Lesson Plan
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Combining Map and Compass

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers practice using the map and compass to find a location. In this geography lesson series, students identify basic requirements needed when traveling in the wilderness. They plan a healthy menu for a backpacking trip.
Lesson Plan
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200 Years and Counting: How the U.S. Census Tracks Social Trends

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine the process of census taking in the United States. In this "200 Years and Counting" lesson, students examine the data collection process, look at an example of a census form, analyze data, and learn what the information...
Lesson Plan
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HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ANALYSIS

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine a variety of maps and documents to identify physical and cultural features of neighborhoods, cities, states, and countries, to explain the historical migration of people, expansion and disintegration of empires, and the...
Lesson Plan
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Mapping the Library

For Teachers K - 5th
Students compare their school library with another library such as: town library, for example, or a virtual library and identify the most important features. Students use their observations to create a map of the school library that can...
Lesson Plan
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Students Slide to School on Air-Powered Sled

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate the Great Lakes on a US map, then read a news article about a sled being used as a wintertime school bus in Wisconsin. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary activity,...
Lesson Plan
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School Sleuths Treasure Map

For Teachers K - 5th
Students are explained how a grid and compass work. They are also explained that archaeologists use grids as a record of the exact location of artifacts. Students define the term datum as a point of reference on grids from which all...
Lesson Plan
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Mapping and Excavating a Jello Mold

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students simulate how archaeologists excavate sites by "searching" their own site in the form of a Jello mold. They use a grid to map the objects in the Jello mold as well as looking at three layers of Jello to understand stratigraphy...
Lesson Plan
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Paul Conrad's Perspective on Civil Rights

For Teachers 11th
 Students review a political cartoon and discuss desegregation.  In this cartoon analysis instructional activity, 11th graders discuss the impact of a political cartoon and its relation to a Supreme Court case.  Students...
Lesson Plan
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Introductory Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners explore the reasons for the Vietnam War.  In this World History lesson, students complete three activities that expand and reinforce their knowledge on why the Vietnam war was fought.
Lesson Plan
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A Town on the Move

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Learners evaluate the moving of buildings, then read a news article about one town relocating building to save their economy. In this economics and current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Organizer
Curated OER

Concept Map

For Students 2nd - 8th
A blank concept map graphic organizer helps learners get their information, thoughts, and ideas organized. One initial concept splits into three sub-topics, which then provide a larger section for more details.
Lesson Plan
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Arkansas History Lesson: Arkansans

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate famous Arkansans and their contributions. In this Arkansas history instructional activity, 3rd graders are divided into small groups and use a variety of resources to research one important Arkansan. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Lesson 1: The Creek War - Return to Nativism or International Pawn? Religious War or International Conflict?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the countries and peoples involved in the Creek Indian War. They study the complex relationships between American and European settlers and the native Alabamians in the early 19th Century.
Lesson Plan
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Mapping Baseball

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students research how climate, distance, population shifts and immigration have influenced American baseball. They also consider how players from other countries have made their mark on American baseball.
Lesson Plan
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Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 12

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate various political systems around the world. They complete a chart that compares the U.S. political system with other nations' governments, conduct research on a selected nation, and present an oral report.
Lesson Plan
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Geography Lesson 1

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine relationship between population centers and sports teams, explore influence of weather on attendance, and research influence of geography, traffic flow and disposable income on site selection for sports stadiums.
Lesson Plan
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Spanish Influence on United States Currency: The Origins of the "Dollar"

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research the Spanish influence on early colonial America and the process of establishing the present U.S. currency. They read and discuss an informational handout in small groups, and take a short quiz. Students then...
Lesson Plan
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The State Seal Offline Lesson

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover the meaning of the different objects on the State Seal. They identify changes in the State Seal over time students hypothesize why elements have changed students suggest what elements should represent the State of...
Lesson Plan
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Tools of the Trade: The Use of Geographic Tools

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the tools of demographic analysis and apply them to real-world situations. They analyze maps, define terminology, and write an information paper for the appropriate government agency to recommend an action or policy change.
Lesson Plan
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Earth at Night

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students examine the Earth at night. In this geography lesson, students identify the continents at night using various Internet Web sites. This lesson may be adapted for use with middle school and high school students.
Lesson Plan
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Mapping Where Animals Live

For Teachers Pre-K - 5th
What type of reptiles live in New York State? This lesson gets the class thinking about what factors determine where particular animals live. They analyze the Hudson Valley environment, identify specific reptile and amphibian...
Lesson Plan
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Countries of the World

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners define the meaning of the word country. In this countries of the world map lesson plan, students identify boundaries, countries, and symbols within countries on the map. Learners distinguish the words country and continent.
Lesson Plan
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Nahuatl Culture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read stories, look at maps, and write journal entries to learn about the language and artwork of Nahuatl culture. In this Nahuatl culture lesson plan, students research the Nahuatl culture and present their findings.
Lesson Plan
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Lesson 3 Activity 1: On the Trail of Knowledge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot the earthquake epicenter data on the base map of the North Atlantic ocean floor using different symbols or colors to characterize different values.