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Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the routes taken by the early explorers. In this explorers lesson, 5th graders use interactive notebooks, discussion and maps to discover the routes taken. Students get into pairs and label maps, and create...
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Environment: Going Places

For Teachers 1st
First graders learn directional words and apply this skill to map making. They record their steps on paper.
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Drifting Continents, Dynamic Results

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot earthquake and volcano data using a Compass Rose Plotting. They explain the relationship between plate movement and connection. They draw conclusions that earthquakes and volcanoes occur in predictable locations.
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Map Creation

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders identify a map, symbol, key, and compass rose. Students create and print a map for teacher evaluation using the computer. Students identify the symbols on their map and orally present them to the class.
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Mapping Puerto Rico

For Teachers 7th - 8th
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.
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Cardinal Directions

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore cardinal directions. In this social studies lesson, students create maps of home and school using the cardinal directions.
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Cartography

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners research about cartography and how to be a cartographer. In this math activity, students draw a map of their classroom. They use a robot to explore navigation using a compass rose.
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Map Making/Floor Plans/Map Reading

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students apply their knowledge of scale when mapping the classroom. They determine the use of a map legend and orient a map using a compass. They create the classroom maps using transfer graph paper.
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Space Science:Wherever You Go, There You Are

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore navigation principles by observing, measuring, and interpreting data to determine locations. Using a compass, compass rose, and a transit, they plot courses and discover the workings of the Global Positioning System...
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Mapping Central Park

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars use the mapping skills to explore New York's Central Park. They examine a map of Central Park to discover its features. After discussing the characteristics of the park, students design their own dream park and draw it to...
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Map Skills

For Teachers 3rd
Thirds graders reinforce that a map is a drawing that shows what a place looks like from above. They use a map key and symbols to create a map of the school and its neighborhood.
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Our State Road Trip

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students take a virtual tour of the country of China instead of a state. Using the Internet, they examine the differences between a political and physical map and use latitude and longitude to locate specific places. They also research...
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Let's Travel!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students review the rules and expectations, they earn points each day by making the correct behavioral choices. They read maps and do Internet reserach, students become aware of United States and or world geography. Students check...
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Drawing A Map

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss any information they already know about maps. As a class, they draw a map of a park following written directions making sure to include a compass rose and key. They are graded based on a rubric and discuss the need for...
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On the Road Again": Moving People, Products, and Ideas

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this lesson students learn how to identify modes of transportation and communication for moving people, products, and ideas from place to place. Students also study the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of...
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Exploring the Various Regions of Boyle Heights: Continuity and Change

For Teachers 3rd
Student study the local landscape of Boyle Heights, California and draw a sketch of the area. Students use map making skills in this activity. Studient make a portfolio of information and photographs they accumulate over time on the area.
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Mapping the Local Community

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars review the symbols and legends of a map. In groups, they follow a set of directions to create a map showing the route to a specific place. They present their map to the class and review the basic components of a community.
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The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush: Native American Life

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read," The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola and discuss the way legends are passed down orally. They then create their own legend and illustrate it on a simulated "Buffalo Skin" made from brown paper.
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How Do I Get There? Planning a Safe Route to School

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
One much-needed skill for young learners is direction giving. Have your class plan and draw a safe route for them to travel from home to school. They will also draw places and items that are in between home and school in order to build a...
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Rivers Run Through It

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Using a relief map of New York State, learners answer questions about the distance between different cities, identify bodies of water, and more. First, they discuss vocabulary related to the Hudson River area. Then, they complete a...
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Migrating to Texas

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the migration to Texas from other parts of the United States. Through journal entries they write about the trip as if they were the settlers coming to a new and foreign country. Working in small groups, 4th graders...
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Identifying Continents and Oceans

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students locate and identify the four major oceans and the seven continents on a world map. They use an unlabeled world map and compass rose to describe relative locations of the continents and oceans.
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Wales: An Interdisciplinary Unit

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students practice basic map and geographic skills as they compare Oregon to Wales. Students color map of Wales and Oregon using color codes to distinguish between land, water, and bordering nations or states, listen to stories and...
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Map It!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders collect and explore different maps and their uses before using the program Pixie to create maps of geographic features, political features, and economic information for the state in which they live.