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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Exploration and Settlement of the American Southwest

For Teachers 3rd
Students scrutinize the Zuni Pueblo Revolt in this seven lessons unit on early Spanish explorers in the American southwest. The discovery of the Spanish missions, the search for the seven cities of gold, and particular geological...
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Activity
Scholastic

Scholastic Explorers: Endangered Ecosystems

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A great site with something for all grades. Do research on rainforests, follow field research on animals in Latin America, and show what you know through interactive assessments. Lots to see on this site which is a collaboration of...
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Website
PBS

Pbs: Conquistadors: Francisco De Orellana

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has information on the search for El Dorado and the exploration of Amazonia by Francisco de Orellana. He travelled to the mouth of the Amazon River. The site has plenty of images, maps and video too.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: The Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
A huge website that provides a virtual field trip exploring the Spanish adventurers who quested for gold and land in the New World. The site has information on Pizarro, Orellana, Cabeza de Vaca, Cortes as well as extensive information...
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Website
Other

Republic of Peru: We All Make Peru

For Students 9th - 10th
This is Peru's Official Site of Tourism, Travel and Promotion and contains a complete official tourism and travel guide of Peru. Great travel pictures, movies and information.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: Journey to Planet Earth: Rivers of Destiny

For Students 9th - 10th
Journey to four major river systems - the Mississippi, Amazon, Jordan and Mekong rivers - and take a look at the challenges happening to the people whose livelihood hinges around them.
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Handout
Geographyiq

Geography Iq: Peru

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive site that gives you "Facts at a Glance" or more in-depth information about such topics as geography, people, economy, climate, or foreign relations. Have fun exploring the South American country of Peru.
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Handout
NASA

Nasa Earth Observatory: Fish in the Trees

For Students 9th - 10th
The Amazon River rises each year from December to May, forcing fish to flow through the tops of trees. Learn how satellites and technology track the rising and fall of the Amazon River and how this affects the rain forest.
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Handout
Extreme Science

Extreme Science: Amazon River

For Students 9th - 10th
This Extreme Science article looks at the Amazon River and it is called the world's greatest river.
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Website
Adventure Learning Foundation

Adventure Learning Foundation: Peru Expedition

For Students 3rd - 8th
Thorough, informative site about the country of Peru. Click here to learn all about Peru.
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Handout
Missouri Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden: Rivers and Streams

For Students 3rd - 8th
The Evergreen Project profiles the natural history of rivers and streams. Topics include watersheds, how a stream becomes a river, erosion, water pollution, and the like.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: South America

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers an overview of the continent of South America, featuring information about politics, geography, and population statistics. Click on the name of a country to discover more details.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Soil in the Amazon

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Compare plants grown in simulated Amazon soil to those grown in soil prepared by the slash-and-burn method. Describe leaf development in plants grown in different soils and chart, average and graph plant growth by height
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Website
Globe Tracks

Travel for Kids: Peru

For Students 3rd - 8th
An excellent site containing exciting things to learn about Peru from a family tourism perspective. Explore things to do in Lima, the Andes, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon, and the North of Peru. Also, contains picks for children's books on...
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Zoo: Amazon River Fish Cam

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Zoo features a selection of live animal cams including a live animal cam of Amazon river fishes. In addition to the live cam, this site features information and pictures of other life associated with Amazonia.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Zoo: Amazonia Habitat

For Students 9th - 10th
The Amazonia Habitat is an exhibit from the National Zoo which highlights various aspects of the Amazon including habitat species, plant information, and more. The exhibit includes a virtual tour and an audio tour along with links to...
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Birth of a Mighty River

For Teachers 3rd
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the Amazon River and its origins. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in drawing conclusions.
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Lesson Plan
Michigan Reach Out

Newton's Apple: Rain Forest Animals

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Several activities to incorporate into your Rain Forest unit. This site does not focus only on animals.
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Handout
Other

River Systems of the World

For Students 9th - 10th
Find statistics about the many river systems of the world. Includes facts such as length, drainage area, cities, notable tributaries, and more. Also provides links to sites about some of the rivers.
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Longest River in the World

For Students 4th - 6th
Compares the Amazon River with the Nile River to show that the Amazon is the largest but the Nile is the longest. Includes interesting facts about the Nile River and a table comparing the sizes of ten rivers around the world.
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Widest River in the World

For Students 3rd - 5th
Explains why the Amazon River should be considered to be the widest river in the world, rather than the Rio de la Plata, also in South America.
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Amazonian Peoples, an Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a short introduction to the Amazonian people and their culture.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Science Kids: Science Images: Amazon River, South America

For Students 9th - 10th
Spanning seven different countries in South America, the Amazon River is one of the longest rivers in the world. It reaches around 6400 kilometres (4000 miles) in length. This is a satellite image showing the mouths of the Amazon River...