Curated OER
Japan: Images of a People
Students learn the geography of Japan and its location in reference to the United States.
Curated OER
Who Dropped What into the Melting Pot?
Students show the movement of people to the United States from other countries on maps. They study the geographic cultural roots of foods that contribute to the melting pot of food in America. They research where an ingredient comes from...
Curated OER
Water: From Neglect to Respect
The goal of this collection of lessons is to make middle schoolers more aware of the ways in which they are dependent upon water to maintain their standard of living. Learners compare water use in Lesotho to water use in the United...
Curated OER
Baga Drum
Students examine a Baga Drum in order to explore the history of the Baga people of West Africa. In this art history lesson, students recognize figures used in Baga Drum design that represent aspects of Baga culture. They also design and...
Curated OER
Sudan Surprise
Students consider animal migration patterns that have been recently documented in Sudan. They investigate the migratory patterns of animals and discuss how human conflicts and activities affect migratory wildlife populations.
Curated OER
See the World
Seventh graders locate and write creatively about different places and their cultures. They identify the physical, economic, social, political and cultural characteristics of selected regions in the Eastern Hemisphere. Finally, 7th...
Curated OER
Creating Climographs
Students chart statistical information on graphs, interpret the information and use it to explain spatial relationships, and identify the relationship between climate and vegetation.
Curated OER
The Gift of the Nile: Egypt and its River
Students begin with a piece of a puzzle that shows an artifact from ancient Egypt. They find others who have pieces that go with their puzzle piece. Students work in these groups to construct a relief map of the Nile River Valley.
VIF Learning Center
Languages as Reflection of Cultures and Civilizations: French Speaking Countries
Expand your class's vision of the French-speaking world by conducting this research project. Pupils focus on building 21st-century skills while they look up information about a French country and put together presentations.
Curated OER
Whoa! Slow Down-Some of You!
Learners analyze demographic data (growth rate, natural increase, fertility rate, crude birth rates, and crude death rates) and determine which areas of the world contain the fastest and slowest growth rates. They construct population...
Curated OER
HIV/AIDS And Contemporary Population Dynamics
Students describe the spread and occurence of HIV/AIDS at multiple scales. They explain global and regional variations in the occurence of HIV/AIDS and explain the spread of HIV/AIDS in the United States.
Curated OER
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
Students investigate the global importance of the African and Asian countries that export petroleum. They access the OPEC website and research this organization. They answer questions and write an essay about alternative energy sources.
Curated OER
Population Density
Students examine world population density and population distribution. They create pie charts showing population distribution and analyze population patterns in the United States and major regions of the world. They identify...
Curated OER
Prince Ibrahima
Sixth graders read and utilize the facts from the story "Abd al-Rahmen Ibrahima" by Walter Dean Myers to analyze the main character's life which is ruined by conflict, jealousy, and greed. Journal entries are created in response to the...
Smithsonian Institution
Watching Crystals Grow
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Curated OER
Revolutionary Money
Examine paper money from the American revolution! Historians study the paper bills and discuss the history of money. How has money changed over the times? Activities are included.
Curated OER
Legacy of Colonialism
Learners explore the extent of colonialism from the early periods in the 1500's to the later years in the mid 1900's. They explain how colonization differed in regions around the world and examine the lasting effects on the colonized...
Curated OER
The Sahara: Home of the Tuareg
Learners study inhabitants of the Sahara. In this Tuareg culture lesson, students explore the how the Tuareg people adapt to their environment as they research specific Internet sites.
Curated OER
Tree of Life
Students explore the importance of the tropical rain forest in different cultures. Through a cooperative game, they locate countries that are known for their forest resources. Students discuss the similarities and differences of various...
Curated OER
The Sound of Music in Kenya
Students study Kenya's culture and see how people and things can be different and similar at the same time. They create a pictograph of objects from each culture that are used in similar ways and examine a few Swahili words.
Curated OER
Geographic Luck
Students examine why some countries are rich while others remain poor. They view a video on the website, Guns, Germs and Steel, analyze primary sources to conduct research about plants and animals, and create a game based on their research.
Curated OER
The Sahara: Home of the Tuareg
Students research and analyze the Tuareg and other groups as well, including their own, and examine the impact culture has on environment.
Curated OER
Plants and Animals: Partners in Pollination
Students describe the complementary relationships between pollinators and the plants they pollinate, identify adaptations that flowers have developed to "encourage" pollination, and create and draw their own "designer" flowers.
Curated OER
Mineral Scavenger Hunt
Students complete a scavenger hunt worksheet as they find examples in their classroom, at home, etc., of minerals. Excellent worksheet!