Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Birth of a Rocky Mountain City and Railroad: Georgetown and the Loop Railroad

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the evolution of a town. In this social studies activity, students discuss why Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop Railroad were developed and discuss life as a prospector. Students write a letter explaining what life is...
Lesson Plan
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A River Through Time

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore how construction of a dam on the Gila River affected the lifestyle of Pima Indians. In this social studies lesson, students locate the Gila River and the Coolidge Dam. Students record dates on a timeline and discuss how...
Lesson Plan
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Take Me to the River

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students learn about a different way of life.  In this river and dams lesson, students discuss  the Hoover Dam.  Students then view pictures of the Hoover Dam, discuss the impact of dams, and compare life before and after...
Lesson Plan
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"Where In The World Am I?" Creating a Travel Brochure for Japan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a travel brochure for the country of Japan.
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The Geographic Question

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners are introduced to the characteristics of a river system. In groups, they discover how rivers are formed and how it flows. They discuss the relationship between the river system and people and develop ways to keep the river...
Lesson Plan
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Natural Disasters

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders write a description of a natural disaster. They list as many natural disasters as they can think of. The class discusses any natural disasters individuals have witnessed first hand. They watch a brief clip of a film that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather in the USA

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars identify the different types of weather conditions that occur in the United States. They discover how to adapt to weather and explain forecast and warning signals.
Lesson Plan
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Solid Waste and Our Natural Resources: Utilizing the Story THE LORAX

For Teachers K - 12th
Students gain an introduction to our planet's solid waste problem and our personal responsibility in curbing and solving said problem through the use of Dr. Seuss' book, The Lorax. After hearing the book, class discussion follows.
Lesson Plan
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Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars analyze the story Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain geographically, and explain the term climate and discuss its relevance in the story as well as to their own lives.
Lesson Plan
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And the Rains Came Down: A South American Rainforest

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners examine the characteristics of a South American tropical rainforest. They analyze maps, develop graphs, listen to the book, The Great Kapok Tree, and create a rainforest mural.
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Canada

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders sample the rich diversity of Canada's people and cultures, glimpse the vastness of Canada's lands and waters, and get an idea of the wealth and variety of its resources, wildlife, and history.
Lesson Plan
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Which Way is Up? The Tree of Life in Africa

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students read a book titled This is the Tree about a baobab tree and draw a picture and label the tree. In this tree lesson plan, students also write a paragraph explaining why they drew that tree. 
Lesson Plan
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Leapin' Landmarks: Locating 10 Man-made Landmarks Around the World

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders label continents, oceans, and major mountain ranges on maps and use the maps to write an informational report about landmarks. In this landmarks lesson plan, 3rd graders write about 1 major landmark.
Lesson Plan
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Weekly Current Events

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine current events every week. Using the internet, they complete searches about specific events. In groups, they gather information to share with the class and discuss any opposing viewpoints.
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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Reading the Landscape in Children's Literature

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students identify geographical information about landscapes found in student literature, demonstrate an organizing tool, developed around geographical themes, for the recording of information, and share uses of this approach.
Lesson Plan
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The Mesoamerican Mystique

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students gain a better understanding of the cultural diversity in the northern region of Central America. They engage in a lesson which focuses on research, archaeology, historical videos, and travel highlights.
Lesson Plan
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Westward Ho: The Difficulties of Emigrants Moving West

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the journey west of 19th century emigrants. In this pioneer lesson, students read the letters and diaries of a fictitious family traveling on the Oregon Trail. They mark their route on a US map, create a chart showing...
Lesson Plan
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The Mountain Community: Why Flagstaff?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify geographical features that hindered or promoted settlement in the city of Flagstaff, Arizona. In this settlement lesson plan, students write a summary of what they learned and identify geographical features on a map.
Lesson Plan
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Sustainable Development and Canada's Natural Resources

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students use text information, data and graphs to explain what sustainable development is, and to investigate the rate of consumption of Canada's natural resources. In groups, they graph their findings.
Lesson Plan
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The Lorax and Forest Park

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and identify situations where there is a risk to the community. During a class discussion, students predict types of liter they will find in a park. Students take a field trip to the park to collect...
Lesson Plan
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Environmental Issues in the Polar Regions

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Young scholars list environmental problems they are familiar with and check the ones they think affect the polar regions, and they research and answer questions about environmental issues affecting the polar regions. Students discuss...
Lesson Plan
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URBAN WILDERNESS AND PARKS

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Student examine the need for and the problems of wilderness areas which are located close to urban centers. They discuss their concept of wilderness, write down their perceptions and report to the class.
Lesson Plan
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Where Did My Lunch Come From? A U.S. Regional Tour

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the regions from which their food comes. In this social studies lesson, students identify the different agricultural products that are found in the major regions of the United States. Students create a lunch menu.