National Wildlife Federation
Quantifying Land Changes Over Time Using Landsat
"Humans have become a geologic agent comparable to erosion and [volcanic] eruptions ..." Paul J. Crutzen, a Nobel Prize-winning atmospheric chemist. Using Landsat imagery, scholars create a grid showing land use type, such as urban,...
Science 4 Inquiry
Edible Plate Tectonics
Many people think they can't observe plate tectonics, but thanks to GPS, we know that Australia moves at a rate of 2.7 inches per year, North America at 1 inches per year, and the Pacific plate at more than 3 inches per year! Scholars...
Curated OER
Relief Maps
Learners study geographical maps and their functions. For this geography lesson students work in groups to build a map to scale.
Curated OER
Building a Scale Model
Third graders create a model of the solar system. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders create a scale model of the solar system. Working in pairs students solve mathematical problems to correctly measure the distance each planet is...
Curated OER
Where Am I? Navigating Around the Globe
Third graders review spatial sense learned in grades one and two. They measure distances using map scales. They use atlases, and on-line sources to find geographical information.
Curated OER
Treasure Hunters
Students design an on campus treasure hunt to find various architectural vocabulary words which they then create definitions for on the blog page on the Environmental Design website.
Curated OER
Lesson 8: Changes in Deerfield, Massachusetts Shown in Maps
Eighth graders study maps of the same area from different time periods which show the ways in which the land stayed the same, and the ways this New England village changed over the years.
Curated OER
Latin American Relief Map
Students, in groups, research, design and construct a relief map of a section of Latin America using papier-mache. They show major landforms, elevations and notable bodies of water. They present their maps to the class.
Curated OER
Map It!
Fourth graders collect and explore different maps and their uses before using the program Pixie to create maps of geographic features, political features, and economic information for the state in which they live.
Curated OER
Cultural Maps
Fifth graders examine map elements. In small groups they create a map of an imaginary country that includes a title, legend, directional indicator, scale, boundaries, capital cities, country name, and icons of five natural resources. ...
Curated OER
Math: Checking Scale Drawings for Accuracy
Students critique their own drawings for accuracy and make constructive suggestions prior to reworking them. They discover how scale in maps and drawing relate to relative size and distance. In addition, students comprehend the...
The Alamo
The Alamo
Remember the Alamo! Scholars investigate the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution. Using models, maps, quotes, biographies, and the Oath of Allegiance, the Alamo comes to life as the stories of those who fought and died in...
Curated OER
Greeks Around the World: A Case Study on Greek Diaspora
Students gain an understanding of the concept of Diaspora relating to Greeks. They use guided discovery to apply the geographic inquiry model to an examination of the reasons for Greek Diaspora.
Curated OER
Mathematics of Cartography
Students practice their math skills as they explore maps. In this cartography lesson, students calculate distance, scale, coordinate systems, and projection as they work independently reading online maps.
Curated OER
Current Events, Geography
Students read the newspaper to become aware of what is happening in their city, state, nation, and world. They summarize, find locations on a map and ask thought-provoking questions.
Curated OER
Are We There Yet?
Students discover how to use maps and why they are important when using a map. They calculate distance using a map scale and time using travel speed and a map scale.
Curated OER
World Projections
Students identify map projections and examine polar maps. In this map skills lesson, students use a flat world map to identify various projections and calculate the distances between locations by using a map scale.
Curated OER
Discovering New Mexico
Seventh graders discuss the elements of maps and using basic linear measurement. They calculate the distance between the cities and create a simulated journey around New Mexico using a road map. They write out the directions for their...
Curated OER
Water Contamination Mapping Lab
Students are introduced briefly to the Biscayne Bay Ecosystem, observed microbe distributions and water current maps are introduced. They measure water current speeds to predict the movement of pollutants based on the type of the tidal...
Curated OER
Indianapolis Government
Learners read about a girl who takes a trip during the time of the State Capital moving to Indianapolis and then write their own essay about a trip that they took. In this Indianapolis Government lesson plan, students use maps and...
Curated OER
Teen America Travels New England
Students simulate the role of a travel agent to understand how to read and use road maps. They plan a bus trip through New England for a group of travelers that includes, bus travel, meals and attractions. They plan the distance that...
Curated OER
Message in a Bottle
Sixth graders write a short story about being stranded on a deserted island. After a brief geography review of locations at various latitudes and longitudes, 6th graders draft their story about being stranded. They use sensory and...
Curated OER
Globe Skills Lesson 1 Some Early American Cultures
Middle schoolers apply their knowledge of geography. In this geography skills lesson, students read brief selections regarding early Americans. Middle schoolers respond to the questions included in the self-guided map skills lesson.
Curated OER
FINDING A RESOLUTION
Students examine detailed Moon and Earth views provided by the NASA-sponsored "World Wind" computer program. They work in groups to create maps of different scales using landmarks of their choice, and challenge their classmates to...