Introduce your class to map projections and coordinates, the basics for the work done in a GIS, with an activity that uses Google Earth to challenge learners to think about the earth's shape. 

After viewing a short video about a climb up Mount Everest, high schoolers read about triangulation for measuring distant elevations. Have your class work in groups to construct an inclinometer and then use it to measure the height of...

Use this multidisciplinary lesson to delve into these subjects: English language arts, math, science, drama, and character education. After reading, discussing, and making interpretations about Go To Sleep, Gecko!: A Balinese...

Students map local places and learn to use scale and distance.  In this mapping lesson, students map their school and a favorite place.  Students recreate their maps showing distance and scale sizes. Students locate their...

Students examine how Earth's rotation causes daily cycles in solar energy using a microset of satellite data to investigate the Earth's daily radiation budget and locating map locations using latitude and longitude coordinates.

Students compare the change in snow and ice over a 10 year period. In this environmental science lesson, students use the live data on the NASA site to study and compare the monthly snow and ice amounts on a map of the entire...

Students examine two- and three-dimensional shapes, and discuss map skills and attributes. They plan and create their own school campus maps using pre-cut building site shapes.

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...

Students use maps to locate information. They read the story, "It Looked Like Spilt Milk", view images of the continents and discuss the various continents. Afterward, they make their own Atlas to record information that they can later...

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...

Second graders use latitude and longitude coordinates to pinpoint an exact location on the map. In this geography lesson, 2nd graders utilize handouts from the Maritime Museum in order to gain practice in finding locations throughout the...

Learners explore ruby-throated hummingbirds.  In this cross-curricular hummingbirds activity, students listen to the book The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds and choose related topics to research with a partner. Learners draw or...

Students use maps, scales, and describe locations in order to learn about spatial sense. In this spatial sense lesson plan, students participate in many activities for this spatial sense unit that should last throughout the year.

First graders complete activities related to they story they are reading in class. Through art and measurement activities, 1st graders relate a story from the "Tacky the Penguin Series" to everyday objects and ideas they encounter.

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...

Here is a fantastic, nine-page, multi-session lesson plan on the Zia Sun Symbol (found on the New Mexico state flag), and the seasons of the Earth. Everything you need to implement the lesson is here, and the many engaging activities are...

Students analyze the effects of time zone differences on how we function as a global community, focusing particularly on the turn of the millennium as a way for students to calculate time zone differences.

Fifth graders locate different time zones. In this time zones instructional activity, 5th graders label the different time zones. Students research the different ways man has kept time throughout history. Students also compute the...

Sinking ships, construction paper, coordinate planes, sounds like fun day in math class. Play the game Battleship with your class and reinforce the concept of graphing ordered pairs.

Students organize and analyze data regarding changes in tropospheric ozone and then hypothesize about the consequences of these changes.

Students calculate the time difference between Beijing, China and their local community. They discuss how time difference affects intercultural communication.

Students examine graphs to find the most appropriate for various kinds of data.  In this graphing lesson, student create bar, line and circle graphs.  Students create graphs electronically and manually interpreting the data.

Students are introduced to tall tales. In this introductory tall tales unit, students explore the tall tales of Casey Jones and Johnny Appleseed. This unit includes many interdisciplinary lessons including graphing skills and geography.

Students consider the concept of scale models. In this scale lesson, students compare the sizes of various every day toys to the sizes of the larger objects they represent.