Ninth graders explore the country of Bratislava. In this Eastern European lesson, 9th graders read an article and answer comprehension questions. Students create a presentation for their classmates on Bratislava.

Students explore geo-political and economic contexts for the European Renaissance journeys of exploration, including those of Columbus, create cartographic symbols, and add those symbols to a print-out of Ptolemy's map.

Students explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills lesson plan, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.