Curated OER
Overland Trails To The West
After observing a map of trails that settlers took in the 1800s, your class will write a journal with the perspective of a settler. In their journals, they must describe the trail they traveled, geographical features they saw, states and...
Curated OER
Mapping the Prairie
Fifth graders study maps of the Chicago area looking at defining characteristics and place names. They investigate settlement patterns by looking at the maps.
Curated OER
The 50 States
Fifth graders use a database to gather information on the United States. Using this information, they try to describe the settlement patterns in the various states. They enter additional information into the database and use queries to...
Curated OER
Urban and Agricultural Settlements Why are They There?
Seventh graders identify types of human settlements, urban and agricultural, and determine geographic influence on why people settle where they did by use of maps and charts. They, in groups, identify the needs of a new settlement, which...
Curated OER
Name That Place: Cultural Place Names in the United States
Students examine the origin of the people that settled in the United States. In this United States History lesson, students work in small groups to complete several activities that explore early settlement, such as a worksheet, a...
Curated OER
Investigating Immigration and Settlement in Wisconsin
Fourth graders identify the origins of their own ancestors and possible reasons for immigration. They research immigrant groups of Wisconsin, including origins and daily life, and then create timelines depicting their settlements.
Curated OER
Community Map of The Giver
Students read "The Giver" after finishing the unit on inventions and inventors. Using the information in the novel, they develop a geographic map illustrating the community in the story. They identify human and physical features and...
Curated OER
Fashion Fanfare of the 19th Century
Fourth graders compare and contrast the clothing during the 19th century to the fashion trends of the present day. They design something suitable for a future time period and explain why.
Curated OER
Welcome to Paradise
Fifth graders listen to Lynne Cherry's novel, The River Ran Wild. They work in two groups one of whom represents the native people and the other represents the English settlers from the book. They look at the geography of the settlement...
Curated OER
Major American Water Routes
Sixth graders locate and identify the major bodies of water and waterways in the United States. Through a simulation activity, they describe how early explorers would have described their surroundings. Working in groups, they create...
Curated OER
Overland Trails To The West
Consider the political, physical, and geographical factors that led to and marked the Westward Expansion. Learners will track the various routes developed during the 1800's. They create a first person journal describing what they see,...
Curated OER
Texas Treasures
Students explore the meanings of the word "treasure," and examine the use of clay in the construction of buildings in San Antonio, Texas. They examine clay artifacts, and watch a video about pottery artist, Harding Black. Students then...
Curated OER
Changes in the New Nation
Young scholars explore how technology has slowly changed the world, starting in the 18th Century. In this United States History lesson, students work in teams to complete numerous activities that compare and contrast life before...
Curated OER
World War I
Eighth graders examine the condition of the world from 1880 until the start of World War I. After watching a PowerPoint presentation, they discuss the causes and effects of the war and complete a study guide with a partner. To end the...
Curated OER
Rivers to the West
Students discuss the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the reasons they may have chosen to follow certain rivers. They list the rivers that start from St. Louis and follow the route of Lewis and Clark. Students trace and label the rivers...
Curated OER
Alberta And Saskatchwan: the View in 1905
Pupils analyze the differences between maps 1905 and current maps of Alberta and Saskatchewan. They use maps from the Canadian Council for Geographic Education to complete a guided inquiry. This lesson also has many extension activities.
Curated OER
European Climates
Ninth graders study the climate regions of Europe. In this geography skills lesson, 9th graders determine how weather and climate are influenced as they research the climate zones of specific locations and write about the ways that...
Curated OER
Digging, Smelting and Forging: But Why in Pennsylvania
Students examine the history of the iron industry in Pennsylvania. In this iron industry lesson, students learn about Israel Acrilius and his role in the iron industry. Students identify natural resources used in forging iron. Students...
Curated OER
Land Use Change Over Time
Middle schoolers use historical aerial photographs and current aerial photographs to compare the change over time to the land. In this land changing lesson plan, students analyze, compare, contrast, and list the land change in their own...
Curated OER
Cabeza de Vaca Meets the Coahuiltecans
Students examine the difference between primary and secondary sources by examining the journal of Cabeza de Vaca and creating a poster about the Coahuitecan Indian groups. They portray a scene of the groups in 16th Century south Texas.
Curated OER
Alaska Trade
Students spend two days traveling throughout Alaska, trading as they go. They explore universal principles related to trade and commerce while studying about Alaska's geography and indigenous people. At the end of the lesson, students...
Curated OER
Capitol Visitors Center
Students complete a post-trip discussion after visiting the capitol building in Austin. As a class, they review how soldiers received their allotment of land for participating in the Texas Revolution. Individually, they write a letter...
Curated OER
Barefoot and Pregnant
Learners address the problem of a reduction in the world population growth rate being offset by a growing world population base. This problem is particularly true with the rapid population growth in many Third World countries. The lesson...
Curated OER
A Day in the Life from Several Perspectives
Seventh graders role-play the role of people in different cultures throughout Europe. After the role-play, they discuss the main characteristics of culture and identify where they were seen. They discover how the government of certain...