Related: Geography

LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES

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

  • 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

  • What Do People Know about the Arctic and Antarctic?

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    It's common to confuse characteristics of the Arctic and the Antarctic, and many people have never learned the differences between these two regions.
    In this lesson, students will research the landscapes, climates, and animal life of the Polar Regions. They will then interview people to find out what they think and know about the regions. They will conclude by writing paragraphs explaining why it's important to know about the Polar Regions and detailing the differences between the two regions.
    For more information: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/

    Grades: 6-8

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Understanding Sea Level Using Real Data

    / NOAA Ocean Data Education (NODE) Project

    Five lessons at increasing levels of sophistication incorporate real data from NOAA to help students understand how sea level is measured and monitored. For more information: http://www.dataintheclassroom.org.

    Grades: 6-8

  • Watered Down Topo Map

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students create models of undersea geologic features on a bathymetric chart. Students interpret and explain the difference between bathymetric charts and topographic maps.

    For more information:
    http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 6-8, 9-12

  • 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

  • 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

  • The Pros and Cons of Artificial Reefs

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    Students make hypothetical lists of the pros and cons of artificial reefs and then revise them after reading an article and researching the topic.

    Grades: 9-12

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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