Curated OER
TE Activity: The Trouble with Topos
Students study the uses of topographical maps including the many forms that they take. They discover that the map features show its intended use such as city maps, wilderness maps, and state maps. They complete a worksheet in which they...
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In Mr. Lincoln's Shoes
Students demonstrate basic map skills. In this US history lesson, students review cardinal directions and use a compass rose while at the same time discuss what life was like for Abraham Lincoln.
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Native American Homelands
Students discuss the Navajo, Sioux, and Iroquois tribes, noting their distinctive characteristics. They trace the homeland of each of the tribes on maps and create map keys. Students explain how they developed their map keys.
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Finding Your Way
Students work in small groups to practice basic map skills. They take turns giving directions and tracing a path from one location to different destinations on the map.
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Are We There Yet?
Students discover how to use maps and why they are important when using a map. They calculate distance using a map scale and time using travel speed and a map scale.
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Follow the Light
Students investigate the role of lighthouses in navigation and practice the use of cardinal directions through reading activities, discussion, locating geographical features, and mapping lighthouses along the east coast of the United...
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Treasure Hunt
Students find lost "treasure" using a treasure map after being shown a map that you have created where terms and symbols are discussed. The class is divided into small groups where they locate your treasure and then read a section from...
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Cardinal Directions
Students explore cardinal directions. In this social studies lesson, students create maps of home and school using the cardinal directions.
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Going, Going, Ghost
Third graders research ghost towns. In this geography lesson, 3rd graders locate ghost towns on a map and choose one location to research. Students construct a research paper and present it to the class.
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Put Me in My Place: Using Alphanumeric Grids to Locate Places
Learners practice locating points on a large wall grid and create and label a neighborhood map. For this geography lesson, students spell and discuss places as the teacher places them on the map. They discuss the concept of an...
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Capitals, Oceans, And Border States
Young scholars investigate geography by completing games with classmates. In this United States of America lesson, students examine a map of North America and identify the borders of Mexico and Canada as well as the Pacific and Atlantic....
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Orienteering II
Students name the parts of a compass and comprehend the function of each part. They define paces and tallies and use them in a real world situation. Students are shown the proper use of radio terminology. They use a map and compass to...
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Mapping with a Compass: A Simulated Survey
Students use compasses and grids to map the locations of artifacts found in a simulated dig site. In groups, they role-play as future archeologists excavating a school site. Groups begin at their assigned datum and site the artifacts...
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Using Map Skills
Third graders study maps. In this U.S. geography lesson, 3rd graders explore directions on a compass rose and use a map scale to determine distances between two points on a map. They listen to a lecture and use their own maps to practice...
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Making a Region Map of a State
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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Regions of Utah - Mapping
Fourth graders draw a rudimentary map of the state of Utah, dividing it into the three regions: the Great Basin, the Colorado Plateau, and the Rocky Mountain Region.
Science Matters
Finding the Epicenter
The epicenter is the point on the ground above the initial point of rupture. The 10th instructional activity in a series of 20 encourages scholars to learn to triangulate the epicenter of an earthquake based on the arrival times of...
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Which Way Is North?
Students investigate the concept of finding locations with the use of a compass and a map. They practice the skill of bearing and set up courses of travel to different destinations around the school grounds. Students also practice taking...
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Putting the World in Perspective
Students work in small groups to: make a mental map of the world by tearing paper shapes of the seven continents and locating them on a flat surface in their relative positions, compare their finished mental map to a reference world map,...
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Our 50 States
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...
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Direction and Angle: Positions and Directions
This is an interesting mix of concepts. Half of this presentation provides double-digit addition and subtraction practice and the other half has students discuss cardinal directions and right angles. Use these together, or use them on...
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Leaf, Tree and Prairie Study
Students are introduced to the topic of Botany and the process of photosynthesis. Using various habitats, they research the amount of destruction it is facing and how to solve the problem. They make a leaf booklet with leaves they find...
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Cardinal and Ordinal Directions
Students use a compass to locate cardinal and ordinal directions. In small groups, they describe and create a journey for their classmates using their compass. Groups create a scale map for their classmates to follow and relate this...
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Where in the World? The Basics of Latitude and Longitude
Students are introduced to the concepts of latitude and longitude. In groups, they identify the Earth's magnetic field and the disadvantages of using compasses for navigation. They identify the major lines of latitude and longitude on a...