Lesson Plan
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Western Expansion and Native Americans

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research the Oregon, Old Spanish, California, and Mormon trails, and the impact western expansion had on the Native Americans living on those lands.
Lesson Plan
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Geography: Why Is the Sacremento Valley a Good Place to Grow Rice?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders locate the Sacramento Valley in California where rice is grown. In this rice growing location lesson, 3rd graders locate the Sacremento Valley, California on a map, and color the mountain ranges and terrain that is around...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Various Regions of Boyle Heights: Continuity and Change

For Teachers 3rd
Student study the local landscape of Boyle Heights, California and draw a sketch of the area. Students use map making skills in this activity. Studient make a portfolio of information and photographs they accumulate over time on the area.
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The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812: Shaking Our Misconceptions about Earthquakes in United States History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students Examine how earthquakes work and what plate tectonics and fault lines are.  In this earthquake lesson plan students complete an earthquake scavenger hunt.
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States of Fitness

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students participate in physical activities coordinating to divisions on a map.
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The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush: Native American Life

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read," The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola and discuss the way legends are passed down orally. They then create their own legend and illustrate it on a simulated "Buffalo Skin" made from brown paper.
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Earthquakes on the Surface

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students view topographic or relief maps of Southern California and discuss what they see. They make predictions based on the topography of the region.
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Diversity

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students work in groups to research and prepare an oral report about a region.  In this regions lesson, students find out about the geography, population, state capitals, and landmarks.  Students assign attributes to the people...
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...
Lesson Plan
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San Francisco Explodes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate why San Francisco grew so quickly during the Gold Rush. They
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Where Does It Come from?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students read articles about various agricultural products and create a map using the statistics in the article.  In this agricultural statistics lesson, students look at the geography of the country and which products come from the...
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Medieval African Kingdoms

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the geography and political history of West Africa. They role-play as applicants to a company that transports customers to any historic time period. Working in teams, they create promotional products encouraging...
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My Summer Vacation

For Teachers 7th - 8th
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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Wind Circulation, Surface Currents and Climate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe connections between wind patterns, surface currents, and ocean climate zones. In small groups, they color the ocean climate zones in four different shades of blue. Students then answer questions like what four...
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Get to Know Your City

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research the history of their home city and how it's development was influenced by different groups of people. They present their research information to the class.
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Across Five Aprils

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to the novel "Across Five Aprils" written by Irene Hunt. They become familiar with the people, places, and events referenced in the story and comprehend the story of the Civil War. Students are given a...
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Gray Whales on the Move

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars study whale migration and their natural history.  In this migration lesson students plot whale migration on a map and describe their ecosystems. 
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From Sea to Shining Sea

For Teachers 5th
Students study the geography of the United States of America. Students write letters, create travel brochures, make maps, graph population numbers, read fiction and nonfiction selections, complete KWL charts, and watch films.
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Earth Science: In Depth Look at Earthquakes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils engage in an interactive Internet lesson covering the reasons and results of earthquakes. After reading eyewitness accounts and viewing animations, they use seismograms to measure and locate the epicenters. In an ongoing study,...
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Idaho Earthquakes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the types of earthquakes that occur in Idaho. In groups, they compare and contrast the types of energy released and how they affect the movement of the Earth. To end the instructional activity, they analyze a map...
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Water World

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the various steps of the water cycle. They identify the three steps in the water cycle and how they are related. Students describe three ways to conserve water. Students explore the origin of the water source that...
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Lesson 6: Native Americans in the West

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars recall their knowledge of Native American people who lived in the West and reflect on how their perspectives differed from pioneers and argonauts of the 19th century.
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Choose Your Own Soil Adventure

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders will use a soil survey to make management decisions and by interpreting geologic maps. The importance of different soil types is discussed and the implications of how soil can be useful for our communities.
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The Stolen Smell

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read the story The Stolen Smell, and complete language arts activities based on the book. In this The Stolen Smell lesson plan, 3rd graders complete activities such as discussion, reading, researching, drawing, role...