K12 Reader
National Symbols
What are the most prominent symbols of the United States? Learn about the bald eagle, the American flag, and the Statue of Liberty in a reading comprehension activity that includes a short passage and five reflective questions.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Farmland: GMOs and Organic Agriculture
Learn more about genetic modification, organic farming, and the role of biotechnology in agriculture by watching a documentary that shows how newly gained knowledge can be applied to specific situations involving farmers and the choices...
Curated OER
Key Ingredients: America by Food
Students participate in a series of activities to explore the types of food Americans eat, how food choices differ in various parts of the country, and how the availability of various foods has changed over time.
It's About Time
Present-Day Climate in Your Community
So what exactly is climate? This first installment of a six-part series introduces the concept of climate using real-world data tables and topographic maps. The timely lesson includes a comprehensive overview of climate, as well as...
Curated OER
How did Geography Affect the Economy of the Colonies
Eighth graders examine the impact of geography on a region. In this geography lesson, 8th graders study the themes of geography. Students write an open response to a question.
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Weather Pals
Young scholars study maps of the United States to locate weather pals from a list of schools. They communicate with Weather Pal schools through the use of closed circuit TV. Using weather data collected in their area, they exchange the...
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Puerto Rico: The 51st State?
Students examine the political status of Puerto Rico. In this global studies lesson plan, students explore Puerto Rico and consider the feelings of Puerto Ricans regarding their unique political status.
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Natural Features as a Resource
Students identify resources provided by nature for basic human needs. In this natural features lesson, students discuss the various regions of the United States. They explore one region in depth and complete activities that identify...
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Regional Economics in the United States
Students describe and provide examples of the primary factors
behind the regional pattern of economic activity in the United States. They create maps showing regional economics patterns
in the US and examine those patterns in comparison...
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Name That Place: Cultural Place Names in the United States
Students examine the origin of the people that settled in the United States. In this United States History instructional activity, students work in small groups to complete several activities that explore early settlement, such as a...
US Institute of Peace
Simulation on Conflict Prevention in the Greater Horn of Africa
Is containing a conflict possible in the Horn of Africa? Young peacekeepers engage in a simulation that examines the multi-faceted conflict that exists between the countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Representatives from ten countries in...
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This Land is Your Land - Travel Posters
Eleventh graders compile a list of places in the United States where they have either traveled or where their relatives or friends live. They collect travel posters, brochures, postcards, and maps from their region of the United States.
Curated OER
States and Capitals Unit
Fifth graders explore the regions, states, and capitals that make up the United States. Through the five lessons in this unit students locate and name the fifty states and their capitals.
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The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812: Shaking Our Misconceptions about Earthquakes in United States History
Students Examine how earthquakes work and what plate tectonics and fault lines are. In this earthquake lesson students complete an earthquake scavenger hunt.
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Northern and Southern Differences in 1856
Fourth graders investigate differences between the ideology of the Northern and Southern states in 1856. In this states' history instructional activity, 4th graders examine the needs for slaves in the Southern agricultural economy, and...
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Changes in the New Nation
Students explore how technology has slowly changed the world, starting in the 18th Century. In this United States History lesson, students work in teams to complete numerous activities that compare and contrast life before and after...
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History/Mystery: Regionalism and Ethnicity in the American Detective Novel
Learners use mystery novels to focus on the history and ethnicity of different regions of the United States. As a class, they are introduced to the elements of a mystery and compare them to the other types of novels they have read. In...
Curated OER
The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson: Issues in the Election of 1828 and Beyond
Students research the campaign and election issues of Andrew Jackson. In this presidential election instructional activity, students research the campaign of 1828. Students then list the important issues. Students discuss the political...
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State Cards
In this state cards worksheet, students cut out 9 cards, each of which has a picture of one state in the United States on it. These states are all located in the Midwest and Northwest regions. These cards could be used for a matching game.
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My Summer Vacation
Students study the United States geography using Google Earth. In this U.S. geography lesson, students create travel journals about five U.S. geographical locations. Students research the human and physical characteristics for each region.
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Map Memory
Fifth graders, working in a whole class setting, label a United States map with the names of all the states that they know. They transfer the names of the states to an individual map and color it. Next, they receive directions on how to...
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Opening Doors to Social Studies with Children's Literature: The Desert Alphabet Book
Pupils explore the geography of the United States. In this social studies lesson, students identify the major deserts on a map of the United States.
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States and Capitols Match-Up
Fifth graders should have been introduced to the fifty states already before completing this activity. Different groups of students focus on different regions of the country and their capitols. They change regions throughout the activity.
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Weather and Water in Ghana
Students research the rainy and dry season to investigate Africa's weather. In this African weather lesson, students use the given websites to research the rainy and dry seasons of Ghana in Africa. Students then read stories about life...