Montana State University
Everest Extremes: Biodiversity
How many animals can live in a climate as cold as Mount Everest's? Find out with a science lesson all about biodiversity. Activities include research, presentations, group work, coloring maps, and a simulation of a food web.
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Mapping the Village
Learners measure, weigh, and document the amount of trash and garbage generated by the school for one day. They brainstorm solutions for trash in the area and assist with the school-wide recycle program.
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Where's the Barbecue?
Middle schoolers identify the major landforms, regions and rivers on a map of South Carolina. They compare the locations of the major Native American groups in the state as well. They chart where barbecue restaurants are located and...
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The Debate Over North Shore Road
Learners examine the impact of the North Shore Road Project in North Carolina. In this environmental science lesson, students share their views regarding this environmental issue. They compare and contrast the map of the Great Smoky...
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Building A Topographic Model
Students visualize, in three dimensions, features represented by contour lines on a topographic map. They see that the different elevations shown on a two dimensional topographic map can be used to build a 3-D model.
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Wet Water, Dry Land
Students observe and examine relationship between landforms and bodies of water, recognizing differences between them. Students then define island, peninsula, isthmus, archipelago, lake, bay, straight, system of lakes, and identify land...
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Wetlands: Pave or Save?
Students discuss the characteristics of wetlands and how to make them more productive. Using a map, they locate the major wetlands in the United States and color them using a key. They read an article and in groups answer discussion...
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Urban and Agricultural Settlements Why are They There?
Seventh graders identify types of human settlements, urban and agricultural, and determine geographic influence on why people settle where they did by use of maps and charts. They, in groups, identify the needs of a new settlement, which...
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Different Perspectives of Oregon's Forest Economic Geography
Students map data on employment in wood products manufacturing in Oregon counties. In this Oregon forest instructional activity, students discover the percentage of people employed in the forest manufacturing industry. Students create a...
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Cross Section and Slope
Students draw cross sections of given contour maps. In this math instructional activity, students interpret the different symbols used in the map. They determine slope and steepness through direct measurement.
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Schools
First graders complete a unit of lessons on school and how schools have changed. They read a Laura Ingalls Wilder excerpt, view and discuss a Norman Rockwell painting, conduct an interview, construct a school map, and create an ABC book...
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And the Rains Came Down: A South American Rainforest
Students examine the characteristics of a South American tropical rainforest. They analyze maps, develop graphs, listen to the book, The Great Kapok Tree, and create a rainforest mural.
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Bimaadagaako Adventure
Students use an interactive website to complete a wilderness trail adventure where they learn about Native cultures, voyagers, and the Canadian fur trade. For this interactive history lesson, students visit the wilderness classroom...
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Dancing Rainbows: A Pueblo Boy's Story
Students read the book "Dancing Rainbows," and complete a variety of activities across the curriculum. In this Native Americans lesson plan, students create pottery, discuss Pueblo traditions, discuss the importance of rain, and learn...
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Science: Rock On!
Fourth graders explore the traits of rocks and minerals in their local area. After creating a rock and mineral legend, they color maps based on their legends. Once students examine rock and mineral specimens, they draw pictures of them.
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Blog Your Truth
Students explore communication by participating in a digital journalism activity. In this aboriginal research lesson, students view a sample blog on the Internet and identify the techniques behind blogging and Internet journalism...
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Are Butterflies Free?
Students use remote sensing to study monarch butterfly migration and human interaction to save the Oyamel forest (Mexico) for butterfly and human habitation.
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Arkansas State Rock
Here is a lesson which shows the value of a mineral called bauxite to Arkansas during the early 1900's. Learners relate the five themes of geography to the history of bauxite and aluminum production in Arkansas. For teachers of...
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Arkansas State Mineral: Quartz Mineral
The quartz crystals found in the mountains of Arkansas are among the purest and clearest in the world! This activity has middle schoolers focus on this state mineral of Arkansas as they study the state's geography. A fun game is...
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Climate Change in My City
Students investigate the climate changes occurring locally, regionally and globally over the last one hundred years. They brainstorm and predict whether the current year's weather was warmer or colder than last year then check the...
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Landscape Diversity in the Yukon Territory
Students review and analyze a satellite image of the Yukon territory.
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How Far Away is a Tropial Rainforest?
Students explore how far a rainforest is from their home. In this rainforest activity students examine how far they live away from the rainforest. Students use the length of their school day to compare how long it will take to travel to...
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Where, Oh Where is All the Clean Air?
Students examine the history of air pollution dating back to the Roman Empire. In groups, they research the different types of pollutants in the air and how they can affect the environment. They participate in various experiments to...
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Wisconsin Snapshots
Fourth graders study Wisconsin's culture and heritage. They research the state's symbols and identify leaves common to the Wisconsin area. They create a leaf booklet and visit the state park. They visit local farms and create nature maps...