Curated OER
People Change the Landscape
Students examine ways in which humans have brought change to the natural environment.  In this ecology and literacy instructional activity, students listen to the book Island Boy by Barbara Cooney. Students observe and define map-reading...
Curated OER
Mapmaking
Students examine the craft of cartography and how the Lewis and Clark expedition created and used maps.  They analyze maps, read a handout, create a map, participate in a mini expedition and map out a route based on travel directions,...
Curated OER
Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map!
Students evaluate the different types of historical and geographical information that one can gather through close study of historical maps from the 16th through the 19th centuries. They create their own maps.
Curated OER
Map the Civil War
Students explore the Civil War through original maps.  In this mapping lesson, students calculate distance and show it on an original map. Students examine the type of landscape and its landmarks and draw symbols on the map.
Curated OER
Using a Concept Definition Map
Young scholars define "natural disaster" by offering examples and charting them to discover what a concept definition map is. Then students create their own maps using the word "city".
Curated OER
Trouble With Trolls
Students listen to The Trouble With Trolls and discuss fables.  In this story elements lesson, students work on reading skills.  Students participate in different reading activities.
Curated OER
Working With Electronic Topography Maps
Junior geologists examine topographic maps online and learn how to read them. they answer seven associated follow-up questions. This lesson plan is only a general outline and does not provide the details or the websites that you...
Mary Pope Osborne, Classroom Adventures Program
Mummies in the Morning Egyptian pyramids, hieroglyphics
Visit the Magic Treehouse and take your class on a trip through time with a reading of the children's book Mummies in the Morning. Using the story to spark an investigation into Egyptian culture, this literature unit engages...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Refugees from the Caribbean: Cuban and Haitian “Boat People”
Should refugees fleeing poverty be allowed the same entrance into the United States as those fleeing persecution? High schoolers read about US foreign policy in the late 20th century regarding refugees from Cuba and Haiti, and engage in...
PHET
Mapping the Ambient Magnetic Field
No GPS allowed! High school scientists continue to explore magnetic fields with a hands-on activity. After mapping the ambient magnetic field in the classroom and completing data analysis, they write about the similarities and...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
The Battle of Trenton
The Continental Army's victory at the Battle of Trenton marked a turning point in the American Revolution. Young historians examine maps, read primary source materials, and create a timeline of events to understand why the victory was so...
Curated OER
Using Color as a Pre-Writing Tool
To better understand how to compose a clear and well-organized paper, learners read short passages, write summaries, and make colored graphic organizers. This is a fully developed three-day lesson with suggested assessments.
Curated OER
Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589
Students investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages.  In this geography lesson plan, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited.  Students create an...
Curated OER
Reshaping the Nation
Students learn why the census makes a difference. In this U.S. Census lesson plan, students learn how to read and use a cartogram while they explore new ways to represent data.
Curated OER
Places on the Planet: Latitude and Longitude
Students locate different places on globes and maps by learning about latitude and longitude lines. In this latitude and longitude lesson plan, students identify specific locations based on the degrees of latitude and longitude.
Curated OER
Is the Hudson River Too Salty to Drink?
Students explore reasons for varied salinity in bodies of water.  In this geographical inquiry lesson, students use a variety of visual and written information including maps, data tables, and graphs, to form a hypothesis as to why the...
Curated OER
Reading a Local and National Weather Map
Students investigate weather maps. In this weather lesson, students discover the meaning of different weather icons and symbols. Working independently, students use the local forecast to correctly label a state map.
Curated OER
Map Skills
Students construct a road map using map pieces precut by the teacher. They apply geometric terms such as rotation and turns. Students apply the use of ordinal directions. They apply a variety of map keys.
Curated OER
"Potato Mountain": Reading/Understanding Topographic Maps
Middle schoolers investigate how to read topographic maps.  In this map reading lesson plan students complete a topographic map activity. 
Curated OER
Reading the newspaper
Middle schoolers read articles related to local, state, national, and world events using word maps.
Curated OER
Learning About the Map's Legend
Students draw a map of a room in their house and place a legend on it. They explain the legend orally.
Curated OER
Introduction to the United States Map
Students identify a map of the United States. In this United States map lesson, students study a map of the United States and find various locations on the map. Students then locate and list the state that touches their state.
Curated OER
Treaties
Learners explore Canadian maps. In this map skills and Canadian history lesson plan, students locate reserves that originated from treaties made while establishing the Saskatchewan First Nation reserve communities. Learners research...
Curated OER
Science Inquiry Lesson: Mapping Project
Students explore the methods of creating maps. They create a map of Animas River Park using a compass and measuring tape, develop a single map from the team map sections, and devise another map of the Animas River Park using a GPS unit.