Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Body and Mindscapes

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders view artwork by Robert Harris of landscapes and mountains. Using a map, they locate and identify the physical features of the Canadian province they live in. In groups, they use one of his paintings and add music to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where In the World Are You?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders fill in blank copies of the United States Map and then the World Map.
Lesson Plan
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Iowa - Here We Come

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students practice their geography skills. In this geography activity, students plan a trip in their state that includes calculating mileage, time, and other costs. Students also submit a written trip itinerary.
Lesson Plan
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Comparing Distances

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students practice estimating distances by analyzing a map. In this length measurement lesson, students view a map with a distance key and use their measurement skills to estimate the distance between two cities. Students utilize an...
Lesson Plan
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SpellO': An Orienteering Lesson

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students participate in hands-on activities to practice orienting maps. Given activity cards, students accurately read maps and locate specific stations. Students collect information from the maps to spell a message when the activity...
Lesson Plan
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Maize to Maquiladoras: Movement from Mexico to Arizona

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students label maps of Arizona and Mexico of the products that moved from one place to another. In this Arizona and Mexico lesson plan, students also summarize the effects of the movement on life in Arizona.
Lesson Plan
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Where Should We Put a Store?

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
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Charlemagne

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Pupils examine the life and accomplishments of Charlemagne. In this medieval times lesson plan, students create timelines that feature events of Charlemagne's life. Pupils record the events as well as Charlemagne's opinion of the events...
Lesson Plan
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Create Your Own Country!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create their own countries. For this geography skills lesson, students establish governments, cultural backgrounds, atlas/geography components, national anthems, and national symbols for a country they create.
Lesson Plan
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Voyage to the New World

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate the history of North America by creating a map.  In this world geography lesson, 3rd graders analyze the voyage Christopher Columbus took to arrive at the new world by creating a map of his...
Lesson Plan
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Weather Watch

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine weather patterns. In this weather instructional activity, students examine daily weather maps, identify weather patterns, and forecast weather based on the patterns they note.
Lesson Plan
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Naming the States of the U.S

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the 50 states on a map. In this social studies instructional activity, 5th graders identify the names of the states and location. Additionally, students work in small groups to name and locate as many states as they...
Lesson Plan
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Living Through Fire

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate the poverty found in Haiti. In this current events lesson, students research the noted Web sites to study Haiti's geography, history, and civil war. 
Lesson Plan
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First Nations Contributions

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders recognize the contributions made my Indigenous people around the world. In this research skills lesson, 11th graders research native peoples of several countries and create presentations that feature the contributions of...
Lesson Plan
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Nebraska Counties

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the counties of Nebraska. For this Nebraska history lesson, students examine maps of the state and determine the location of specific counties and conduct research on them. Students also use the county names to fill in...
Lesson Plan
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Read a Transportation Story

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research the building of a transcontinental road. In this railroad history lesson plan, 3rd graders discuss past and present transportation. Students look at historical photos and compare and contrast photos from today.
Lesson Plan
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The Ogre Bully

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read the story The Ogre Bully and complete language arts activities connected to the story. In this language arts lesson plan, 2nd graders complete activities including discussion, reading, writing, sequencing, analyzing,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polar Day: Comparing My Community to a Northern Community

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders practice their geography skills. In this Polar Day-themed lesson, 3rd graders use their research skills to compare and contrast the place, regions, and human systems in their community to a Canadian northern polar region...
Lesson Plan
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Anansi Goes to Lunch

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read the story Anansi Goes to Lunch and complete language arts activities connected to the story. In this language arts lesson plan, 2nd graders complete activities including discussion, reading, writing, drawing, and role...
Lesson Plan
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Introduce Michigan

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore Michigan. In this geography skills instructional activity, 4th graders read textbook pages about the state and then participate in a classroom activity that requires them to be part of an assembly line.
Lesson Plan
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Between the Rivers

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders compare and contrast historical American cultures.  In this American history lesson, 2nd graders participate in reading, writing, oral, and hands on activities. Students discuss the similarities and differences...
Lesson Plan
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Eratosthenes

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine what Eratosthenes is and the history behind him.  In this earth lesson plan students complete a hands on activity to repeat Eratosthenes' experiment.
Lesson Plan
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Mayan History

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Mayan contributions to the world. In this Mesoamerican culture lesson, students view a slideshow about the Maya and then peruse books about the accomplishments of the culture. Students create...
Lesson Plan
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Is it Olympic Time?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate the Winter Olympics by studying the geography of the 2010 Vancouver games.  In this competitive sports instructional activity, students identify the planning and preparation needed to produce an event like the...