Fourth graders answer the question, Where in America did history take place? Through investigation as a travel agent, they discover that history is not an isolated event. They use a wide variety of technological resources to create their...

Students identify countries of origin of their ancestors, graph patterns of migration to the U.S. and Hawaii, then utilize oral history as a primary document by interviewing their ancestors or parents to explain why they moved to their...

Students investigate patterns of immigration in the US while comparing and contrasting the ideas of citizenship and non-citizenship. They decide how education plays a role in citizenship.

Students watch a PowerPoint presentation on the Gulag system in Russia. In groups, they use the internet to create maps on climate and population pyramids for the country of Russia. They must use this information and develop a plan to...

Fourth graders study Aboriginal Societies in Canada and do an oral presentation to the class.

Students note how personal perceptions influence the understanding of what a region. They look at an agricultural map of what is considered to be the Heartland of the US. They read the words to George Strait's, America's Heartland to see...

Students examine the impact of the train on the physical landscape and spatial organization of America. They read and analyze various poems, analyze maps, and develop a list of the positive and negative changes brought by the...

First graders read The Scrambled States of America and discuss whether it is real or fantasy as compared to the United States. In this geography lesson plan, 1st graders identify their city or state on a map and work in groups to color...

Students examine how human migration started in Africa, and draw maps of Africa and place the names of the countries and capitals on the maps. They write essays on how Africans came to America.

Students read case studies to examine the role of Africans in Mexico. Using maps, they research the areas that are discussed in the text and map out movement maps of Africans to and from Africa. They research the history of the Mexico...

Students read descriptions of various anti-theft devices and investigate car security systems on the Internet. They write and present a television commercial for one of the anti-theft devices and present it to the class.

Students read articles relating to Jackie Robinson's breaking of the racial barrier in professional baseball. This leads to a deeper exploration of racism in the United States. They use a variety of worksheets imbedded in this plan to...

Students reflect on bird migrations and develop a project to collect data on bird species from across North America to further investigate the ranges and migrations of common birds. They create a field guide of North American birds.

Students read about the creation of a football program at a small-town school in Alaska. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...

Students write a diary entry or a letter from the viewpoint of a character in a myth.  In this Aztec myths lesson, students define myths and read "The Heart of Copil" and "The Eagle of Tenochtitlan" and find the land of the...

Fifth graders connect reasons for coming to the New World with identity. The create identities and place them in one of three settled regions. They refer to prior study notes in their Colonial Notebooks to establish their identities.

Students analyze primary and secondary source documents to help them describe the cooperation and conflict that existed among the American Indians and new settlers. Then, students analyze the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives...

Fifth graders read in any textbook, about the French, Spanish and Dutch explorations. They choose any 5 questions from the back of the chapter to answer. Students listen to the tape and follow along in "America will Be." They watch a...

Students explore philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students read Runaway Rice Cake, identify the elements of the story, and make rice cakes to share with others.

Students read a story called Mayor Puts City on Diet to Lose a Million Pounds and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current event Lose a Million Pounds lesson plan, students respond to literature by...

Eighth graders discuss their country of origin and form work groups based on their answers.  In this American Indian lesson, 8th graders locate their country of origin to the lifestyle, products and living arrangements...

Learners determine how to find geographic information about places they read about in the news. In this geography lesson plan, students look at political and physical maps to determine the difference. They access maps online to find the...

Students discover how rivers inspire creative expression.  In this Mark Twain activity, students list songs about rivers and discuss common characteristics. They locate the Mississippi River on a map and write a script in which a...

Students select and research a National Forest near their local community. They read and discuss the pamphlet "A Guide To Your National Forests," view photos of national forests, conduct Internet research, and complete the student...