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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flat Earth Society

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore map distortion. In this geography instructional activity, students compare Mercator projection maps to globes in order to understand the strengths and weaknesses of projection maps.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Four Main Directions in the Classroom

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students identify the four cardinal directions. In this map skills geography activity, students use a magnetic compass to label the four directions in the classroom. Students use the four directions to locate objects in the classroom.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Features

For Teachers K - 3rd
Learners identify natural features on a map. In this map skill activity, students use a landscape picture map to identify mountains, hills, islands, lakes, and rivers. Learners use post-it notes to demonstrate their location.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physical Geography of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students access information from the United States Geological Survey's Web site This Dynamic Earth to research the Ring of Fire. They answer four questions and then apply what they have learned to create a bulletin board display.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial Vacation Planner

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students plan a family vacation to states that were among the original 13 colonies. The groups determine which state they visit, map their route, calculate the mileage, and determine how much money they spend on gasoline.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Europe at Exploration 1500

For Teachers 6th - 11th
In this world empires and trade in 1500 worksheet, students examine a world empire map, world trade map, and Europe map. All maps display information from 1500.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Features

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students identify natural features on a map. In this geography lesson, students identify six physical features and create pictorial definitions for each term. The terms which are listed in this lesson are mountain, hill, island, river,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taming the Mighty Dragon

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students incorporate the five themes of geography to study the Yangtze river region. They analyze the possible effects of the three rivers gorge damn project on this area and role play a float the entire length of this dangerous river...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 6 The Louisiana Purchase

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the Louisiana Purchase territory. In this geography skills lesson, students use map skills in order to plot and note latitude and longitude, measure scale distance, and locate landforms that were part of the Louisiana...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills lesson plan, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 7 The Transcontinental Railroad

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore the Transcontinental Railroad. In this geography skills lesson, students use map skills in order to locate legs of the Transcontinental Railroad on globes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

North, South, East, or West

For Teachers K - 5th
Students participate in a game to learn cardinal directions. In this map skills lesson, students move around the room using cardinal directions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Continents of the Globe

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students identify the continents on the globe. In this map skills lesson, students define the term "continent" and identify the seven continents on the globe.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journeys...The Voices of Change

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students trace the immigration patterns of their ancestors. They plot information on a world map, develop a timeline of target immigration patterns, research and write a report on immigration and participate in a class play.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Name That Town

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars explore geographic locations and locate towns on a map using map coordinates.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Projects For USA Units

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study different regions of the United states through interdisciplinary activities. This lesson presents very creative, artistic ways for students to explore the variety of regions found in the United States.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using the Four Main Directions in the Classroom

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students use the four main directions to locate features in the classroom. In this direction lesson, students review the 4 main directions using a world map. Students use a magnetic compass to locate the north wall in their classroom and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rockin' Round New York State

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss their favorite rock groups and bands. They create rock groups that will be touring New York State. Students research cities in New York, determine dates of concerts, create touring itineraries, and develop Inspiration...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Kind of Vessel Are You?

For Teachers K - 5th
This is a strange question; but what kind of vessel would you be and why? After examining images of a large Inca jug, the class sets to writing a creative narrative that answers that very interesting question. They start by researching...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topographic Connections: Earth's Surface Shapes Streams; Streams Sculpt the Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars identify physical characteristics of developing streams and infer changes in the landscape by creating a river model.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Neighborhoods of the Future

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the present physical and human characteristics of their communities and predict their future appearance. In a two-paneled drawing, they depict their community as it is today and then imagine how it might change in the...
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Lesson Plan
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2
Smithsonian Institution

Borders with the World: Mexican-American War and U.S. Southern Borderlands

For Teachers 8th - 11th Standards
The Mexican-American War created social borders—not just physical ones. Scholars learn about the effects of the Mexican-American War on the people living in the borderlands using text excerpts, maps, and partnered activities. Academics...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploration of the Americas

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders demonstrate knowledge of exploration by naming and describing accomplishments of explorers. They use the internet to find corresponding information on the explorer and fill in a chart that is provided. Students also...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Passage Through Time

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young learners research and present information about a chosen subject to their peers, parents, instructors, and community. This lesson has a strong research and public speaking component, and would be ideal for your higher level students.