Library of Congress
Investigating the Building Blocks of Our Community’s Past, Present, and Future
As Ken Jennings said, "There's just something hypnotic about maps." Certainly, the longer you look at them the more you can learn. In this project-based learning lesson, individuals study both historic and present-day maps of their area...
Curated OER
The Fabric of Our World
Students discuss cultural diversity, and examine how the community reflects the cultural background of the inhabitants. They read the book, People, take a community walk, create a rainbow chart, and research other states for relocation...
It's About Time
The Changing Geography of Your Community
Lead your class in exploring their local communities as well as the general environment. As they determine continental distributions by investigating minerals, rocks, and fossils located in their local region, pupils construct a...
Curated OER
Looking at Our Community
Students analyze the way that the media views the community that they live in. They poll residents about the strengths and weaknesses of their community and devise ways such as community service projects that they can improve the image...
Curated OER
Nunavut, Our Communities
Students locate the communities of Nanavut on a territorial map and identify community characteristics. They research the online Atlas of Canada
Curated OER
"CREATE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY"
Second graders, after spending several weeks developing skills necessary to become a "Community Development Team," create and build their vision of a community. Consideration is given for needs and wants, food, shelter, safety concerns,...
Curated OER
When Were Houses in our Locality Built?
Take a look at the types of houses to determine when they may have been built. This UK-based slide-show shows houses common to Great Britain such as, Tudor, Victorian, 1930's, and Modern styles. This could be used as a compare and...
Curated OER
Call to Arms: A Service Project
Sick of selling candy and washing cars? How about hosting a Digital Day or a Learning Lunch? The suggestions here make fund raising fun and rewarding. Raise money to preserve important maps and other primary source documents.
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Exploring our Community
Students research Los Angeles and its surrounding communities. They create digital presentations of the information they have gathered by answering the question included in the lesson.
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Natural Features of Our Community
Second graders read about and discuss natural features of communities. They listen to a guest speaker, such as a park ranger to expand their knowledge of natural features. They go on a field trip, if possible, to a local zoo or...
Curated OER
Human Features of Our Community
Students investigate the human factors that create a community. They conduct research using a variety of sources. Students then create dioramas that depict a typical scene found in a community.
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Polar Day: Comparing My Community to a Northern Community
Third graders practice their geography skills. In this Polar Day-themed lesson, 3rd graders use their research skills to compare and contrast the place, regions, and human systems in their community to a Canadian northern polar region...
Curated OER
How Can Understanding and Helping Others Build Our Own Community?
Students examine the different cultures and disabilities people face in their community. They discuss how they can become better citizens. They answer discussion questions to finish the instructional activity.
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Getting to the Core of World and State Geography
Students create topography relief maps. In this geography skills lesson, students review geography core knowledge skills, design and make a state relief map, and compile a student atlas.
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Looking at a Community
Third graders read Flat Stanley. In this community lesson, 3rd graders discuss the town they live in, define the terms community, citizen and culture, discuss what a community is and the characteristics of a community.
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Political Cartoons About Community Problems
Students research problems faced by their community and create political cartoons for the issues. In this community problems activity, students brainstorm problems their community faces and draw a political cartoon for the problems....
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Sharing Our Surplus Stash: A Trick-Or-Treat Twist
Students give the gift of candy to community members. In this citizenship and giving lesson, students read Franklin's Halloween and discuss why the main characters give away part of their Halloween candy. Students brainstorm who in their...
Curated OER
Early History of Our Lane
Second graders study Native American Kalapuya culture. In this American History lesson, 2nd graders discover the early inhabitants of their community. They take a field trip to Dorris Ranch.
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In Harm's Way: Natural Disasters in My Community
Eleventh graders research and debate natural disasters that have occurred in their community. They assess whether these natural disasters were avoidable or were accidents. They investigate the extent of insurance coverage for disasters.
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Walking the Five Themes - Your Community to Ours
Students in two classrooms share information about their communities in classrooms throughout the year. In groups, they identify the physical and human characteristics of each area and how they change through time. They also discover the...
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Exploring our Community
Students research the geography and history of Los Angeles and its surrounding communities.
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Our City
Second graders familiarize themselves with the town they live in by practicing their imagination, library research and writing skills.
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Mapping Our Home
Students explore how communities participate in census counting. In this census lesson, students recognize the absolute and relative location of a state and understand ideas about civic life and government.
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Discovering American Symbols
Help youngsters get to know their states and capitals, explore their own country, and study American symbolism. They take a "trip" across America collecting symbols, images, and information about each state as they go (through text and...