Students discuss the history of cacao and its use in the production of chocolate. They analyze actual cacao pods and record their observations. Finally they create a five minute contour drawing of the cacao pod and seeds.

Students study the reason why time zones exist and how they are established. They predict time zones for different places on Earth.

Pupils draw a map to give directions to someone rather then give them too many relative locations.

Students identify the various forms of fresh water on the earth. They observe a demonstration aand read articles that show them the importance of water conservation. They write a journal about their opinion regarding paying for water.

Students identify and analyze land use changes over time with historic aerial photographs, and classify different land use into categories.

Learners examine geography through the themes of place, human/environment interaction, and region. They create a mental map of their own neighborhood, analyze their role in the world, and design a neighborhood that reflects their needs.

Fourth graders discover the political career of Sam Houston. In this Texas history lesson, 4th graders research primary resources and create a modern-day version of Sam Houston's political campaign of the 1840s.

Learners explore the use of design principles in the real world. They evaluate how problems can be solved using design principles. In groups, students design the floor plan for a building of their choice.

Students investigate a way to sail a boat around the world without touching land while learning about the Panama Canal. In this Panama Canal lesson plan, students learn about the relationship of socio-political continents and how the...

High schoolers design an on campus treasure hunt to find various architectural vocabulary words which they then create definitions for on the blog page on the Environmental Design website.

Fourth graders explore the migration to Texas from other parts of the United States. Through journal entries they write about the trip as if they were the settlers coming to a new and foreign country. Working in small groups, 4th graders...

Students study the similarities and differences between their school and a school in Korea. In this culture study lesson, students discuss and list their classroom's weekly schedule. Students then read about a Korean class schedule and...

Students examine the political status of Puerto Rico. In this global studies instructional activity, students explore Puerto Rico and consider the feelings of Puerto Ricans regarding their unique political status.

Ninth graders compare and contrast different Carnavals throughout Latin America. In this Latin American lesson, 9th graders study the geography and colonial history of Latin America.

High schoolers investigate the problem of pollution and its effects on the environment. The use of questions for research stimulate thinking and advanced problem solving skills. The important skill of reflection is used to help students...

Students take an imaginary world tour by locating cities with latitude and longitude. They plan an itinerary and calculate the time zones from which they would call home. Then they construct word problems involving travel across time zones.

Students examine the craft of cartography and how the Lewis and Clark expedition created and used maps. They analyze maps, read a handout, create a map, participate in a mini expedition and map out a route based on travel directions,...

Students map and analyze the natural and cultural environment of the school grounds. In small groups, they sketch the natural and cultural features of each side of the school building, create a map, participate in a class discussion,...

High schoolers study wolves and their habitat in Yellowstone.  In this environment and behavior lesson students create an interactive map of wolves in Yellowstone.

Students design a model watershed. In this watershed lesson, students learn the needed parts of a watershed and how they work. Students evaluate how watersheds effect communities.

Learners understand the purpose of an aquifer. In this aquifer and groundwater lesson, students build a model aquifer find its relationship to water usage. Learners record observations as they build the layers of the aquifer.

Students investigate the food webs in the Barnegat Bay. In this organisms lesson, students use a graphic organizer to illustrate the types of consumers in the bay. Students use reference books to continue to research the animals found in...

Fourth graders research to find the regions of Texas.  In this technology instructional activity, 4th graders create a Kid Pix project showing the location of various regions of Texas.  Students show where in those regions...

Students study the geography and resources available to the ancient Egyptians and create a multimedia tour that demonstrates this learning to others.