Curated OER
Globe Lesson 4 - Intermediate Directions
Students explore the concept of intermediate directions. In this geography skills lesson, students use map skills in order to identify intermediate directions as they complete a map activity.
Curated OER
Geography: How do Louisiana Rice Farmers Help the Environment after they Harvest Rice?
Third graders study maps of the United States locating Louisiana, the East Coastal Plain, the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, the West Gulf Coastal Plain, and five of the main rivers. In this geography lesson, 3rd graders create a timeline...
Curated OER
The Day the Water Ran Out
Students explore ecosystems by researching desert characteristics. In this drought lesson plan, students identify the potential impacts of a drought on their home state and interview people who are familiar with water studies. Students...
Curated OER
Where is Mesoamerica?
Students create a map of Mesoamerica using construction paper, clay or by drawing it. In this World Geography lesson, students determine the location of Mesoamerica, make a map, then present their map to their class.
National Museum of the American Indian
The A:Shiwi (Zuni) People: A Study in Environment, Adaptation, and Agricultural Practices
Discover the connection of native peoples to their natural world, including cultural and agricultural practices, by studying the Zuni people of the American Southwest. This lesson includes examining a poster's photographs, reading...
Curated OER
Create a World
Students combine imaginative powers with known map-making techniques to create a whole new world.
Curated OER
A Tough Nut to Crack
Children, based on a set of criteria, evaluate the quality of pecans. They research recorded history of pecan trees as well as how their seeds moved across western Missouri into southeastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Mexico. In...
Curated OER
Pop Around the World
Students study the origin of popcorn. They locate countries where it is grown on a world map. They color the world map and glue kernels of popcorn onto the countries from which popcorn originated. They write the names of common items...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Wad-a-Watershed
What kind of impact do humans have on watersheds? Find out in a lesson that defines, explores, and promotes ways to protect our watersheds. The ultimate goal of the lesson is for learners to discover how a watershed is impacted by...
Scholastic
Perfect Postcards: California
It's time to hear about some adventures in travel! The Transcontinental Railroad changed life and travel in the United States during the 1800s. Practicing online research skills, pupils discover the features they would like to visit on...
Curated OER
The Conquest of the Aztec Civilization
Students use the classroom atlases, the Internet or textbooks to draw a freehand map. They work in groups using the maps in the book The Broken Spears (Portilla) and The Conquest of New Spain (Diaz) to draw a freehand map identifying...
Curated OER
Where in the World Is…
Students identify countries, oceans, states, and more on a globe and on a flat map. In this geography lesson plan, students also locate places around their school.
Curated OER
The Battle of Glorieta Pass: A Shattered Dream
This lesson can be used in American history, social studies, and geography courses in units on westward expansion and the Civil War.
Curated OER
A Taste of the Caribbean
Pupils are introduced to the foods and traditions of the Caribbean. In groups, they brainstorm their own definition of culture and review the physical and political geography of the Caribbean. They spend time sampling different foods...
Curated OER
Mexican and American Views of Texas
Students study the territorial status of Texas in 1830, 1840, and 1846 and interpret an historical timeline. They develop a general statement of Mexican and American views of Texas.
University of New Mexico
Let's Travel
Fourth graders work in groups to research various locations across the United States. They present their findings to the class, participate in a travel fair, make phone calls to tourist agencies and write letters to state tourism...
Curated OER
NFE General Knowledge Quiz
Eighth graders review various aspects of World History. In this World History lesson, 8th graders participate in a bingo game. Students complete a worksheet during bingo.
Curated OER
Lost on Superstition Mountain
Students review the concept of responsbility and relate it to the own lives. Using the internet, they research the search for gold on Superstition Mountain in Arizona and locate it on a map. They also examine the culture of Mexico and...
Curated OER
Establishing Borders: U.S. Expansion
Students interpret historical maps and locate territories annexed by the United States in the 1840. In groups, they research the war with Mexico over Texas from both perspectives and answer on a worksheet about expansion.
Curated OER
Effects of the Spanish Conquest
Fifth graders read and research the effects of the Spanish Conquistadors on the New World. Then they break into small groups and play a game of Jeopardy, using the facts that they have learned.
Curated OER
World Hunger - A Cultural Crisis
High schoolers explore the problem of world hunger and starvation. After a class discussion, students use a map to identify specific areas where populations are starving. In groups, high schoolers research reasons for the lack of food....
National Gardening Association
Migration Mishaps
Elementary ecologists pretend to be migratory hummingbirds. They fly between wintering and nesting grounds, trying to reach a habitat haven. In a musical-chair fashion, some birds will miss out, and are removed from the game. To further...
Curated OER
The Dust Bowl and the Ogallala Aquifer
Students research the characteristics of the Great Plains as an agricultural area. They examine farming techniques from the past and how those farming techniques are used today. They investigate the present uses of the Ogallala Aquifer.
Curated OER
Keeping News Trustworthy
Students analyze media sources. In this media awareness lesson, students consider media outlets as businesses and discuss how they present information. Students keep media logs and analyze selected newspapers, magazines. or television...