Curated OER
Naviagational Tools
Fifth graders create a compass, with the help of written instructions and then write six sentences discussing how compasses work and why they are helpful. They discuss the different types of navigational tools and how they are helpful.
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Using the Four Main Directions in the Classroom
Learners utilize a compass to determine where North is in the classroom. In this direction lesson, students label the four main directions. Learners locate features in the classroom and describe the directions to get to them. Students...
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Basic Orienteering
Learners study orienteering. In this science lesson, students study the parts of a compass and use the compass to set a bearing and follow the bearing on the compass.
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TE Activity: The Trouble with Topos
Students study the uses of topographical maps including the many forms that they take. They discover that the map features show its intended use such as city maps, wilderness maps, and state maps. They complete a worksheet in which they...
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In Mr. Lincoln's Shoes
Students demonstrate basic map skills. For this US history lesson, students review cardinal directions and use a compass rose while at the same time discuss what life was like for Abraham Lincoln.
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Native American Homelands
Students discuss the Navajo, Sioux, and Iroquois tribes, noting their distinctive characteristics. They trace the homeland of each of the tribes on maps and create map keys. Students explain how they developed their map keys.
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Are We There Yet?
Students discover how to use maps and why they are important when using a map. They calculate distance using a map scale and time using travel speed and a map scale.
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Location, Location, Location!
Twelfth graders locate cities, states and countries on maps. They use the cardinal directions to locate places on maps. They describe where they were born by giving clues without naming the exact state. They trade papers and try to guess...
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Finding Your Way
Students work in small groups to practice basic map skills. They take turns giving directions and tracing a path from one location to different destinations on the map.
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Discovering New Mexico
Seventh graders discuss the elements of maps and using basic linear measurement. They calculate the distance between the cities and create a simulated journey around New Mexico using a road map. They write out the directions for their...
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Treasure Hunt
Learners find lost "treasure" using a treasure map after being shown a map that you have created where terms and symbols are discussed. The class is divided into small groups where they locate your treasure and then read a section from...
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Cardinal Directions
Students explore cardinal directions. For this social studies lesson, students create maps of home and school using the cardinal directions.
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Follow the Light
Students investigate the role of lighthouses in navigation and practice the use of cardinal directions through reading activities, discussion, locating geographical features, and mapping lighthouses along the east coast of the United...
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Going, Going, Ghost
Third graders research ghost towns. In this geography lesson plan, 3rd graders locate ghost towns on a map and choose one location to research. Students construct a research paper and present it to the class.
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Put Me in My Place: Using Alphanumeric Grids to Locate Places
Students practice locating points on a large wall grid and create and label a neighborhood map. In this geography lesson, students spell and discuss places as the teacher places them on the map. They discuss the concept of an...
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Mapping with a Compass: A Simulated Survey
Students use compasses and grids to map the locations of artifacts found in a simulated dig site. In groups, they role-play as future archeologists excavating a school site. Groups begin at their assigned datum and site the artifacts...
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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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Making a Region Map of a State
Fourth graders create salt maps of a state and indicate its regions. They include topographical elements including mountains, valleys, lowlands and major water bodies and a compass rose.
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Regions of Utah - Mapping
Fourth graders draw a rudimentary map of the state of Utah, dividing it into the three regions: the Great Basin, the Colorado Plateau, and the Rocky Mountain Region.
Science Matters
Finding the Epicenter
The epicenter is the point on the ground above the initial point of rupture. The 10th lesson in a series of 20 encourages scholars to learn to triangulate the epicenter of an earthquake based on the arrival times of p waves and s waves....
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Which Way Is North?
Students investigate the concept of finding locations with the use of a compass and a map. They practice the skill of bearing and set up courses of travel to different destinations around the school grounds. Students also practice taking...
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Putting the World in Perspective
Students work in small groups to: make a mental map of the world by tearing paper shapes of the seven continents and locating them on a flat surface in their relative positions, compare their finished mental map to a reference world map,...
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Our 50 States
Students identify the location of the 50 states using an interactive map. They practice geography skills by playing a fun game. Pupils become familiar with the state abbreviations for the US states. Students become familiar with the...
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Capitals, Oceans, And Border States
Students investigate geography by completing games with classmates. In this United States of America lesson plan, students examine a map of North America and identify the borders of Mexico and Canada as well as the Pacific and Atlantic....