Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars locate Japan on a globe, name the major physical features, and describe the physical environment. They survey the differences and similarities between the life and culture of Japanese young people and American young people.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arkansas State Mineral: Quartz Mineral

For Teachers 7th - 8th
The quartz crystals found in the mountains of Arkansas are among the purest and clearest in the world! This lesson has middle schoolers focus on this state mineral of Arkansas as they study the state's geography. A fun game is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Place Called Nepal

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students investigate maps of Nepal and then create their own to disover how human activity is influenced by terrain and climate. Students participate in a trek across Nepal simulation to imagine the challenges people have to face...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

One Grain at a Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate deserts. In this geography lesson, students create a KWL chart about deserts and research information on deserts by using reference books. Middle schoolers record the characteristics of deserts and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Utah: Geography

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students research the different geographical regions and landforms in Utah.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography and Architecture

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students discuss how terrain and climate affect the design of houses and commercial structures and thus influence the way architects design buildings in this elementary lesson plan.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Those Who Have Come Before Me

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Class members are transformed into explorers as they work in groups to locate hidden items and map their journey along the way. They then leave clues for other groups of learners to follow, and ultimately discover how past explorations...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Watching Crystals Grow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystic Lands: Maya: Messages in Stone

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore an ancient Mayan city. In this world history lesson, students watch a video about the ancient Mayan civilization, discussing information prior to and after watching the video. Students then come to understand more about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Little Island

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners engage in a lesson plan which features a video trip to the Caribbean Island of Montserrat to teach about the human and physical characteristics of place and human/environmental interactions between the two. Students create their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock-a-bye Babies in a Wetland

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students review the way human babies grow and what type of care they need. Using the internet, they are introduced to five different wetland habitat animals and how their babies grow. They discover how they are born and what the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Find a Cave

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students locate their own communites and the nearest caves on a United States map. They calculate the distance to the nearest cave using rough scale.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map-Making Basics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars study maps. In this geography and art lesson plan, students create their own map of the classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regional Landforms and Native People

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study the Native American tribes of Maidu and Miwok by studying Internet artifacts, culture, language, music, storytelling, architecture, food, clothing, crafts and geology.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 7th
Students study the diversity of marine life and their habitats.  In this aquatic ecosystems lesson students complete a lab activity and experiment. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Water Resources

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students build a model aquifer to study groundwater zones and water table formation. Students use the models to measure the movement of polluted groundwater.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arkansas History Lesson Plant One: Play-Do Soto

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete a variety of projects to learn about Arkansas history. In this Arkansas lesson plan, 5th graders go on a field trip to a state park, explore an Arkansas map, put play-dough on the trail of De Soto, color regions of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Middle East: Land of Contrasts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the ancient city of Petra. In this Middle East activity, students watch "The Royal Tour of Jordan," and then discuss the history of Petra. Middle schoolers conduct research on selected sites in the city and use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Features of Our Community

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read about and discuss natural features of communities. They listen to a guest speaker, such as a park ranger to expand their knowledge of natural features. They go on a field trip, if possible, to a local zoo or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Characteristics of Africa

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students describe basic land features and characteristics that make up the continent of Africa, describe the people of Africa, where they live, and how they live and get a sense of what it is like to live in Africa.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Remains of the Day

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners consider how archaeologists discovered and pieced together artifacts that indicate a Celtic presence in ancient Turkey. They research ancient civilizations and create archaeological digs containing items representative of these...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cleverest Thief

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore a folktale from India. In this folktale lesson, 2nd graders read the book The Cleverest Thief and discuss how the monks felt in the story. Students complete a cloze activity sheet. There are several extensions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dark and Beautiful Caves

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students research how caves form. They describe the major stone formations in caves by taking notes. They construct a clay model of a cave and mark each formation making it easy to identify in the legend.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan on Australian Aborigines

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the nomadic lifestyle of the Aborigines both before and after the arrival fo the Europeans. They identify the roles of men and women, languages and number of tribes. They act out skits based on the lesson plan.