Unit Plan
Curated OER

Beyond Chopsticks and Rice

For Teachers 8th
Students explore the stereotypical American images of China. In this English and World History lesson, students read a novel to become familiar with China and its people. Students research various events in China's history and report...
Lesson Plan
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Peru Geography and the Environment

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders draw maps of Peru and examine how Peru is a geographically diverse country.
Lesson Plan
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Marine Protected Areas

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners design a research project about a Marine Protected Area they chose. In this marine biology lesson, students gather fish count and catch data then graph them. They create an information poster about their findings.
Lesson Plan
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Trading in the Silk Roads Cities

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore elements of trade along the Silk Roads by examining products of various locations along the route, production, influences of resources and environment, challenges of transportation, and economic exchange; students then...
Lesson Plan
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Name that Wind

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study wind and the direction terms related to wind. In this meteorology lesson plan, students learn about the wind directions by completing a wind direction activity where kids locate cones marked with the specific wind...
Lesson Plan
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Geological Maps of the Western Regions

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the geological makeup of the West.  In this geological maps lesson plan students creat a map that includes a key and present it to the class. 
Lesson Plan
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Clothesline Sleuth

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the effect of North American colonization on human history. In this colonization lesson, 5th graders explore the global impact of colonization of North America. Students investigate the impact of geography on...
Lesson Plan
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From Bolls to Bolts

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the economic effects of the colonization of North America. In this Social Studies lesson, 5th graders examine the economic  and cultural results that occurred due to North America entering the market. Students...
Worksheet
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Primary Source: Lucy

For Students 5th - 6th
In this primary source instructional activity, students read a selection about Lucy, a skeleton discovered in 1974, then complete a set of 4 document-based questions.
Lesson Plan
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Dealing with Disasters: Exploring a Cyclone Shelter

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Pupils participate in reading activities to discover what a cyclone is and how cyclones affect those parts of the world that they hit. They discuss what kind of shelter would be best to create in anticipation of a cyclone.
Lesson Plan
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Winds Go Spinning Around

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students simulate the Coriolis Effect to comprehend why winds in the Westerlies are prone to cyclonic and anti-cyclonic motion. They arrive at an explanation of processes that drive world wind patterns
Lesson Plan
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European Explorers of North and South America

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the connection between the geography of America and the migration of the Native Americans to the American continents to the future conquering of the continents by the Europeans. They discuss the causes and effects...
Lesson Plan
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Oceans Socratic Questioning

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars participate in a whole class discussion of ocean-floor structures and plate tectonics. They respond to prompts in a structured sequence that lead them to conclusions about the role of plate tectonics in the creation of...
Lesson Plan
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Heat Unit

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars define thermal equilibrium. They distinguish between internal energy and heat. Students describe how the quantity of heat that enters or leaves a substance is measured.
Lesson Plan
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Historical Development of a Scientific Idea

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine how scientist's contribute to atomic theory.  In this development of a scientific idea activity students work in groups and research the development of the atomic model. 
Lesson Plan
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Around and Around (The Water Cycle)

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students view a video of the water cycle, and make a water cycle baggie. In this water cycle lesson plan, students watch a video, discuss vocabulary, and make a water cycle baggie out of water, salt, ice, and a hot plate.
Lesson Plan
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A Comparison of Land and Water Temperature

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students use the NASA website's Live Access Server to create a graph of surface temperature at two locations on earth. They analyze the data and then answer specific questions provided in this lesson plan. They also examine and compare...
Lesson Plan
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Caterpillar Camouflage

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students list animals, plant parts, and reasons for caterpillars to camouflage themselves. In this animal and plant adaptations lesson plan, students also play a game where they use colors as camouflage.
Lesson Plan
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Five Themes of Geography

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct research to determine why geography is important and how it provides information regarding many aspects of the world. They investigate the hemispheres, longitude, latitude and absolute location.
Lesson Plan
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Weather Wizards II

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore weather. They follow the weather forecasts in the media and on the web. Students explore various facets of weather and create their own weather forecast. They prepare a multimedia stack.
Lesson Plan
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Earth's Weather

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders learn how solar radiation, latitude, and other factors affect weather. They break into six groups and are assigned a topic to research and to present their findings orally.
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to Biomes

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the different kinds of biomes. In this life science lesson, 8th graders explain their importance in an ecosystem. They take a BrainPop quiz at the end of the lesson..
Lesson Plan
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International and Development Banking

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Learners engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of banking in a local and international marketplace. They conduct research using a variety of resources with the end result being a demonstration of a flowchart of how...
Lesson Plan
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Trading in the Silk Road Cities

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore elements of trade along the Silk Roads by examining the products of various locations along the route.