Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Different Kinds of Maps

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the landforms and population diversity. They read maps and examine geographic terms. Students create their own map of the United States and answer questions about the location of people. After exploring the map, 3rd...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adventures With Maps And Globes

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine the differences between a map and a globe. They discuss and identify the symbols on maps and globes, then in small groups complete a worksheet. Students then complete a Venn Diagram comparing maps and globes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Reading

For Teachers 1st - 4th
After examining a map from 1803 and 2003, they explore how to become map readers. They describe what they see on the map from 1803 and compare the information to the map from 2003. Students create their own map of the neighborhood that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Facts, Fictions and Perceptions of Regions

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners examine the different characteristics of the regions of the United States. They discuss places they have visited in the U.S., and in small groups conduct research on a selected region of the U.S. Each group labels a map of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the World's Geography

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss the seven continents of Earth and the diverse geography. After discussion, they create their own paper-mache globes which properly display all seven continents, the equator, and the prime meridian. They conduct research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Capitals, Oceans, And Border States

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate geography by completing games with classmates. In this United States of America instructional activity, students examine a map of North America and identify the borders of Mexico and Canada as well as the Pacific and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Latitude and Longitude

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students examine the lines of latitude and longitude on a map, and explain why these lines might be useful. In this lesson students also explore websites that provide information to improve their understanding of how and why latitude and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go To Sleep, Gecko!

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the interdependence of organisms using the book "Go To Sleep, Gecko!" They examine a variety of food chains, listen to the book, and answer story comprehension questions. Students then conduct research on food...
Lesson Plan
August House

Go to Sleep, Gecko

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd Standards
Use this multidisciplinary lesson to delve into these subjects: English language arts, math, science, drama, and character education. After reading, discussing, and making interpretations about Go To Sleep, Gecko!: A Balinese...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mekong River

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Junior geographers explore the region through which the Mekong flows, its pathway, the landscape, how people depend on the Mekong, and future uncertainties. They apply the five themes of geography to examine the region. They create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Contouring We Go

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the built environment and infrastructures of their community by constructing contour equipment, using the equipment, and comparing their results to current topographical maps of the same area
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Prairie Climate

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research the average temperature and precipitation of a prairie region to determine the type of climate it is, and how it differs from other biomes. They examine the types of adaptions animals have made to live in the...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 1: On the Road with Marco Polo: A Boy in 13th Century Venice

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners investigate Marco Polo's life as a young boy in 13th century Venice. They analyze maps, explore various websites, complete a chart and answer discussion questions, and create a travel brochure about visiting 13th century Venice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Should We Put a Store?

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students analyze population data. They convert population data into simple density maps to help make decisions about their world. They select the best location for a school store based on population density. They present their maps...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the World War? Mapping WWII in the Pacific

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students study the geography of the Pacific theater of World War II. They study maps to examine the geography and features of the land.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain Forests: A Disappearing Act?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine and locate rainforests on maps, and research the patterns of their destruction. They develop a bar graph of rainfall and temperature data, write a journal entry, and research the people, animals, and plants/products of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Clever Monkey Rides Again

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students read and explore a West African folktale. In this folktale lesson, students read the book The Clever Monkey Rides Again and examine West African proverbs. There are several related multi-subject extensions on this lesson which...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GEOGRAPHY: SPACE CENTERS

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars examine the descriptive science dealing with the surface of Earth, its division into continents and countries, climate, natural resources, inhabitants and industries of the various divisions and analyze the political...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ireland: the Emerald Isle

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders complete a unit of study that examines several perspectives of Ireland. They explore how climate shapes Irish culture, reference historical and political maps, compute exchange values for Irish money, complete worksheets,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roman Archy

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use Google Earth to examine Roman architecture. In this ancient Rome lesson, 3rd graders visit the noted URLs to look at examples of Roman architecture. Students work in teams to examine data about the structures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interactive Atlas

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the different ways people move from place to place in a neighborhood. Using the interactive online atlas MapQuest, they identify the various ways people move around their own neighborhood by creating a map and...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Brrrr! Expeditions to the North and South Poles

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the first successful explorations of the North and South Poles, through a study of the four men who accomplished them. They present the fruits of their research on posters, or with PowerPoint presentations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build the Tallest Building

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the design and construction of skyscrapers. They use the internet to research information about different types of skyscrapers. They create their own building and defend it to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children in the United States and Japan

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students locate Japan on a map or globe and describe the relative location of Japan. They use the Internet to investigate cultural characteristics of children in the United States and in Japan. They use a Venn Diagram as an...