Curated OER
Klondike Fever
Students consider the geographical aspects of the gold rush. In this gold activity, students research just what gold is and where it has been found. Students create maps that highlight the regions of the world where gold has been found...
Curated OER
Geography Journey
Fourth graders examine the geographic features that define places and regions and answer questions about the state of California. They discuss the components of a map legend and answer worksheet questions using a map of California as a...
Science Matters
Wattsville and Mercalli Booklet
There has been an earthquake! Can you listen to the description of damage given by callers in order to determine the epicenter? The 11th of 20 lessons has pupils read a script of one emergency caller. The class records the information on...
Physics Classroom
As the Crow Flies Lab
A simple, yet memorable, way of practicing with displacement vectors is described here. Divide your class into groups and assign each a different landmark on campus. They measure smaller legs of the path from the classroom to their...
Curated OER
Solar Heating in the Himalayas
A fascinating instructional activity on how solar power is utilized by people who live in the Himalayas is here for you. In it, learners perform a case study which will help them understand that solar energy is a renewable resource, that...
Curated OER
Volcano Contour Models Activity
Learners experiment with water levels and plastic topographic volcano models to determine the contour lines that would be used to create a topograpohic map of a volcano. They use the traced lines to actually develop the map.
Curated OER
Cardinal and Ordinal Directions
Students use a compass to locate cardinal and ordinal directions. In small groups, they describe and create a journey for their classmates using their compass. Groups create a scale map for their classmates to follow and relate this...
Curated OER
Cartography Project
A instructional activity involving mapping, the use of a compass, writing and following directions, and exploring the first two themes of geography is here for you. Learners create original maps that show the routes they take through...
Curated OER
Tracking Satellites Using Latitude and Longitude
Students, viewing an Internet site, plot the path of several satellites using latitude and longitude over the course of an hour. They learn the four basic types of satellites and their purpose.
Curated OER
The Mekong River
Junior geographers explore the region through which the Mekong flows, its pathway, the landscape, how people depend on the Mekong, and future uncertainties. They apply the five themes of geography to examine the region. They create a...
Curated OER
Living in the Desert
Conduct an investigation on the plants used by the Hohokam tribe. To survive in the harsh desert environment the Hohokam used many natural resources. Learners read, research, map, and graph multiple aspects of Hohokam plant use as a...
Curated OER
Book: The Northern Colonies: Quest for Freedom
Students, after reading Chapter 1 in the book, "The Northern Colonies: Quest for Freedom," assess the diseases that killed Native Americans as well as the causes for the spread of disease during this time period. They contemplate medical...
Curated OER
Putting Pitch In Its Place
Young scholars focus on reading musical notations. They see, hear, practice and write notations in the lessons to become more independent readers of music. They complete a Rubric for Pitch Worksheet.
Curated OER
Trash Talkin
Students investigate recycling at several scales, including local, state, national and global. They become aware of recycling, re-use, reduce efforts and policies. Students read the article Where Does Your Garbage Go. They look up where...
Curated OER
Where Is Japan? How Far Is That?
First graders use literature and hands-on activities with maps and globes to explain distance and tools used to measure distance. They select tools to measure various objects in the classroom, then apply those concepts to their map...
Curated OER
Current Events, Geography
Students read the newspaper to become aware of what is happening in their city, state, nation, and world. They summarize, find locations on a map and ask thought-provoking questions.
Curated OER
Planet Earth
Learners explore and analyze data from different maps in order to explain geographic diversity among the continents. Student groups research continents' physical features and examine how they contribute to quality of life for inhabitants.
Curated OER
The Battle of Brandywine
Students explore the Battle of Brandywine, how to analyze maps, and construct a model of a battlefield.
Curated OER
A Thoreau Look at Our Environment
Sixth graders write journal entries o school site at least once during each season, including sketched and written observations of present environment. They can use sample topographical maps and student's own maps. Students can use...
Curated OER
Community Map of The Giver
Middle schoolers read "The Giver" after finishing the unit on inventions and inventors. Using the information in the novel, they develop a geographic map illustrating the community in the story. They identify human and physical features...
Curated OER
Volcano Contour Models Activity and Tracing the Highs and Lows in San Francisco
Students investigate how to draw topographic contours and read topographic maps.They examine the topography of San Francisco and contrast the elevation of different points within San Francisco.
Curated OER
The Tale of Scale
Eighth graders, using a range of data, produce three bar graphs for various scales along the y-axis.
Curated OER
It's Happening, Where? Find the Absolute and Relative Location of News Articles
Young scholars read newspaper articles. In this social studies activity, students locate the latitude and longitude of the location where the news article takes place. Young scholars write a summary of the news article.
Curated OER
Globe Lesson 13 - When the Day Changes
Middle schoolers explore the patterns of day and night. In this geography skills instructional activity, students read brief selections and examine diagrams that note the transition of day and night around the world. Middle schoolers...