Curated OER
Burp Under the Ice
Pupils examine the impact of climate warming on Arctic methane deposits. They identify natural methane processes and describe how this contributes to species extinction. They write reports on their findings.
Curated OER
Thar She Blows
Students discover the effects of El Nino on the global climate. As a class, they role play the role of a cold or warm wind and act out a skit in front of the class. They discuss the results of the role play once it is completed.
Curated OER
Maps as Models of Earth
Eighth graders use different types of maps to find locations and surface features. In this map-reading lesson students use a compass to find direction.
Curated OER
Who Dropped What into the Melting Pot?
Students show the movement of people to the United States from other countries on maps. They study the geographic cultural roots of foods that contribute to the melting pot of food in America. They research where an ingredient comes from...
Curated OER
Maize to Maquiladoras: Movement from Mexico to Arizona
Students label maps of Arizona and Mexico of the products that moved from one place to another. In this Arizona and Mexico lesson plan, students also summarize the effects of the movement on life in Arizona.
Curated OER
Axis and Allies World War II Simulation
Students investigate World War II through the computer game Axis and Allies. They discuss the basics of World War II before playing the game, spend eight weeks playing the game that is a simulation of World War II, and write a report...
Curated OER
The Railroad Booms!
Students discover how the railroads contributed to the interdependence between farms and towns. Using the railroads, they describe the effect of them on western settlement and the relationship between their location and the availability...
Curated OER
Celebrate Beef
Students read about the history of cattle, discover new technologies, and fill out worksheets about cattle use. In this cattle lesson plan, students identify states that raise cattle and draw pictures of how cattle is used.
Curated OER
Trading Faces
Students use addition to determine values of coin combinations. They play a game where they come up with possible trades: two nickels for a dime and complete a tally worksheet. There are other lessons in this unit.
Curated OER
Can You Make It? Using Natural Resources to Survive
Seventh graders describe the natural resources used to make the tools and weapons which best suited the needs of the Cherokee Indians. They will collect information regarding the making of a tool or weapon, and then explain to others...
Curated OER
Athabaskan Migration & Bering Strait
Students examine the various migration patterns of the Athabaskan. In groups, they discuss the Bering Strait Land Bridge theory of migration and take notes on a lecture from their teacher. To end the instructional activity, they...
Curated OER
Mapping Population Changes In The United States
Students create a choropleth map to illustrate the population growth rate of the United States. They explore how to construct a choropleth map, and discuss the impact of population changes for the future.
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Ninth graders examine the goals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and identify the present day cities, towns, rivers, and regions that are on the route of the expedition. They complete an online WebQuest, recreating the route of the...
Curated OER
As Simple as Beans: Canada's Population
Students gather facts about Canada from various maps. In this Canada lesson plan, students use beans to relate the populations of the U.S. and Canada. Students create population distribution maps based on the placement of the beans.
Curated OER
Brother Against Brother
Eighth graders read Across Five Aprils and correlate it to a unit on the Civil War. They culminate the unit by writing a a piece of historical fiction in the first person entitled "Brother Against Brother."
Curated OER
The Search for the Northwest Passage
Third graders listen to lectures and research the motivations and history of the Spanish, French and English explorers searching for the Northwest Passage to India. They trace routes on maps and consider how these explorers helped shaped...
Curated OER
A Brief History of Los Angeles
Pupils study the diverse cultures that make up the population of Los Angeles.
Curated OER
"Trails, Rails, and Roads" Lesson 2: Road Tripping
Students practice map skills and take a virtual road trip through Maine examining the history of transportation. They create questions from the information they learned and play a game against other groups.
Curated OER
Why Do You Live Where You Do?
Eighth graders identify reasons why settlers bought land from the railroad and not a Homestead grant. Using that information, they compare and contrast the types of land given in each situation. They discuss the reasons why given...
Curated OER
Australian Travel Adventure
Seventh graders are introduced to the states and territories within Australia. Using the internet, they bookmark sites and take notes on what they want to share with their classmates. They also complete a map study on the country to...
Curated OER
Trekking to Timbuktu
Pupils view a television show to provide a context for conducting research into the location and culture of Timbuktu. The students complete a report on the subject in the form of a research paper.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Urban Models in the Real World
By using Google Earth and city road maps, students will compare the layout of their city to one of the three North American urban models and see which one is the best fit.