Concord Consortium
Center of Population
Let the resource take center stage in a lesson on population density. Scholars use provided historical data on the center of the US population to see how it shifted over time. They plot the data on a spreadsheet to look the speed of its...
Curated OER
Broken-Heart Matching Game
Students use this fun game to practice, reinforce, or apply a wide variety of skills around Valentine's Day. Each students receives half a heart with zig-zag cuts made of pink construction paper with a piece of information. Their job is...
Curated OER
Basic Mapping Skills
Establish and study the parts of a map with your class and, then they will work in small groups to create their own detailed map, including a legend. There are specific instructions to follow on what needs to be included.
Curated OER
What's Your Temperature?
Learners take a look at the local newspaper and focus on the weather section. They get into small groups, and each one looks at the same map, but of a different part of the country. They must prepare a presentation that shows how...
Curated OER
Measure for Measure: Lengths and Heights
Learners explore measuring tools by calculating heights and lengths of random objects. In this distance measurement lesson, students utilize the Internet service MapQuest to measure the distance between their current towns and many other...
Curated OER
A Bird's Eye View of our 50 States
Third graders focus on state birds as they learned absolute location (latitude/longitude) of each state, as well as their relative location (bordering states).
Teach Engineering
What's Wrong with the Coordinates at the North Pole?
Here is an activity that merges technology with life skills as individuals use Google Earth to explore the differences between coordinate systems and map projections. The self-guided instructional activity is the fourth segment in a...
Teach Engineering
Searching for Bigfoot and Others Like Him
Individuals create a GIS data layer in Google Earth that displays information about where one might find seven different cryptids. The class members research to find data on cryptid sightings they can include in their data layer.
Curated OER
Westward Expansion
Students locate California and New York on a map and explore available means of travel in the 19th century. Students explore the role of trade in pioneer America and simulate various barter transactions.
Curated OER
Making a Map of the Classroom
Middle schoolers create a map of the classroom using the computer programs AppleWorks and iChat in this math-based technology instructional activity. Lesson extension ideas include a scavenger hunt and maps of other school buildings.
Curated OER
Analysis of Atmospheric Conditions for a High Mountain Retreat
Students examine the relationship between altitude, atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity at a particular location. They practice science and math in real world applications. They write reports detailing their scientific...
Curated OER
How High Is That?
Students explore the National Spatial Reference System. In this vertical position lesson, students will discuss the use of vertical position data and solve practical problems involving geographic positioning.
Curated OER
Graphing on a Coordinate Plane
Eighth graders explore the coordinate system. They identify the x and y-axis, parts of the coordinate plane, and discuss the process of plotting points. To emphasize the process of plotting points, 8th graders play an ordered pair...
Curated OER
Mapping Natural Disasters
Young scholars use Cartesian coordinates to plot current natural disasters. They relate location of natural disasters to their specific major project countries. Students tie in geometry within this lesson as connected to spatial...
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Osprey Journey
Students investigate the migration route of one bird, Osprey B4, using information gathered from satellites to track birds over a two-year period. They coimpare their graphs with maps of B4's migrations that have been plotted by...
Curated OER
'Tis a Long, Long Way to Tipperary!
Students practice finding the location of cities across the world by using an interactive Web site, and figure out the world's time and the value of time zones the world over.
Curated OER
Calculation the Cricumference of Earth using "Google Earth"
Eighth graders investigate properties of circles. In this eight grade mathematics lesson plan, 8th graders apply proportional reasoning to data gathered with “Google Earth” to calculate equatorial and polar circumference of the Earth.
Curated OER
The Pilgrims
Students use distance measuring tools to follow directions and chart the path the pilgrims made from Plymouth, England to Boston, Massachusetts. In this Pilgrim voyage lesson, students use a map to chart the distance traveled by the...
Curated OER
Principles of Flight: Where are We?
Young scholars explore the concept of topographical maps. In this topographical map lesson, students discuss how airplanes know where to fly. Young scholars use topographical maps to simulate a field trip on the computer.
Curated OER
Anything I Can Do You Can Do Better
Students complete a two-week unit involving design and construction concepts. They watch a PowerPoint presentation about geometric shapes, draw the fourteen shapes incorporated in bridge construction, and in small groups design, build,...
Curated OER
Understanding Hurricanes and the ER-2
Young scholars study hurricanes; in particular, what they look like, how they are formed, how they are categorized, how they are named, and how they are tracked. They examine the science of hurricanes as well as the mathematics of...
Curated OER
High Mountain Retreat
Learners explore and analyze atmospheric conditions for a high mountain retreat. They examine the relationship between altitude, atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity at a particular location. In addition, they write reports...
Curated OER
Make Your Own "Weather" Map
Students develop and apply a variety of strategies to solve problems, with an emphasis on multi-step and non-routine problems. They acquire confidence in using mathematics meaningfully.
Curated OER
U Boat Hunt
Students recognize patterns and sequences in numbers. In this geometry lesson, students create rules to define the sequences and patterns they obsere. They translate coded messages as they dicuss navigational terms.