California Polytechnic State University
Australian Geography Unit
At the heart of this resource is a beautifully detailed PowerPoint presentation (provided in PDF form) on the overall physical geography of Australia, basic facts about the country, Aboriginal history, and Australia culture and lifestyle.
Teach Engineering
Earthquakes Living Lab: Locating Earthquakes
There are patterns in nearly everything — even earthquakes. Pairs research current earthquakes to see if there are any patterns. They determine the mean, median, and mode of the earthquake data, along with the maximum and minimum. Using...
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Water
Students complete activities to examine the properties of water. In this water science lesson, students read a book about water's forms and study a map or globe of the Earth to investigate water. Students discuss living things that need...
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de Soto's Expedition: An Alternate Route
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Exploration Age lesson, 8th graders compare historical maps with new maps focusing on the route of Hernado de Soto.
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Comparison of Snow Cover on Different Continents
Students use the Live Access Server (LAS) to form maps and a numerical text file of snow cover for each continent on a particular date. They analyze the data for each map and corresponding text file to determine an estimate of snow cover...
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Locate and Name the bodies of water and the continents
Second graders locate the equator, bodies of water, and different continents on a globe. In this globe lesson plan, 2nd graders recall geographical information on a globe.
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Social Studies: Great Circle Route
Students compare routes between Minnesota and China using a map and globe. Using the "great circle route" method, students find the shortest route between two points.
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Ireland
Second graders discuss Ireland including its politics, education system, agriculture, etc . . . They locate Ireland on a map, and list facts about the country. They compare Irish money to American money.
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Multi-cultural and Multiple Perspectives Literacy Lesson
Third graders compare their thoughts about Africa before and after reading an associated book. In this cultural understanding instructional activity, 3rd graders write down their thoughts about Africa. They receive information from the...
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Land Use Over Time
High schoolers view aerial photos and topographic maps of their local area. They compare and contrast major land use patterns over time by comparing these images to maps that are at least 50 years old. They analyze them using the four...
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All Things Chinese-- Building a Classroom Museum
Learners explore China. In this introduction to Chinese culture lesson plan, students bring in items or pictures from home that represent Chinese culture. Learners create a "Chinese museum" by putting these labeled items on display,...
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Trouble in the Troposphere
Students create graphs using NASA data, compare ozone levels of several U.S. cities, analyze and evaluate the data and predict trends based on the data, and discuss and describe how human activities have modified Earth's air quality.
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What is the Population Distribution of Cartoon Characters Living On the Pages of Your Newspaper?
Students read various cartoons in their local newspaper and calculate the population demographics, spatial distribution and grouping of the characters. Using this information, they create a population distribution map and share them with...
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Rosie's Walk
Students use maps and globes to locate and describe locations, directions and scale. Using the maps, they identify man made or natural features of different environments. They practice using geographical terms to describe a specific...
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The Exploration and Settlement of North America
Learners locate place in Canada and explore highlights of early of early American exploration and settlement. In this North American history instructional activity, students locate provinces, major cities, and physical features of...
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Why Not Visit My Country?
Students research a country using the Travel Languages Web site. Using MS Publisher, they create a travel flyer about the country. Using Inspiration, they develop a concept map of what they learned about their country.
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Uncharted Territory
Students examine what were preconceived perceptions of the areas Lewis and Clark explored. They compare and contrast past and modern maps of North America. They accurately place route and site information on the map.
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Take Me Out To the Ball Game
Students use a map to graph and locate major league teams of different sports. In groups, they analyze the population data of the United States and compare it with the amount and location of the major league teams. They share their...
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Where In the World Are We?
Fifth graders read postcards and find their locations on maps. They use the pictures and text on the postcards to write about imaginary vacations. They compute the mileage and compare it to TripMaker data.
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Are We There Yet?
Students estimate the time needed by the Corps of Discovery to complete its expedition. They problem solve and estimate the distance covered by the Corps on its expedition. They compare their findings to the expedition's actual rates...
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Japan
Students locate Japan's absolute and relative location on a globe and various maps. They describe Japan's various regions and islands and their system of education, customs and religion. They assess Japan's impact on our society.
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Building Bridges for Young Learners - Self
Students explore self analysis by investigating other cultures. In this personal characteristics lesson, students utilize the Internet to read about a child from Niger, and many other students around the globe. Students compare their own...
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Travel Time
Students use a migration map to estimate the distance traveled by a bird while migrating south. After calculating accurate estimates of the distance traveled, students compare the distances traveled with the amount of time elapsed.
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Mapmakers' Perspective
Students examine several maps and consider mapmakers' perspective in early depictions of North America.They determine how the spherical shape of the earth makes any north-south and east-west orientation a matter of perspective. For...