Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scales, Scutes, and Skins

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students identify the various adaptations of reptiles and amphibians. After distinguishing between reptiles and amphibians, students discuss the ways in which their adaptations aid in their survival. They participate in a hands on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping with a Compass: A Simulated Survey

For Teachers 4th
Students use compasses and grids to map the locations of artifacts found in a simulated dig site. In groups, they role-play as future archeologists excavating a school site. Groups begin at their assigned datum and site the artifacts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coordinate Grid: Mapping Archeological Sites

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover how to apply the Cartesian coordinate system by figuring out the length and width of their school playground. They determine that pacing is an important tool for the initial mapping of a site. Students conduct a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography - Mapping the Holocaust

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders map the important locations of the Holocaust. In this Holocaust lesson, 8th graders research the location of countries involved in the Holocaust as well as the location of concentration camps. Students mark the locations...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Grand Excursion GPS Map

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the uses of a global positioning system. They create waypoints and have to find them using the system. Students must review the geographical concepts of latitude and longitude. The media requirements of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Motion of the Sun and Earth: Using a Playground Model to Explore Rotation and Revolution

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students experience the rotation of the Earth and the Sun and the Earth's revolution around the Sun, using a playground mode.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

So -- What's Happening Here, On This Old Christmas Tree Farm?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students review their prior knowledge on biomes and ecosystems. At a local Christmas tree farm, they work together in groups to identify the changes occuring in the area. They participate in solving a mystery in which they determine the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Down on the Ocean Floor

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students build a map of the Atlantic Ocean floor and mark the different depths.  In this ocean floor lesson students identify parts of the ocean floor that they created and discuss patterns that they see.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping a Refuge

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students record observations gathered while at a national wildlife refuge. In this lesson on wildlife refuges, students choose an observation spot and record seasonal changes throughout the year.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quick-Sketch Artist Tips on Mind Mapping the Urban Landscape

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students interpret maps. They also create mental maps of regions in which they are studying. Students then explain the historical or cultural significance of map features orally or in written form. Students take a walking field trip...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mud Maps

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Map of the Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a map of the classroom using the computer programs AppleWorks and iChat in this math-based technology instructional activity. Lesson extension ideas include a scavenger hunt and maps of other school buildings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tactile Maps

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students make a map of an assigned area (state, country, etc.) using a 3-D pictorial-tactile representation of the features to be included. They also learn to create a pictorial- tactile representation of their knowledge of a region, and...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Properties of Dilations

For Teachers 8th Standards
Investigate dilations to learn more about them. The second segment in a series of 16 provides a discussion of properties of dilations by going through examples. The problem set provides opportunities for scholars to construct dilations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FINDING A RESOLUTION

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students examine detailed Moon and Earth views provided by the NASA-sponsored "World Wind" computer program. They work in groups to create maps of different scales using landmarks of their choice, and challenge their classmates to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Metrics And Measurements

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers engage in a study of measuring distances between geographical locations on a map. They are able to define and use the map scale in conjunction with the metric system. For this lesson they make their own maps and measure...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Your Galactic Address

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover their place in the universe.  In this astronomy lesson, students identify their location on various maps that have increasingly larger scales.  In the end, the students write their address in terms of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Klondike Fever

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers consider the geographical aspects of the gold rush. For this gold lesson, students research just what gold is and where it has been found. Middle schoolers create maps that highlight the regions of the world...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography Journey

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the geographic features that define places and regions and answer questions about the state of California. They discuss the components of a map legend and answer worksheet questions using a map of California as a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Candy Bar Subsurface Geology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to drawing and interpreting topographical maps. They each cut through there Jell-o mountain at regular height intervals, and trace around the shape of the Jell-o cut off at the height, overlaying the different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salad Tray 3D Topographic Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the characteristics of topographical maps. They examine the relationship of contour lines and vertical elevation. Students create a three-dimensional model of a landscape represented by a topographic contour map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tracking Satellites Using Latitude and Longitude

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate how to track satellites using latitude and longitude. They investigate what man learns from all the satellites currently being studied today. Students analyze the four basic types of satellite orbits.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Your Community

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils 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.
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Wattsville and Mercalli Booklet

For Teachers 6th Standards
There has been an earthquake! Can you listen to the description of damage given by callers in order to determine the epicenter? The 11th of 20 lessons has pupils read a script of one emergency caller. The class records the information on...