Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topo Map Mania!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and use topographical maps. They also use a compass to find bearing to an object on a map and in the classroom. Ask your students how they might travel to somewhere they have never been to befo
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages.  In this geography lesson, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited.  Students create an...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Topographic Mapping Skills

For Students 5th - 9th
In this geography worksheet, students read an excerpt about topographic maps and why they are useful for various jobs. They also respond to eleven questions that follow related to the excerpt and locating specific map points on the map...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topo Map Mania!

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders describe the major features of maps and compasses. They read a topographical map. They take a bearing using a compass. They practice using scales on a map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading a Local and National Weather Map

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate weather maps. In this weather lesson, students discover the meaning of different weather icons and symbols. Working independently, students use the local forecast to correctly label a state map.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Hudson in 1609

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
While this lesson focuses on a study of the Hudson River, it could be used as a template for a discussion of map skills, converting measurements, and plotting a route. The lesson includes vocabulary and other resources to make it a...
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

The Monsoon

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Few things are as fascinating as the challenge of climbing Mount Everest. This lesson investigates how monsoon weather impacts climbers. To begin, you are instructed to show various video clips. The only one directly provided, however,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping a Garden

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders recognize the components of a map, particularly the legend, the key, the symbols and the area. They develop their own map of a garden they be planting in their upcoming science lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Personal Maps

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students study maps and become familiar with how to use one.  In this investigative lesson students create a map of an area and provide a legend. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The O Zone-Code Read Alert

For Teachers 4th - 5th
What are the effects of an air quality alert? Expert groups receive one component of air quality information resources to study. Pupils then jigsaw into new groups and share their knowledge. Finally, they draft a statement of what they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Contamination Mapping Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers 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...
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

Measuring Elevation Past and Present

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
After viewing a short video about a climb up Mount Everest, high schoolers read about triangulation for measuring distant elevations. Have your class work in groups to construct an inclinometer and then use it to measure the height of...
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

Altitude: What's in the Air?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Introuduce your scientists to the differences in air at varying altitudes with a colorful explanatory graph. After some discussion, they view unbelievable footage of mountain-climbing Leo Houlding and a narrative about how he might do...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legend of the Poinsettia

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students explore the poinsettia and its symbolism as a Christmas flower. Students will listen to a story about the poinsettia and its origins in Mexico and discuss what they know about Mexico. They will discuss the poinsettia's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where are the Watersheds in San Francisco?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students create a mental map of San Francisco. They compare it with actual topographical maps of the city. Then they label various locations on the San Francisco Hillshade map and locate watershed boundaries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growing Plants in Science and Literature, More Than an Empty Pot

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students read The Empty Pot as an introduction to plants. In this planting lesson, students understand a sequence of events in the book and relate it to the sequence of a plants life. Students grow plants and record information in flower...
Organizer
Curated OER

Hurricane Frequency: Identifying Regions with Similar Numbers of Hurricanes

For Students 7th - 9th
In this earth science worksheet, students answer 6 questions about the hurricane map and data provided. They create a data table based on the information provided on the map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air Masses & Fronts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use a set of maps depicting a front passing through the state to identify two distinct air masses and the frontal boundary. They then deterine whether the front is moving in time and in what direction the front is moving.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-In The Small Small Pond

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students read In The Small Small Pond by Denise Fleming. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of the pond ecosystem. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Patterns

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create constellation maps and record their own legends of how constellations came into existence. After observing the sky at night, 3rd graders discuss star maps, read previously recorded legends on the origin of stars. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oregon Rainshadows

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students brainstorm list of possible highest locations in Oregon, identify and label places from list on map using color code, and discuss and identify causes of a rain shadow.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Energy Balance Performance Standard

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students examine how Earth-Sun relationships affect Earth's energy balance and the pattern of world temperatures. Students study a Surface Temperature Regions map and write a paragraph describing the temperature pattern from the Equator...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aerosol Lesson: Science - Graphing SAGE II Data

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine and plot atmospheric data on bar graphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dark Days on the Prairie

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore U.S. geography by researching agriculture. In this dust bowl instructional activity, students complete a cause and effect worksheet based upon the dust bowls that covered a large portion of Oklahoma and Texas in the...