US Mint
Symbols in My Eyes
Explore the hidden meanings behind the images on US currency with this elementary school lesson on symbolism. Starting with a class discussion about symbols, children go on to brainstorm different objects that represent the Unites States...
Curated OER
Weather Lesson Five
Young scholars define a weather forecast, make a forecast using a weather map, identify three prediction guidelines, and explain how computers help to make forecasts. Students make a 24-hour forecast for each of the thirteen states...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Refugees from the Caribbean: Cuban and Haitian “Boat People”
Should refugees fleeing poverty be allowed the same entrance into the United States as those fleeing persecution? High schoolers read about US foreign policy in the late 20th century regarding refugees from Cuba and Haiti, and engage in...
Curated OER
Our Land Lesson 2: Song Mapping
Young scholars study the meaning of philanthropy as giving of time. talent, and treasures. They sing This Land Is Your Land while locating five of the places on a map of the United States showing that relief office are everywhere. They...
Curated OER
Four Famous Faces
Each one of our quarters is embellished with a famous face or image representing the state it came from. This lesson uses South Dakota's state quarter to get kids thinking about monetary value, what the president of the United States...
Curated OER
Arkansas State Rock
Here is a activity which shows the value of a mineral called bauxite to Arkansas during the early 1900's. Learners relate the five themes of geography to the history of bauxite and aluminum production in Arkansas. For teachers of...
Curated OER
Exploring our National Parks
Young scholars utilize maps/Atlases to find key spatial information, locate U.S. National Parks, characterize the geography of a specific region, and create a National Park brochure.
Curated OER
Westward Expansion : Mapping
Fifth graders travel along exploring the expeditions of John F. Fremont. In this Westward expansion lesson, 5th graders gain understanding of the events that shaped the west through the use of maps. Students use mapping skills to...
Curated OER
Denali Park Topographic Maps
Young scholars construct a topographic map of the Denali National Park. They identify different elevations and record historic landmarks in student science journals.
Curated OER
Drawing Conclusions - Is This a Map of the Underground Railroad?
Young scholars complete activities to study potential maps of the Underground Railroad. In this Underground Railroad lesson, students watch a video about map collector Anne Zorela's Underground Railroad map. Young scholars complete a...
Curated OER
U.S. Political Map
Students explore the symbols found in a map legend. In this map skills lesson, students locate the legend on a political map and explain what each of the symbols mean. Students locate and identify several symbols on the map.
Curated OER
Water Features - Lesson 2 - U.S. Political Map Grade 4-5
Students locate water features on maps. In this geography lesson plan, students complete worksheets that require them to identify water features on a U. S. political map.
Statistics Education Web
What Percent of the Continental US is Within One Mile of a Road?
There are places in the US where a road cannot be found for miles! The lesson asks learners to use random longitude and latitude coordinates within the US to collect data. They then determine the sample proportion and confidence interval...
Youth Leadership Initiative
Selecting a President: Primaries and Caucuses
What is a party caucus anyway? And what part do caucuses play in the primaries? Everything future voters need to know about the four stages in the presidential selection process is provided by this resource. The 2012 US Presidential...
Smithsonian Institution
Borders with the World: Mexican-American War and U.S. Southern Borderlands
The Mexican-American War created social borders—not just physical ones. Scholars learn about the effects of the Mexican-American War on the people living in the borderlands using text excerpts, maps, and partnered activities. Academics...
Curated OER
Map-A-Buddy
Students investigate the concept of tracking and spatial movements of animals in relation to the environment in which they live. They participate in an interactive activity by tracking one another over a pre-defined region, record the...
Curated OER
Fun With Pacific Northwest Cities and Towns
Intended for fun only, learners play with the names of cities common to their region or state. This activity includes a list of cities in Oregon and not much else. What you and your class choose to do with your list of cities is up to you.
Curated OER
United States Map
Students compare the United States on a globe and on a map. In this map lesson, students relate the sizes of the continents and locate the United States. Students identify the location of the continental US as well as Alaska and Hawaii.
Curated OER
Mapping Puerto Rico
Students use maps to discover where Puerto Rico is located. In groups, they use the internet to research the vegetation. They also compare and contrast the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico's government.
Curated OER
Mapping Your School Grounds
Students create a map of their school grounds. In this mapping lesson, students work in teams to make a map of their school grounds. Students note major features, observe, and record wildlife in the school grounds.
Curated OER
States and Capitals, Mountains and Rivers
Students identify geographical locations in the midwestern United States. In this geography instructional activity, students identify 12 states and capitals and geographical features in the region by using U.S. maps. Students use blank...
Curated OER
Lesson 1: Map Data and the Census
Students learn about the history of the census. In this U. S. Census lesson plan, students develop an understanding about how the United States Constitution grants and distributes power and discover how the spatial organization of...
Curated OER
French and Indian War: Make A Map
Fifth graders create a map of the battles that occurred during The French and Indian War. In this history lesson plan, 5th graders read about the war in their text books, then divide into groups to create a detailed map of a famous...
Curated OER
An Introductory Lesson on Maps
Students identify what a map is. They draw their own map using a simplified overhead view. After hearing the book, "Nikk's Adventure," students create their own maps.