Lesson Plan
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Natural Features as a Resource

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scholars research how people use land and water features to meet their basic needs. In this natural features lesson, students review land and water features. Young scholars discuss how the land is used to meet needs using a...
Lesson Plan
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students use maps, readings, drawings, plans and photos to research and the importance of canals in the early industrial economy of America. They consider the development of the Potomac River Canal and research early transportation methods.
Lesson Plan
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Geography: Map Making

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students, working in groups, share notes and maps collected during a study of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They draw large composite maps of the western United States on butcher paper including land formations, bodies of water, and...
Lesson Plan
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Find the Way

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, after discussing different places to visit and being given a map of Indiana, draw the route to his/her destination within Indiana. They tell the directions in their own words and formulate pertinent questions to ask along...
Lesson Plan
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San Francisco Bay Watershed

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils locate important landmarks on a map and explore the watersheds in California. In this watershed instructional activity students complete a worksheet and discuss what they learned. 
Lesson Plan
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Marquette and Joliet Explore the Mississippi in 1673

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students locate and name the St. Lawrence River, the five Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River on a modern map. They find Quebec, Michilimackinac, Wisconsin, and Chicago on that map. They find the same places on a 1681 map.
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Understanding Watersheds

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students should learn how their actions on land can affect the water quality of lakes and rivers.
Lesson Plan
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Twain: Steamboat's a-Comin'

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discover how rivers inspire creative expression.  In this Mark Twain lesson, students list songs about rivers and discuss common characteristics. They locate the Mississippi River on a map and write a script in which a...
Lesson Plan
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Mining Riches

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and map how various mining ventures have changed local geographies and populations. First they read the article provided--Examining the Environmental and Social Impact of the Mining Industry.
Lesson Plan
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Where Is Japan? How Are We Alike And Different?

For Teachers 1st
First graders use literature, maps, and globes to explain how physical environments in various parts of the world are similar to and different from one's own, and that certain areas have common characteristics and can be called regions.
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How To Find a Site

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify the three basic needs of humans. They identify on a map the best places to live and make a list of items that they can find on a map - streams, river, hills, plains, forests, etc.
Lesson Plan
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Shipping on the Hudson

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students track movements of ships, tugboats, and barges on the Hudson River estuary in order to practice addition and subtraction skills. They solve word problems by reading and interpreting data from a table. They calculate distances...
Lesson Plan
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Physical Geography of Africa

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the topography of Africa.  For this physical geography lesson, 5th graders research the six regions of Africa and complete a physical map.  Students locate various landforms in Africa.  Students...
Lesson Plan
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Michigan Food: From Farm to You

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students recognize Michigan on a map and understand how its climate is affected by the Great Lakes. In this Michigan food lesson plan, students play a trivia game to identify the produce of Michigan. Students relate the climate in each...
Lesson Plan
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Cadron Settlement and the Trail of Tears

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the reason for removal of the Cherokee and other Indian nations. They map the water route of the Trail of Tears from its origination in the east and through the Arkansas River Valley to Indian Territory.
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You be the Tour Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the natural features and wildlife of Arizona and Utah. They draw a map of the region that includes rivers, towns, mountains and roads. They work together to create a travel brochure of the area.
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Importance of Water

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students complete a KWL chart on what they comprehend about water. They complete a water activity determining how much usable water is available, and they determine the water usage in their households. Students take notes on water and...
Lesson Plan
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Around the World in 5 Days

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore continents, draw map, discuss cultures, use research to learn geography, and investigate cultures.
Lesson Plan
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Field Trip to Mammoth Cave

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students, when given a microscope or a camera, write two observations they have seen using technology that they did not see with just their eyes with 100% accuracy. When given a blank map, they mark the location of Mammoth Cave along...
Lesson Plan
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Estuary and Watershed

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the San Francisco Bay Estuarine Research Reserve and watershed. In this estuary and watershed lesson plan, students complete 4 activities to better understand estuarine systems. They include studying the San...
Unit Plan
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Confucius Say... China Old

For Teachers 2nd
Students locate China on the map. In this Chinese geography, history and culture lesson, students read literature about China. Students participate in paper making, silk making and lantern making activities.
Lesson Plan
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Landforms: Geomorphology of Arkansas

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders create large, salt dough maps of Arkansas and the natural regions in the state created by geographical and morphological features.
Lesson Plan
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China - the Geography of European Imperialism - Spheres of Influence in China

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders create a map of China. They identify the various spheres of influence carved out by the Imperialist powers of Europe as well as locating geographical features of china and major cities. They explain the global impact of...
Lesson Plan
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Watersheds: The San Francisco Bay Watershed

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders make a model of a watershed. In this geography lesson, 6th graders view a shaded relief map of California and locate landmarks. Students examine the San Francisco Bay Watershed by following the journey of water through...