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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rivers Run Through It

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Using a relief map of New York State, learners answer questions about the distance between different cities, identify bodies of water, and more. First, they discuss vocabulary related to the Hudson River area. Then, they complete a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Hudson in 1609

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
While this lesson focuses on a study of the Hudson River, it could be used as a template for a discussion of map skills, converting measurements, and plotting a route. The lesson includes vocabulary and other resources to make it a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 3 Activity 1: On the Trail of Knowledge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot the earthquake epicenter data on the base map of the North Atlantic ocean floor using different symbols or colors to characterize different values.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What do Maps Show?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders practice the skill of reading maps.  In this geography lesson plan, 8th graders participate in a classroom lecture on how to read a map. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Calculating Distance On Maps

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders determine the mileage from the local community to various scenic attractions in the Four-Corners-Region. They receive direct instruction and carry out activities in cooperative group settings.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Me on the Map Lesson 1

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use maps, globes, geographic information systems and other sources of information to analyze the nature of places at a variety of scales. They identify on a map and determine the population of the city, county, state, country...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drawing A Map

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss any information they already know about maps. As a class, they draw a map of a park following written directions making sure to include a compass rose and key. They are graded based on a rubric and discuss the need for...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map It With Pixie

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use the computer program 'Pixie' to create a topographic, detailed map for the state they live in. In this mapping skills lesson, 4th graders use Pixie to make a map of their state that includes topographic features, state...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Crash Scene

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore geography by participating in a mapping activity. In this engineering lesson, 5th graders identify the differences between latitude and longitude and practice locating precise points on a globe or map. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geo-Journaling with CNN

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students organize daily news with this journaling activity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: The Trouble with Topos

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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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Lesson Plan
Edgate

Great Grids

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Learners use grid boxes as a measurement tool and discover how grids are used for mapmaking and scaling down an area. They begin by attempting to draw a model shape drawn by the teacher by using the gridding process. At the conclusion of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Generate an Accurate Landscape Profile from a Topographic Map

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners enerate an accurate landscape profile from a topographic map. They determine the correct interval needed to accurately graph the change in elevation on a single piece of graph paper.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Early American Culture

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify the locations of the Hopewell culture. In this map skills instructional activity, students use a globe to mark several locations of the Hopewell culture.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Landscape of a Novel

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students, after reading a novel, utilize geographic skills to map out the places described in the novel. They collect data, envision spatial features and then design a map to work off of to complete their assignment. Each student also...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

China Quest

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Read and research information on China. Young researchers complete a knowledge hunt about China then locate and describe each location using directional words. They recognize the word meaning through context clues and application practice.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Map Skills

For Teachers 3rd
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages.  In this geography lesson, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited.  Middle schoolers create an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Geography

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a map of their own neighborhood to show the relationships between the geography of the neighborhood and its economy and culture. They view and discuss an introductory video on how geographers study an area then go out...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Current Events, Geography

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students read the newspaper to become aware of what is happening in their city, state, nation, and world. They summarize, find locations on a map and ask thought-provoking questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping India

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students participate in an activity in which they place placards listing geographic features, landmarks, etc. in the correct place on a large fabric map of a given country. They also examine artifacts, photos, sounds/music, etc. from...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Is Japan? How Far Is That?

For Teachers 1st
First graders use literature and hands-on activities with maps and globes to explain distance and tools used to measure distance. They select tools to measure various objects in the classroom, then apply those concepts to their map...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playground Mapping

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students review their physical models of the objects on their playground at school. Using the model, they convert it into a map with a scale and key. To end the lesson, they use the map to locate different objects and measure the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waldseemuller's Map: World 1507

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders analyze various maps.  In this Geography lesson, 7th graders create a large map as a whole class.  Students write a letter to Mr. Waldseemuller.