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The Challenges Ahead

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the physical obstacles that the Lewis and Clark expedition encountered on its journey. They report what challenges these physical obstacles might have posed. They review a modern-day map and explain if the obstacles...
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The Distance Between Us and Them: Sea Floor Spreading in the Atlantic Ocean

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils examine how geologists determine rates of sea floor spreading between two tectonic plates. They apply mathematical concepts such as the calculation and use of velocities and conversion from one set of units to another.
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Treasure Hunt - Geography and Cultural Diversity along the Journey to the West

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work in groups and use treasure cards and maps to go on a treasure hunt to several regions in China. They prepare a presentation on the geography and culture of the area that they are assigned to.
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As the Bird Flies

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the properties of lines and congruent triangle theorems as well as apply geometric properties and relationships to real-world mathematical problems. Given two different scenarios, they examine maps that have been...
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Louisiana Purchase

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students use maps, lecture and discussion to explore the unique contributions to the U.S. resulting from the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. They complete worksheets, label maps and participate in discussion groups.
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Prepositional Phrases

For Teachers 5th
Focus on prepositions and prepositional phrases, is the goal of this game of charades. The clues are based on maps that they have drawn out of a hat, and describe how to get to a certain location in a town using prepositions. Note:...
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African life VS American life: Food and 3rd World and 1st World counties

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the difference in 3rd world and 1st world countries. For this social studies lesson, 3rd graders are divided into groups and given varying amounts of food. Students discuss the unfair distribution of the food....
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Where, Oh Where

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students use maps to explore several traditional regions of Native Americans. They research information on the regions' climate, resources, landforms, flora and fauna.
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Where In the World Are the Resources?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the internet to research the amount of natural resources in a specific area on Earth. In groups, they locate the supply of each natural resource on a map in that area and what can be done to reduce their usage. They also...
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The Great Continental Drift Mystery

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students stud the concept of Pangaea by using Wegener's clues to construct a map of the continents joined together. They determine how fossil distribution can be used to enhance the study of continental drift. They locate the...
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Teaching the Five Themes of Geography Through Picture Books

For Teachers K - 4th
Read the story Make Way for Ducklings and introduce little ones to the five themes of geography. Reread the story, while displaying transparencies to reinforce the five themes. In groups, learners view pictures and identify the themes on...
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Science: Draining the Land - the Mississippi River

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use topographic maps to identify parts of rivers. In addition, they discover gradient and predict changes in the channels caused by variations in water flow. Other activities include sketching a river model with a new channel...
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Climate in Our Back Yard

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students construct a "A Year in Pennsylvania" poster on which they creatively describe at least three examples of how the climate they live in shapes their lives during every season of the year.
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Goods for You!

For Teachers K - 1st
Learners define "goods" and "services" and identify examples of both. They read farm books and discuss what we use from animals and plants on a farm. They observe the Wisconsin quarter reverse and locate Wisconsin on a map.
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Trading Traditions: Based on the American Samoa Quarter Reverse

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate U.S. Currency by researching American Samoa.  In this monetary unit lesson, students define the reverse and obverse of a coin while completing a currency related worksheet.  Students identify American Samoa...
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Island Animals

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concepts of endangered animals and conservation. In this animal conservation lesson, students complete activities to investigate the endangered animals of the US Virgin Islands. Students complete multiple worksheets...
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Litter

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students discuss the concept of littering and what they do personally to contribute or prevent littering. In this environmental awareness lesson, students create a jingle, or a commercial to promote recycling. Links to some excellent...
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Taking it to the Streets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the concept of cultural diffusion. They give examples of cultural diffusion throughout history; e.g. the development of Cuban music and dance. Students explain how cultural diffusion impacts civilizations, past and...
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Sum It Up!

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars read the book Esperanza Rising and discover the meaning of a summary. They re-read chapter one and write down some things that they think are the most important facts about what is going on in the story. They copy a story...
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Comparing Neighbors

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare and contrast Minnesota to its Canadian neighbors. In this geography lesson, students work in groups to examine a map for their political division to Minnesota. Students compare and contrast information about Minnesota to...
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Show-Me Economics

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders distinguish between savings and spending. Students graph out a variety of important Economic concepts/vocabulary. They set up an imaginary job to save money and spend money.
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Immigration For Grades 3-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of immigration. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students create a KWL chart to organize the information. The lesson also includes a resource link for the...
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The Nature of Coins

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine the Arkansas state quarter and identify natural resources depicted on the quarter. They compare natural resources to man-made resources and identify examples of each.
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Summer Fun! Vacation Destination Postcards

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students design a postcard with a graph and text. They research their favorite vacation spot. Pupils write a friendly letter to their parents requesting to visit this vacation destination. Students use a Circle Map, to help fill in their...