Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topographic Maps

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this topographic map worksheet, students learn how to read a topographic map and create a topographic map of their own using clay or Play-Doh. Students include contour lines by layering the clay. Students answer 6 questions about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waldseemüller’s Map: World 1507

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers take a closer look at historical maps. In this primary source analysis lesson, students examine the first world map produced by Martin Waldseemuller. Middle schoolers complete the included map analysis worksheet and then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Draw To Scale The E-Z Way

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders draw a rough floor plan of a house to scale without using a ruler to determine measurements. They see how architects use scale to draw blueprints, and solve math problems using scale.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale factors: Ratios and Proportions

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students create building and models using scale factors. In this geometry lesson, students apply the properties of ratio and proportion to solve problems. They identify the means and extremes property of cross multiplication.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the Bone Field: An Area and Scale Exercise

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Here is an excellent cross-curricular lesson. Learners relate multiplication to area by making a grid on graph paper, and then creating the same grid in real space outside in the school yard.
Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Climate Change Around the World

For Teachers 5th - 6th Standards
Look at climate change around the world using graphical representations and a hands-on learning simulation specified to particular cities around the world. Using an interactive website, young scientists follow the provided...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Scaling

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders use a map scale to determine distances between cities in the state of Florida.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding Your Way Using Maps and Globes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify the similarities and differences between different maps and globes. Individually, they create a map of their classroom along with a compass rose. They also practice reading maps as a class and finding specific locations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tooling Around Arizona: Reading Arizona Maps

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research Arizona maps. In this map lesson plan, students discuss map titles, scales, directions, elevation, and symbols. The class will examine topography, landforms, and rivers found on an Arizona map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Essential Elements of Habitat

For Teachers 1st
First graders compare their local area with the Belize landscape. They construct maps of the school area, adding descriptive information. They write haiku poems about their favorite outside places.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Measuring Distance

For Students 5th - 6th
In this measurement worksheet, students practice drawing 7 specific geometrical lines in a circle. Students problem solve 1 word problem with 3 measurements involving distance.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Are Here

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students map local places and learn to use scale and distance.  In this mapping lesson plan, students map their school and a favorite place.  Students recreate their maps showing distance and scale sizes. Students locate their...
Lesson Plan
University of Colorado

Are All Asteroids' Surfaces the Same Age?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Did you know scientists can tell the age of an asteroid by looking closely at its craters? This final lesson of a six-part series focuses on two asteroids, Gaspra and Ida, in order to demonstrate the concept of dating asteroids. Scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Map

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the process of creating an accurate map, and create a map of their playground. They identify what objects are on their playground, and discuss what is found on a map. Students then draw a map of their playground...
Lesson Plan
Edgate

Great Grids

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Learners use grid boxes as a measurement tool and discover how grids are used for mapmaking and scaling down an area. They begin by attempting to draw a model shape drawn by the teacher by using the gridding process. At the conclusion of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Your Community

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students define the boundaries of their community by comparing the community's official boundaries with other historical, political, physical, and perceived boundaries of the area and create a community map.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit V: Worksheet 2 - Constant Force

For Students 9th - 12th
Physics learners studying force and acceleration practice solving eight problems with this assignment. They calculate acceleration and deceleration, net force, and distances required for stopping a moving object. Kinematics equations and...
Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

An Investigative Look at Florida's Sinkholes

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
In May of 1981, the Winter Park Sinkhole in Florida first appeared and is now referred to as Lake Rose. Scholars learn about the causes of sinkholes through an inquiry project. Then, they analyze recent data and draw conclusions to...
Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Historical Climate Cycles

For Teachers 5th - 6th Standards
What better way to make predictions about future weather and climate patterns than with actual climate data from the past? Young climatologists analyze data from 400,000 to 10,000 years ago to determine if climate has changed over...
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Quantifying Land Changes Over Time Using Landsat

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"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,...
Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Edible Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map your Schoolyard

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Pupils practice their mapping skills by creating an accurate map of their schoolyard using an aerial photo from the National Map web site. Students include legends, a scale, and a north arrow on their maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mud Maps

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners discuss the location of stores, buildings, and homes in their community. Afterwards, they create a 'mud map' demonstrating the route from one point to another. In pairs, students read travel directions from a brochure, while...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Country of Kenya

For Students 4th - 6th
In this map completion worksheet, learners observe a map and map scale of Kenya to find and label bodies of water, cities, countries, and the equator. Students answer 11 questions.