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Haiti: Exploration and Colonization

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders discuss what their prior knowledge of the exploration of the Americas/Caribbean and the history of the island of Haiti. They trace Columbus' journey from Spain to Hispaniola and locate Haiti in the Caribbean and read the...
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Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the life of Chief Joseph and Nez Perce.  In this US History lesson, 11th graders analyze paintings and photos detailing the flight of Nez Perce.  Students create a narrative newspaper article based on...
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Multi-cultural and Multiple Perspectives Literacy Lesson

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders compare their thoughts about Africa before and after reading an associated book. In this cultural understanding instructional activity, 3rd graders write down their thoughts about Africa. They receive information from the...
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A New World and the Emergence of a New Race

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners study specific terms and concepts about the discovery of America. They improve their history knowledge about some Latin American regions and their map and geography skills of the New World. They describe what is meant by...
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Weather and Climate Around the World

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explain the difference between climate and weather. They gain concepts of currents and discuss how the currents have an affect on climate and weather. Students gain knowledge of the instruments that meteorologists use to predict...
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Cranes, Crosswalks, and Big Gulps

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students watch a video and answer questions based on wildlife jobs. In this wildlife lesson plan, students learn that biologists don't just play with animals but that there is a lot of study involved.
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Follow That Ship!

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students in this exercise are introduced to the distinct ways of measuring distance (nautical miles) and speed (knots) at sea, as well as the concepts of latitude and longitude for establishing location.
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The Commonwealth - Members and Structure

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Pupils research the member countries that make up the Commonwealth. They develop research skills using atlases. They define the word community. They complete an online geography quiz.
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Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars explore the characteristics of major ecosystems, the interactions of the organisms within the systems, and the effects of humans on the system. Both living and non-living components are examined in this five lesson unit.
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Urban and Rural Communities

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss similarities and differences of urban and rural communities.  In this urban and rural communities lesson, students compare urban and rural communities using a Venn Diagram.  Students examine maps of each type...
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The Silly States: Where Is Your State and City?

For Teachers 1st
First graders read The Scrambled States of America and discuss whether it is real or fantasy as compared to the United States. In this geography lesson, 1st graders identify their city or state on a map and work in groups to color the...
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Making a Region Map of a State

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create salt maps of a state and indicate its regions. They include topographical elements including mountains, valleys, lowlands and major water bodies and a compass rose.
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Yaks, Yurts, and Yogurt: A Look at China's Autonomous Regions

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to five Chinese geographical areas. They, in groups, research these areas and develop presentations including information on the physical characteristics, climate, elevation, agriculture and language.
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Walk and Bike Across America

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students learn how to use maps, compute mileage, and be physically active while exploring America's national parks, historical heritage, and nutritional information via key agricultural sites.
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New Perspectives

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine maps that are designed to give different perspectives. They create mental maps that illustrate their own perspectives and those of people from other parts of the world.
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Tactile Maps

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students make a map of an assigned area (state, country, etc.) using a 3-D pictorial-tactile representation of the features to be included. They also learn to create a pictorial- tactile representation of their knowledge of a region, and...
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Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research and chart the shortest course to circumnavigate the globe.
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Planning a Railroad

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use a topographical map to plan a route from Doknner Summit to Truckee, then compare it to the route selected by Theodore Judah.
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Studies of the Eastern Worlds: Cultural Maps

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders look for similarities and differences in the culture of Eastern World countries by looking at the art from each country. They test their hypothesis and assumptions through further research in the media center. Finally...
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Critical Literacy In The 21st Century

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students read the book Sitti's Secrets and complete prediction and comprehension activities. In this literacy lesson plan, students also write questions and comments they have on chart paper.
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Making a Report to President Washington

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners gain an understanding of some of the challenges the U.S. faced at its birth. They are asked to compose a report on the state of the nation in 1790 (addressed to President George Washington), which includes a narrative, maps and...
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THE GULF STREAM

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars explore how to describe the Gulf Stream, how Benjamin Franklin charted it, and correctly plot it on a map.
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Making Sense Of A Round World On A Flat Surface

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the development of geography skills. They take part in a number of activities that center around finding and traveling to different locations. The lesson has resource links that can be...
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Our 50 States

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners identify the location of the 50 states using an interactive map. They practice geography skills by playing a fun game. Pupils become familiar with the state abbreviations for the US states. Students become familiar with the...