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What do Maps Show?
Eighth graders practice the skill of reading maps. For this geography lesson, 8th graders participate in a classroom lecture on how to read a map.
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Understanding Geography
Students create a map of their own neighborhood to show the relationships between the geography of the neighborhood and its economy and culture. They view and discuss an introductory video on how geographers study an area then go out...
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Africa: Introduction, Geography and Mapping
Learners study the geography of Africa through the use of maps. They locate, distinguish, and describe the relationships among varying regional and global patterns of geographic phenomena such as landforms, climate, and natural resources.
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Map It!
Fourth graders demonstrate map making skills by using the computer to create maps of the geographic features, regions, and economy for their state.
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Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus
Students explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills lesson, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.
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Geography With Dr. Seuss
Students read the book, The King's Stilts by Dr. Seuss and discuss the geographical information given in the book. Then they discuss and locate on a map the physical features that make up the continent of Africa. They create an original...
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US City Quality of Life Analysis and Comparison
Students analyze US census data and criteria to compare and measure the quality of life in the country's fifty largest cities. After accessing the 2005 quality of life world report online, students conduct their study to compare three...
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Introducing Topographic Maps: Guiding Students from Concrete Models to Graphic Representations
Students interpret topographic maps and infer human activity as it is influenced by the landscape.
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Current Earthquake Activity
Fifth graders record any earthquake activity throughout the school year on various maps. In groups, they identify a map locating the points given to them by their teacher. To end the lesson, they add the date, strength and damage to each...
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Math with Maps and Globes
Students round out their math skills with these ‘round the world' ideas. In this math and geography lesson plan, students try out time zone sticks, a polar race, and tic-tac-globe to engage them in learning more about globes and the...
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The Crash Scene
Fifth graders explore geography by participating in a mapping activity. In this engineering lesson, 5th graders identify the differences between latitude and longitude and practice locating precise points on a globe or map. Students...
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Geography - Mapping the Holocaust
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...
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Geo-Magazine
Divide your geography class into groups and have each research an assigned region. The result of this project is a regional magazine that addresses the five themes of geography. Many valuable resource links are embedded into the...
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World Projections
Students identify map projections and examine polar maps. In this map skills lesson plan, students use a flat world map to identify various projections and calculate the distances between locations by using a map scale.
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Relief Maps
Learners study geographical maps and their functions. In this geography lesson students work in groups to build a map to scale.
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Mathematics of Cartography
Students practice their math skills as they explore maps. For this cartography lesson, students calculate distance, scale, coordinate systems, and projection as they work independently reading online maps.
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Map Your Favorite Sports Team's Next Road Trip
Students track a sports team across the country. They use a map scale to calculate the number of miles traveled by their sports team on a trip, conduct Internet research, and calculate how much it would cost them to go along on the trip.
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Those Who Have Come Before Me
Class members are transformed into explorers as they work in groups to locate hidden items and map their journey along the way. They then leave clues for other groups of students to follow, and ultimately discover how past explorations...
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Read a Map ... It's a Snap!
Students are introduced to map and globe skills. They use grids and are able to construct their own simple maps of familiar places. Students are able to define a map, globe, and symbol and use the direction words north, south, east,...
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Mapping Community Values
Students discuss the origin of various maps focusing on the values behind them. Students also explore how human needs and geography influence community settlement patterns. Students extend learning by creating and mapping their own ideal...
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Colonial Vacation Planner
Students plan a family vacation to states that were among the original 13 colonies. The groups determine which state they visit, map their route, calculate the mileage, and determine how much money they spend on gasoline.
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Using Map Skills
Third graders study maps. In this U.S. geography lesson, 3rd graders explore directions on a compass rose and use a map scale to determine distances between two points on a map. They listen to a lecture and use their own maps to practice...
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Thematic Maps of Your School
Students are able to list the essential elements of a thematic map, understand and use scale effectively to represent a geographic area, use research skills to develop a body of information, plan and draw an accurate thematic map based...
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Right Place, Right Time
Fourth graders complete mathematical word problems. They study the relationships among distance, speed, and time; and measure travel distances. They measure distances using a piece of string and a ruler and practice converting several...