Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watershed Landscape

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students demonstrate how water flows by building a human watershed using themselves. For this ecology lesson, students compare and contrast point-source and non-point source pollution. They write what they have learned from this activity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Countries of South America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers focus on the geography of the countries of South America. Using a map, they identify the European countries who claimed the South American countries and research the influences they had on South America. To end the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing Lava Flows

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the difference between fast and slow spreading lava flows. They identify various types of lava flow and determine the factors that cause them to form. Viewing photographs of lava flows, students working in groups,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping The Ocean Floor

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars explore and analyze the bottom structure of underwater habitats. They describe and explain what can't see through the collection and correlation of accurate data. Learners assess that technology is utilized as a tool for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diversity

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students work in groups to research and prepare an oral report about a region.  In this regions lesson, students find out about the geography, population, state capitals, and landmarks.  Students assign attributes to the people...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diversity Geography

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research another country and its people.  In this diversity lesson, students work in groups to research an assigned country and develop a short oral report.  Students use diversity beans to represent the people of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping West Virginia

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore West Virginia. In this Unites States geography lesson plan, 4th graders discuss the type of land and the cities in West Virginia. Students create two overlays, with transparencies, that show the natural land and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Twain: Tom Sawyer—Mythic Adventurer

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students take a closer look at archetypes. In this characterization lesson, students examine the setting and the characters of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as they read and analyze the novel. Students consider how Twain mythically...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Running Water/Rivers-Life Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the parts of a river system and use topographical maps to determine the stage of the river.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapmaking: Colorado Quarter Reverse

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine the Colorado quarter reverse and draw symbols of the state's land and water features on maps. Using copies of the Colorado reverse, they color the coin design. They list reasons for the state's motto of "Colorful Colorado"
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Topographic Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore Mount Shasta and various locations on Mars to examine ways geographical data can be represented. They study topographic maps and translating data from 2-Dimensions to 3-Dimensions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stranded along the Coast

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils plot stranding sites onto a map using latitude and longitude as well as compass directions with respect to coastal features. They identify several species of marine animals that might become stranded; distinguish their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science Excursion: Cover Mapping Land

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Young scholars study remotely sensed images and topographic maps to classify land cover types in their watershed area. They take samples in the watershed area to interpret the images.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where are the Watersheds in San Francisco?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students create a mental map of San Francisco. They compare it with actual topographical maps of the city. Then they label various locations on the San Francisco Hillshade map and locate watershed boundaries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interior of the Earth

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders identify and describe the composition and physical properties of the layers of the Earth. They also explain how scientists used the scientific process to know about the center of the Earth. Finally, 6th graders read a...
Interactive
Curated OER

Student Exploration: Building Topographic Maps

For Students 4th - 6th
In this earthquake exploration worksheet, students complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use "Building Topographic Maps Gizmo" to conduct several activities, completing short answer questions when finished.
Activity
Oregon State

World Map of Plate Boundaries

For Teachers 4th - 10th Standards
Young geologists piece together the puzzle of plate tectonics in an earth science lesson. Given a physical map of the world, they search for land formations that indicate the location of different types of plate boundaries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A River Runs Through It

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students evaluate and interpret flood data from Central Texas. They list the tributaries that feed into the Guadalupe River and explain why is it important to include the tributaries in a discussion of the river, especially a discussion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Ancient Greece

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders use play dough to create a relief map of Greece and through personal investigation and class discussion, draw conclusions about the impact of the geography of Greece on daily life and culture in Ancient Greece.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Give Me Back My School: A Back to Basics Approach to Ecological Restoration

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research local geography to create successful, ecological school landscaping. They determine soil type, average weather patterns and temperature graphs and use the information to select ideal plants and plant maintenance...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study causes, probability and location of earthquakes. They complete a number of activities and look at web pages to examine the characteristics of earthquakes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: Choosing a Pyramid Site

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students determine how engineers decide on choices for final designs and sites for construction. They look at a surveyor's report while they evaluate sites where a pyramid could be build. They consider the distance the pyramid would be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Walk the Sky Path

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use maps of Florida. They locate places from a list on their map. Students use the places mentioned in the book, "To Walk the Sky Path," and locate them on the map. Students should have labeled a minimum of 10 places, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trekking to Timbuktu: The Search for Timbuktu

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore the factors that contributed to the decline of Timbuktu and the myths and misconceptions about the city. Students study the obstacles that made a journey to Timbuktu a difficult one as well as discover the first European...