Curated OER
Plan a Cruise Lesson Plan
Students measure distances and report them in fractions, convert fractions to decimals, and multiply decimals.
Curated OER
Selecting A Destination
Learners utilize atlases, maps, and Internet resources to select destinations and places to stop along the way on a day trip. They examine and write about the reasons they want to visit the particular places they chose.
Curated OER
Navigation
Students study the basic methods for finding one's position on Earth. Latitude can be deduced from the height above the horizon of the pole star or of the noontime Sun, while longitude requires an accurate clock giving universal time.
Curated OER
A Special Relationship: Connecticut and Its Settlers
Students study both geological and geographical features of Connecticut and the New Haven area. They focus on map works and rock formation.
Curated OER
Predicting the Route of the Monarch's Spring Migration
Students consider the habits of the monarch butterfly and predict the path it take as it migrates in the spring.
Curated OER
"Pennsylvania Watersheds, Many Ways to the Sea"
Students trace a molecule of water through the water cycle including each of its three loops. They describe why evapotranspiration demands the largest portion of total precipitation falling on a forested watershed.
Curated OER
Planning a Railroad
Students use a topographical map to plan a route from Doknner Summit to Truckee, then compare it to the route selected by Theodore Judah.
Curated OER
Current Events, Geography
Students read the newspaper to become aware of what is happening in their city, state, nation, and world. They summarize, find locations on a map and ask thought-provoking questions.
Curated OER
Where Is Japan? How Far Is That?
First graders use literature and hands-on activities with maps and globes to explain distance and tools used to measure distance. They select tools to measure various objects in the classroom, then apply those concepts to their map...
Curated OER
Eagle Creek Park (A Hike)
Students plot a hiking course using aerial photos and a topographic overlay and find the latitude and longitude of absolute locations. They measure the total distance of a hiked area and figure the area of the ground walked using Heron's...
Curated OER
Geography and World History
Learners build off of their current knowledge of geography and world history, while being introduced to new concepts and ideas.
Curated OER
Mapping My World
Students are introduced to simple maps and view a map of a classroom and compare distances of items shown.
Curated OER
Animals from Afar
Pupils visualize the scope of the Roman empire by illustrating the geographic origins of various imported animals. They study how exotic animals were imported into Rome from the farthest regions of the empire.
City University of New York
Virtual Geology: Maps Home Page: Topic and Quiz Menus
This collection of resources cover map topics and includes quizzes for improving map and globe usage skills.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Mapping the Past
This lesson plan requires the students to examine past maps from various cultures in order to learn how the people from that time period interacted and understood their world.
Other
Kodak: Social Studies Lesson Plans
This Kodak site has twelve lesson plans submitted by teachers from every grade level. Each activity integrates photography into the lesson.
Other
La Rue Literacy Exercises: Reading a Map: Quiz 12
In this quiz, students are given sections of a map with locations like the school, post office, back, etc. They are asked questions about directions from one place to the other.
Other
Geoscience Australia: Map Reading Guide: How to Use Topographic Maps [Pdf]
A topographic map can be challenging to read. This guide explains how to decipher one and how to use a magnetic compass to orient yourself to the landscape. It also explains how to use GPS coordinates.
University of California
Us Geological Survey: Cartogram Central
The USGS offers detailed information on Types of Cartograms, Congressional Districts, Software for Cartograms, Publications, and a Carto-Gallery.
Discovering Lewis & Clark
Discovering Lewis & Clark
A hyperhistory that takes the student on an interactive journey along with Lewis and Clark.
Other
Office of the Prime Minister: Capital Scramble
Drag the provinces and territories to their locations on the map of Canada in this interactive game. Then unscramble the letters to identify the capital cities of each of the provinces. A paper pencil version may be printed.
Other
Reach the World: Geogames Build Planet Earth
Practice your mapping skills with Build Planet Earth! This animated 3D globe challenges players to locate the Poles, continents, countries, and cities. Colorful graphics and sound effects as well as a teacher's lesson plan are included.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Cardinal Directions | Activity Starter
A thorough interactive program helping students to understand the cardinal directions.
National Geographic
National Geographic: Mapmaker Interactive
Interactive map maker in which students can manipulate world maps adding layers and data with multiple sources of information.