National Endowment for the Humanities
Hopi Place Names
What's in a name? Historians consider the question as they examine places important to the Hopi people and the meanings of their place names. Included worksheets include maps and charts to help class members examine the geography of Hopi...
DocsTeach
Lewis and Clark's Expedition to the Complex West
Lewis and Clark's famous expedition is a prime example of the United States' westward expansion. Aspiring historians examine maps from Lewis and Clark's journey, as well as discuss their interactions with Native American tribes. The...
Curated OER
Facts, Fictions and Perceptions of Regions
Students examine the different characteristics of the regions of the United States. They discuss places they have visited in the U.S., and in small groups conduct research on a selected region of the U.S. Each group labels a map of...
Curated OER
Regions of the USA
Fourth graders research the physical characteristics of the four regions of the United States. In this geography lesson, 4th graders research the four regions and use a quilt square organizer to record notes. Students complete the quilt...
Curated OER
Run/Walk Across America
Walk, jog, or run across America. Maps of individual states, visual progress, competition, and rewards, seem to be great motivational ideas. Make sure that the distances that each class has to walk or run are the same, because getting...
Curated OER
USA: Physical Map
In this United States physical map worksheet, students investigate the major landforms and bodies of water located throughout the country.
Curated OER
Maps
If your students are just starting a unit on Geography this could be the introduction you're looking for. This PowerPoint presents a clear and organized overview of the different types of maps people use and why each is important. Tip:...
Association of American Geographers
Project GeoSTART
Investigate the fascinating, yet terrifying phenomenon of hurricanes from the safety of your classroom using this earth science unit. Focusing on developing young scientists' spacial thinking skills, these lessons engage...
Curated OER
Solving the Puzzle
Students create a map showing the United States borders at a specific period in history and produce three questions to be answered by examining the map. They also write a productive paragraph explaining who, what, when, where, how/why a...
Curated OER
Data Comparison And Interpretation: North Korea, South Korea, And the United States
Ninth graders brainstorm "what they know about North Korea and South Korea." They determine the approximate distance from the United States to North and South Korea and create a graph comparing the birth rates, death rates, infant...
Curated OER
United States Map- Land Elevation
Students explore a physical map. In this map skills activity, students discuss examples of elevation and investigate the symbols used to identify elevation on a map. Students use the map to identify various land elevations.
Curated OER
The Influence of Physical Geography
Students explore the limits and demands of their physical world and how it relates to the survival and well-being of people.
Curated OER
States and Capitals Activity
Students explore states and capitals. In this U.S. geography instructional activity, students practice locomotor skills playing Freeze Tag. Students generate the matching capital when given a specific state name in order to...
Curated OER
An Exploration of Cradle-to-Cradle Design Thinking
Introduce cradle-to-cradle design thinking. Scholars first discuss the importance of natural laws and rights. They then use a variety of online and print resources to research eco-efficiency and cradle-to-cradle design.
Curated OER
England: Discover a World of Culture and History
England is a very interesting country full of cultural and historical geography. Here is an impressive collection of lessons that will familiarize your students with England's cultural and historical geography. The activities presented...
Curated OER
Where is Kansas?
Students explore U.S. Geography by analyzing a map. In this state vs. country lesson, students utilize a U.S. map and locate the state of Kansas before researching the history and customs of the state. Students collaborate as a class to...
Curated OER
Maps Can Help Us
First graders explore the geography of Montana by analyzing geographic maps of the area. In this Native American reservation lesson, 1st graders discuss the similarities and differences between reservations in the state of Montana....
Curated OER
U.S. Geography: The Northeast
Young scholars investigate U.S. Geography by creating a map in class. In this natural resource lesson, students create a map of the United States and research the Northeast based on their resources and recyclable materials. Young...
Curated OER
United States Geography and Topography
Fifth graders recognize the major regions of the US while reading a map. Students study the physical features of the US. Student research and report on states and their capitols.
Curated OER
Using Different Kinds of Maps
Third graders explore the landforms and population diversity. They read maps and examine geographic terms. Students create their own map of the United States and answer questions about the location of people. After exploring the map, 3rd...
Newspaper Association of America
Cereal Bowl Science and Other Investigations with the Newspaper
What do cereal, fog, and space shuttles have to do with newspapers? A collection of science investigations encourage critical thinking using connections to the various parts of the newspaper. Activities range from building origami seed...
Curated OER
My Summer Vacation
Students study the United States geography using Google Earth. In this U.S. geography instructional activity, students create travel journals about five U.S. geographical locations. Students research the human and physical...
Curated OER
Lights On ! Lights Off! Exploring Human Settlement Patterns
Third graders write informational paragraphs based on the settlement patterns of the United States. In this settlement lesson plan, 3rd graders read about population and how it affects where people settle next.
Curated OER
Geography of the United States
Students examine the population growth of the United States. In this Geography lesson, students construct a map of the fifty states. Students create a graph of the population of the USA.