Curated OER
N is for Natural State
For any pupils who live in the state of Arkansas, this would be a fabulous educational experience to help them get to know their state better. Through the use of activities in literature, art, mathematics, science, social studies, and...
Curated OER
Photography and the National Park Service
During the 1800s the United States was expanding westward; land was there for the taking. Kids explore how some early photographers used their photography to influenced the US Congress to save areas like Mirror Lake. They complete a...
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My Summer Vacation
Students study the United States geography using Google Earth. In this U.S. geography instructional activity, students create travel journals about five U.S. geographical locations. Students research the human and physical...
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Where the Buffalo Roam
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
National First Ladies' Library
Leeches and Spiders and Toads, Oh, My! The Emergence of Modern Medicine
Students explore the basic ideas and beliefs about medicine in the 18th and 19th centuries. They write a news account to be published in a "medical journal" developed by the class. Each "article" in the journal should be dated...
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The Voices of Slavery
Fourth graders recognize and can describe the settlers of Early America. In this American colonies lesson, 4th graders research using primary and secondary sources, Native Americans, Europeans, and African Americans role in the colonies....
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Water Rights
Students discuss resource availability and natural resources. They explore the basic rules of appropriation. Students participate in a water rights simulation. They discuss possible consequences of appropriative water law.
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Australia: Aboriginal Religion
Students compare and contrast Christianity and the religion of the Aborigines in Australia. In this Aboriginal religion lesson, students discuss the creation story of the Aborigines and discuss the "dreamtime." Students discuss the...
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Lewis and Clark in Your Local Park
Young scholars read parts of the Journals of Lewis and Clark focusing on the descriptive writing of Meriwether Lewis. They examine pictures of animal and plant species, and listen to nature tapes. They simulate the experience of the...
Curated OER
Geo-Exchange Box
Learners send a box of clues to a class in another Oregon community along with hints to help them study about their community. Students research their own geographic area, determine what they send in their box, then collect and assemble...
Population Connection
The Human-Made Landscape
Agriculture, deforestation, and urbanization. How have human's changed the planet and how might we mitigate the effects of human activity on the planet? To answer these questions class members research the changes in human land use from...
Curated OER
Straberry Girl: Florida's Location and Shape
Students explore geography by reading a story about Florida. In this Florida vegetation instructional activity, students read the book Strawberry Girl and identify the locations in Florida that are mentioned in the book. Students...
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Modern Messages
Pupils explore the aims of artists working in various contemporary art movements, then create works in a similar art style to convey
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Problem-Based Research Lesson: Wilderness Issues
Students read and discuss articles relating to the theme "How should we deal with the growth of towns and human populations into wilderness areas?" Based on the class brainstorm, each student generates a research topic. They are grouped...
Curated OER
Problem-Based Research Lesson: Wal-Mart Debate
To prepare for class, learners will read several articles (links included). Students discuss the articles, and ways to deal with the proliferation of big-box stores in rural areas. The class takes two minutes to generate a research...
Curated OER
Surveying Society's Attitudes About Crime
Young scholars investigate how crime reporters do their jobs and how the news of crime gets reported.
Curated OER
Latin America: Places and Regions
Seventh graders create a Latin American portfolio in the form of a country presentation using PowerPoint software. They use their knowledge of geographic concepts to interpret maps, globes, charts, diagrams, and timelines.
Curated OER
Coming to California
Fourth graders read excerpts from Juan Bautista de Anza's diaries. They analyze the impact of primary sources. They write journal entries for characters in stories they have read during the year.
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Cartographer and Journalish as Storytellers
Students collaborate in groups of four students to create a written description of their community during a specific year. They analyze data provided by maps and newspaper articles. They meet as a whole class to discuss their conclusions.