Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Top to Bottom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Marine science classes read about the 2005 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Expedition and review climate change. They use maps to locate the seamount chains. In collaborative groups, they research how climate change may be altering the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

once and future MOON

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Beyond the phases of the moon, this comprehensive lesson plan covers geologic history and geology. Amateur astronauts examine photos of the lunar landscape, experiment with the creation of craters, and delve into information about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Water

For Teachers 4th - 8th
If the majority of our planet is covered with water, why do we need to bother conserving it? With a thorough and varied investigation into the location and types of water on the earth, learners will gain an understanding of why this...
Lesson Plan
National History Day

Why Did the United States Enter World War I in 1917?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
World War I was the first major conflict on a global scale. Using primary documents, learners determine why the United States chose to enter World War I when it did. After analytical writing and group research, the causes of America's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our 50 States

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners identify the location of the 50 states using an interactive map. They practice geography skills by playing a fun game. Pupils become familiar with the state abbreviations for the US states. Students become familiar with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plotting A Hurricane Using latitude and Longitude

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore map and plotting skills by tracing the movement s of hurricanes through the Earth's systems. a hurricane map is developed from daily media reports.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Math: Checking Scale Drawings for Accuracy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students critique their own drawings for accuracy and make constructive suggestions prior to reworking them. They discover how scale in maps and drawing relate to relative size and distance. In addition, students comprehend the...
Lesson Plan
K20 LEARN

Manifest Destiny: U.S. Territorial Expansion

For Teachers 8th
A close examination of John Gast's painting "American Progress" launches a study of the concept of Manifest Destiny used to justify United States' policy of westward expansion. Young historians read statements from persons with different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3-D Model of Lake Benthos

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create 3-D models of Lake Benthos. In this scale drawing activity, students create a 3-D model of Lake Benthos. Students work in groups to create the models. Students use the models to to encourage people to conserve natural...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World Projections

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars identify map projections and examine polar maps. In this map skills lesson, students use a flat world map to identify various projections and calculate the distances between locations by using a map scale.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering New Mexico

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discuss the elements of maps and using basic linear measurement. They calculate the distance between the cities and create a simulated journey around New Mexico using a road map. They write out the directions for their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Maker Map Maker

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners create their own maps. In this map making lesson, students go to Microsoft Word and create a chart. They label directions, buildings, streets, and distance. 
Lesson Plan
Edgate

Great Grids

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Learners use grid boxes as a measurement tool and discover how grids are used for mapmaking and scaling down an area. They begin by attempting to draw a model shape drawn by the teacher by using the gridding process. At the conclusion of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

One Size Fits All?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students describe the differences between an estimate and a guess. They create reasonable estimates based on comparison and activities. Students explain how estimation is helpful in showing the relative size on a scale. They also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale Drawings

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the importance of scaling drawings. In this math lesson, students create a scaled drawing of circuit boards. They explain why accuracy is very important when scaling.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale Basketball

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils understand that a spreadsheet can be used to find the best scale to use in a model. They place the distances of the planets of the solar system to the Sun in one column of the spreadsheet. Students try different scales so that the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Generate an Accurate Landscape Profile from a Topographic Map

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students enerate an accurate landscape profile from a topographic map. They determine the correct interval needed to accurately graph the change in elevation on a single piece of graph paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Readng And Giving Directions

For Teachers K - 1st
Learners read a story to create the context for the lesson. Then they are given or create a community map. Then students use the scenario of being lost in order to role play giving directions to a partner to find a destination. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Super Size It, Please!

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Pupils take photos from a given distance and determine the height of the person using a scale factor. Pupils calculate the ratio of student actual height to student photo height. They take pictures from 3 different distances to see if...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Landscape of a Novel

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students, after reading a novel, utilize geographic skills to map out the places described in the novel. They collect data, envision spatial features and then design a map to work off of to complete their assignment. Each student also...
Lesson Plan
Mathematics Assessment Project

Calculating Arcs and Areas of Sectors of Circles

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Going around in circles trying to find a resource on sectors of circles? Here is an activity where pupils first complete an assessment task to determine the areas and perimeters of sectors of circles. They then participate in an...
Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Edible Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Many people think they can't observe plate tectonics, but thanks to GPS, we know that Australia moves at a rate of 2.7 inches per year, North America at 1 inches per year, and the Pacific plate at more than 3 inches per year! Scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topographic Map Unit Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine topographic maps and discover how to decipher contour intervals, use contour lines and apply information to complete a topographic map lab. Working in groups, they identify the scale of the map, latitude and longitude,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balancing the Scales: Understanding Ratios

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students are introduced to the concept of ratios. In groups, they convert sets of numbers into a ratio. After practicing, they use the ratios and proportions to solve story problems. They also calculate map distances and discover map...