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Columbus' Perception of the New World

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
students investigate readings relating to the voyage of Columbus in 1492 and to make historical connections based on those readings. They form pairs to share insights and answer specific questions, and share information in a final class...
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Greetings!

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students investigate the ways in which people greet each other. They read a book about greetings, participate in a role-playing game about greetings, interview family members about greeting styles and report their observations to the class.
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French Cheese

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discover how cheese in France is made. Using the internet, they read articles about the importance of cheese in the French culture. They identify the various French cheeses and locate the areas in France that manufacture...
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Indus Valley Geography and Civilization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the geographical features of the Indus Valley to determine how the location of this valley contributed to the growth of an ancient civilization. They work in groups to research the area before completing map work that...
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Vacation Matrix-Integrated Core

For Teachers K
Students read aloud, "The Best Vacation Ever," by Stuart Murphy locate vacation spots on a map and describe their own vacations. Students illustrate their summer vacation spot and describe the vacation, placing it on a "vacation matrix"...
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Searching for a New Home

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate pilgrims. In this pilgrim lesson, students read the book If You Sailed on the Mayflower and identify the path from England to Holland on a map. Students write in a journal about how they would feel if they were a...
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Multi-cultural and Multiple Perspectives Literacy Lesson

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders compare their thoughts about Africa before and after reading an associated book. In this cultural understanding lesson plan, 3rd graders write down their thoughts about Africa. They receive information from the book,...
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Learning Words

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students listen to Jane Yolen's, All Those Secrets of the World. They engage in activities to find word meanings without using a dictionary. They practice using a vocabulary mapping handout.
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Sky 2: Shadows

For Teachers K - 2nd
students will explore making shadows and tracking the movement of an object over the course of a day to look for patterns. It is best to couple this shadow activity with reading the book, Bear Shadow, and making a map of Bear's...
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de Soto's Expedition: An Alternate Route

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Exploration Age lesson, 8th graders compare historical maps with new maps focusing on the route of Hernado de Soto.
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The Great Kapok Tree

For Teachers K - 7th
Students read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry. After reading the story, they center on the controversy of destroying the rain forest or conserving it. Students have to make an informed decision about rain forest destruction.
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Viriginan American Indians

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Pupils complete a KWL chart about the American Indians using graphic organizers from websites. They read a teacher-selected book about the early Virginia American Indians and then read Becoming a Homeplace from the Virginia Historical...
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How Many Days To America?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders determine how many different types of immigrant groups came to America. They discuss how immigrants feel when moving to a new place. They read the story, "How Many Days to America" by Eve Bunting and discuss how some...
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students complete QAR activities for Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this literary analysis lesson, students read chapters 2 and 3 and complete reading check questions. Students discuss chapter highlights and the QAR...
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An Introduction to Shamanism

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students investigate Inuit customs. For this cultural traditions lesson, students read about religious customs of the Inuit including Shamanism. Students discuss the role of Shaman and create Inuktitut-English dictionaries with terms...
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The Human Face of Flagstaff

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students make a brochure for Flagstaff, Arizona. In this geography instructional activity, students look at a map of Arizona and the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce sheet to find natural and human features of the city. They create a...
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GALIMOTO

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders identify Malawi, Africa on a map of Africa and demonstrate their resourcefulness and creativity by making their own galimoto.
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What On Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore earth science through concept mapping, discussion, and self-discovery.
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Synonymous Sharks

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students locate and read an Internet article on sharks. They write a summary of the article, and complete a Concept of Definition Map using information from the article.
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Research Project

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Pupils learn the characteristics of arachnids by researching the arachnid of their choice and producing a 4 to 5 paragraph research paper.
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Nautical Navigation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to discover the importance of charts while navigating. They complete a worksheet and practice reading maps. They create their own nautical chart to complete the lesson.
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Reindeer Herders

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the life of of nomadic herders in Siberia. They read and discuss an article and maps from National Geographic, identify threats to this way of life, and write a letter to the Russian government identifying ways to...
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Who Dropped What into the Melting Pot?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Pupils show the movement of people to the United States from other countries on maps. They study the geographic cultural roots of foods that contribute to the melting pot of food in America. They research where an ingredient comes from...
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The Dynamic Earth

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students participate in assessments related to the layers of the Earth. They read chapters of text, answer questions, watch videos, and identify and label continents and oceans on a map. They design posters, create vocabulary cards,...