Related: Geography

LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES

Click on a lesson plan or activity name to learn more about it

  • A Vacation to the Polar Regions

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    Students will learn about the characteristics of the Arctic and Antarctic by looking at a globe and pictures of the polar landscape/ animals. They will plan a vacation to one of these regions and draw pictures or write stories depicting themselves on the trip.
    For more information: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/

    Grades: K-2

  • Are Great White Sharks As Dangerous As We Think They Are?

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    Students discuss their existing thoughts on sharks and analyze a map of reported shark attacks. After viewing and discussing both a painting of a shark attack and an image of a researcher swimming with a bull shark, students do research to determine the real dangers posed by and to sharks.

    For more information:
    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions

    Grades: 3-5

  • Collision Course

    / Massachusetts Marine Educators

    Students analyze maps of shipping lanes and whale sightings to devise a new shipping lane through the Stellwagon Bank National Marine Sanctuary to minimize ship strikes on whales.

    For more information:
    http://www.massmarineeducators.org/.

    Grades: 6-8, 9-12

  • Environmental Issues in the Polar Regions

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    The Polar Regions are frequently neglected in discussions of the environment, but they shouldn't be. The environment of the Polar Regions is particularly susceptible to human impacts such as pollution and the depletion of the ozone layer. Moreover, the effects of global warming on the Polar Regions are likely to have major repercussions in the rest of the world.

    Grades: 9-12

  • Expedition to the Poles

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    Students will pretend they have just returned from a year in the Arctic or Antarctic. By exploring web sites about expeditions to these regions and creating posters illustrating what they could have seen or done, students will have a better understanding of what life would be like in Polar Region without actually visiting them.
    For more information: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/

    Grades: 3-5

  • Fish and Kids

    / Marine Stewardship Council

    A package containing lessons, worksheets, and activities to teach young students about sustainable seafood. Each subject has two levels: one for grades K-2 (key stage 1) and another for grades 3-5 (key stage 2).

    Additional resources: http://www.fishandkids.org

    Grades: K-2, 3-5

  • Fishing for the Future

    / WETA/PBS Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Series

    Through a fishing simulation, students model several consecutive seasons of a commercial fishery and explore how technology, population growth, and sustainable practices impact fish catch and fisheries management. For more information: http://www.pbs.org/emptyoceans/educators/activities.html.

    Grades: 6-8, 9-12

  • How do Humpback Whales Feed?

    / National Geographic

    The activity covers background, migration, and feeding behaviors of humpback whales. It also includes a simulation of bubble net feeding and a drawing exercise.

    Grades: 3-5

  • Introduction to Coral Reefs

    / NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

    Students will identify the relative depth of corals in the ocean by observing the behavior of cold and warm saltwater in an experiment. Students will gain a global understanding of coral reef life by reading for information and creating a model of a reef. For more information about the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, visit http://coralreef.noaa.gov/.

    Grades: 3-5, 6-8

  • Introduction to Latitude and Longitude

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    This lesson introduces students to latitude and longitude. They will look at lines of latitude and longitude on a United States map and discuss the reasons why these lines are helpful. Students will also discuss the ways that temperatures vary with latitude and will explain the clothes they might wear at specific latitudes.
    For more information: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/

    Grades: K-2

  • Sea Surface Temperature and Coral Bleaching

    / NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

    Students will learn about the anatomy of coral bleaching, how ocean temperature increase can be a cause of coral bleaching and will try to predict general areas likely to be affected by coral bleaching by interpreting sea surface temperature data.

    For more information about the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, visit http://coralreef.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 3-5, 6-8

  • Sharks: Setting the Record Straight

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    Students read, discuss, and compare news reports of shark attacks with data and then design a television special to educate the public about sharks.

    For more information:
    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/.

    Grades: 9-12

  • Symbiosis and Coral Anatomy

    / NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

    Students read and then present to the class about different types of symbiosis. They are then introduced through a PowerPoint presentation to the coral-zooxanthellae relationship. For more information about the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, visit  http://coralreef.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 3-5, 6-8

  • Tale of a Whale

    / Smithsonian Institution and New England Aquarium

    Students exercise their observation skills to do some of the actual work of marine biologists who study the endangered North Atlantic right whale. They identify an individual whale by examining photographs taken at sea. They then examine a record of sighting of the whale in order to track its movements.

    Grades: 6-8

  • The Best Hope for Northern Right Whales

    / National Geographic

    This lesson asks students to research current and proposed methods of assisting the recovery of northern right whale populations. Students will conduct Internet research to investigate the best strategies to help save right whales.

    Article “North Atlantic Right Whales on Path to Extinction” for lesson found at:
    http://www.cnn.com/NATURE/9903/18/right.whales.enn/.

    Grades: 9-12