americans. Middle schoolers respond to the questions included in the self-guided map skills lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 11The Vietnam War

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students develop their globe and map skills, In this geography instructional activity, students examine the Vietnam War as they complete an activity that requires them to plot latitude and longitude.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our 50 States

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners identify the location of the 50 states using an interactive map. They practice geography skills by playing a fun game. Pupils become familiar with the state abbreviations for the US states. Students become familiar with the...
Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Architects in Action

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Hands-on and real-world applications are great ways to teach mathematical concepts. Creative thinkers examine how ratios are used to create scale models of buildings and structures. They practice working with ratios by looking at a map...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TOPSY TURVY MAPS

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders use the data analyzer and motion detector to collect data and measure distances. They create topographic maps drawn to scale of a given setup and relate the concepts to the creation of historical ocean maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Distance and Area in Satellite Images (College Level)

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students are able to download, install, and use Image J image analysis software to quantify change over time in satellite images. They access and download satellite images for specific locations and times. Students set a scale (spatial...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping with a Compass: A Simulated Survey

For Teachers 4th
Students use compasses and grids to map the locations of artifacts found in a simulated dig site. In groups, they role-play as future archeologists excavating a school site. Groups begin at their assigned datum and site the artifacts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coordinate Grid: Mapping Archeological Sites

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover how to apply the Cartesian coordinate system by figuring out the length and width of their school playground. They determine that pacing is an important tool for the initial mapping of a site. Students conduct a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

So -- What's Happening Here, On This Old Christmas Tree Farm?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students review their prior knowledge on biomes and ecosystems. At a local Christmas tree farm, they work together in groups to identify the changes occuring in the area. They participate in solving a mystery in which they determine the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping a Refuge

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students record observations gathered while at a national wildlife refuge. In this lesson on wildlife refuges, students choose an observation spot and record seasonal changes throughout the year.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Map of the Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a map of the classroom using the computer programs AppleWorks and iChat in this math-based technology instructional activity. Lesson extension ideas include a scavenger hunt and maps of other school buildings.