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Impact of the U.S. Expansion on Indigenous People and Stereotypes About Native American People
The 2004 U.S. bicentennial sparks a discussion about its meaning and importance to United States history. Readings, maps, tables, and reflective writing prompt small groups to explore the westward expansion, Lewis and Clark, and how...
Curated OER
United States Map
Students compare the United States on a globe and on a map. In this map lesson, students relate the sizes of the continents and locate the United States. Students identify the location of the continental US as well as Alaska and Hawaii.
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Using Four Main Directions in the Classroom
Students identify the four cardinal directions. In this map skills geography instructional activity, students use a magnetic compass to label the four directions in the classroom. Students use the four directions to locate objects in the...
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The Gold Rush
Learners identify the routes involved in the Gold Rush on a map. In this map skills lesson, students use a United States map to locate the routes used to travel to California during the Gold Rush. Learners demonstrate how to use the map...
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My Summer Vacation
Students study the United States geography using Google Earth. In this U.S. geography lesson, students create travel journals about five U.S. geographical locations. Students research the human and physical characteristics for each region.
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Bunyans Lesson Plan
Students practice their map skills. In this early childhood lesson plan, students use a map of the United States and identify the location of several natural wonders included in the book The Bunyans by Audrey Wood.
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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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The Underground Railroad
Students explore the Underground Railroad routes. In this map skills and Civil War lesson, students use map and globe reading vocabulary and skills to track the routes the slaves followed from the Bahamas to the United States and from...
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Planting Time
Young scholars research crops grown in the United States. In this agriculture lesson, students identify various crops cultivated across the United States as they create charts and maps that note the information.
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United States Map Quiz
In this online interactive geography quiz learning exercise, students respond to 50 identification questions about the shapes of countries shown. Students have 5 minutes to complete the quiz.
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Globe Lesson 17 - Alaska and Hawaii - Grade 4-5
Students develop their globe skills. In this geography skills lesson plan, students explore the area added to the United States when the Alaskan territory was purchased from Russia.
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Colonies and Revolution: Comparing US and Mexican History
Students examine the emergence of the United States and Mexico as independent nations. They compare the colonial history of the two countries and discover the emergence of social classes.
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Country Capitals
Students locate country capitals on a world map. For this map skills lesson, students review the definition of the word country and discuss what a capital is. Students locate and label capital cities on a world map using a map marker.
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Project Whistlestop:Missouri Vacation Learning Unit
Fourth graders reserach the state of Missouri. In this Missouri History lesson, 4th graders plan a vacation to a region of Missouri. Students work in collaborative groups to determine all aspects of the trip. Students use math...
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Let's Build a Map
Students gain an understanding of maps while studying the map of the Louisiana Purchase and the trail of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. They demonstrate understanding of maps by creating a basic classroom map.
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Map of Town
Third graders draw a map of the town given different sites to locate on the map by the teacher. They explain that latitude and longitude are used to locate places on maps and globes, identify the distinctive physical and cultural...
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Johnny Appleseed Walkabout
Second graders calculate mileage for a journey. In this place value and measurement lesson, 2nd graders read Johnny Appleseed, work in groups to locate his birthplace on a map, locate the other states he stopped in, and measure the...
Curated OER
Plotting a Hurricane Using Latitude and Longitude
Learners define and use "absolute location," latitude, and longitude. They locate on a map or globe the Earth's poles, circles, tropics, and beginning points of measurements for latitude and longitude.
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Immigration and Ellis Island
Fourth graders explore family histories. In this social studies lesson plan, 4th graders identify the countries from which their ancestors came and locate them on a map. Students discuss the role that Ellis Island played in immigration...
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Countries of the World
Students define the meaning of the word country. In this countries of the world map lesson, students identify boundaries, countries, and symbols within countries on the map. Students distinguish the words country and continent.
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Climate Patterns across the United States
Students articulate differences between climate and weather using examples in a written statement. Using climate data from across the country, they describe climate patterns for various parts of the United States on a map. Students...
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Holocaust Map Studies
Students analyze maps and answer discussion questions related to WWI. In this geography lesson, students analyze historic maps to determine causes and effects of WWI in Europe. Students read testimonies of Holocaust survivors and label...
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Colonial Maps
Students discover the history of America by identifying the traditional colonies. In this U.S. history lesson plan, students examine a world map and identify where the voyagers left from Europe to arrive at the United States. ...
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Take Me Out To the Ball Game
Students use a map to graph and locate major league teams of different sports. In groups, they analyze the population data of the United States and compare it with the amount and location of the major league teams. They share their...