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The Mother Culture of Mexico: The Olmecs

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study the Olmec civilization. They develop a map of Mexico and a map of the area of the Olmec civilization. They research Olmec art, religion, and architecture. They construct Olmec symbols including giant heads, altars,...
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Crossroads of the Continent: Early Trade in Kansas

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners study early Native American-European trade. They play bartering games to discover trade as an economic funtion, as well as other implications of trading one good for another.
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Global Intelligence

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the war in Afghanistan and the conditions surrounding the hunt for Osama bin Laden after reading the article "Bin Laden and Omar: Far Harder to Find" from The New York Times. After the class discussion, students...
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Walk in My Shoes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students discover how culture, geography and history affect how someone views an area of the world. They role play the role of a Palestinian, Jew or Briton and examine how they felt about Israel during its formation. To end the lesson,...
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Lake Tahoe Then and Now

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the differences in Lake Tahoe from the past to the present. In this geography lesson, students read the book Washoe Seasons of Life and identify the descriptions of the land and lake. Students create a Venn diagram...
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Site and Situation: Right Place at the Right Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students put their geography skills to work. In this geography skills activity, students research maps and other primary and secondary sources to simulate the site selection process for the Pennsylvania Railroad Shops post World War II....
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Asia's Global Influence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore Hong Kong. In this geography skills lesson, students watch "Asia's Global Influence," and then research the culture, landmarks, and geographic features of Hong Kong. Students use their research findings to design travel...
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You're Invited to a Ceili: Exploring Irish Dance

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students recognize a Ceili as an Irish dance of celebration and investigate Ireland while studying the dance.  In this Irish dance instructional activity, students search the geography of Ireland, read poetry, identify costumes,...
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Making the Connection With Quilts

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders engage in a instructional activity which integrates the study of the Underground Railroad in Indiana with a Language Arts unit on quilts. They write a book report on one of the quilt books read in class and design a quilt...
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Come On Over To Maya Place

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders analyze the Mayan culture. In this Mayan culture lesson, 5th graders study the Mayan culture noting similarities and differences between the Mayan culture and their own. Students examine hieroglyphic writing and the Mayan...
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Four Corners Mystery: Where In The World Are We?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research and describe various locations around the world using five fundamental themes of geography.
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Exploring China

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore the geography, holidays, important teachers, and inventions from China in the nine lessons of this unit. The results of their inquiries are expressed through a variety of products, writings, and presentations.
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Gullah People of the Sea Islands

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine the history and culture of the Gullah people. They study the geography, impact of industrialization and effects of tourism on the people of Gullah. They view films, use a large map of West Africa,. Students will listen...
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Putting the World in Perspective

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students work in small groups to: make a mental map of the world by tearing paper shapes of the seven continents and locating them on a flat surface in their relative positions, compare their finished mental map to a reference world map,...
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Where We Live

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students forecast future population growth of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In this U.S. Census lesson plan, students explain the factors that influence population density on the U.S. Virgin Islands, including geography and economic activity.
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Hide and Seek with Geocaching

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students locate objects using a Global Positioning System. In this global geography lesson, students explore latitude and longitude using a GPS in order to locate objects.
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Life in a Coal Patch

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars study life in a coal patch town. In this American History instructional activity, students read material about life for coal miners and their families. They answer questions, create a poster, and complete a creative...
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Reflections of Ancient Greece

For Teachers K - 5th
Students study ancient Greek civilization. In this World history instructional activity, students locate Greece on a world map and review what the ancient Greeks did when they developed new ideas for government, science,...
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Africa: Names and Nations of Note

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore Africa. In this global studies instructional activity, students research the history of African nations, noting the impact of European colonization and other historical events. High schoolers design posters about...
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Mapping South America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore South America. In this South American lesson, students use their geography skills to create population, terrain, biomes/vegetation, and major exports maps. Students present their finished maps to their classmates and...
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Nureyev: The Unconquerable Will

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider the development of dance across cultures. In this dance genre lesson, students study the history of Russia and the Mongol Tatars. Students research how classical ballet made its way to Russia and create collaborative...
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The Equator

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate cultures located along the equator. In this geography skills lesson plan, students research the geography, history, culture, and tourism of Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Brazil, and Singapore. Students write an article...
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Japan

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders experience, through a hands-on approach, Japan's geography, daily life, language, foods, education, customs, art and literature. They discover all the exciting events that take place to make it really seem like they are...
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Reporter's Notebook

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the geography and history of a major city in Iraq. They write a journal from the perspective of a war correspondent stationed in that city.