Young scholars explore the Nevada mining of 1850-1880. In this history lesson, students investigate the Comstock Lode and examine the mining tools that were used to search for silver and gold.

Students answer questions that are related to factors that determine the type of mining used? They are able to answer questions after reading the assignment. Some questions that are asked: Briefly describes the steps of surface mining....

Learners discover that mining for nonrenewable natural resources has a dramatic effect on our environment. They gain an understanding of the processes involved in harvesting a natural resource and the impact it has on the earth.

Young scholars explore reasons for supporting and opposing hydraulic mining. It was the most efficient and used mining method until 1884. A simulated court hearing is held where a decision is made whether to allow the continued use of...

Students create a 3-D self-standing album containing an accurate timeline of his/her life. They select personal items to attach to the timeline (like jewelry, photos, etc.). Also, they create journals as keepsakes for themselves and...

Students read an article on trapped miners in Chile. In this social awareness ELL lesson, students read the details about how 33 miners had to be rescued in Chile when they got trapped underground.  Activities that reinforce the...

Students utilize a variety of source materials to explore reasons for supporting or opposing hydraulic mining. A mock court hearing is held where a decision to allow the continued use of hydraulic mining is made.

Students examine letters written by Union soldiers fighting in the South during the Civil War, and write descriptions of the South using information found in the letters.

Students explore the five themes of geography while they conduct Internet research to compare and contrast their city, region, or country with the city and region of Nagano, Japan.

Students read and discuss the information that they read on the "Kentucky Coal, Reclamation and Subsidence." They then answer questions in reference to the reading. Some questions that students answer are: What is reclamation?, Name...

Fifth graders research rainforest destruction. In this geography and ecology lesson, 5th graders work as a group to research the effects of logging, farming, and mining on the rainforest. Students gather and display data and information...

Students build mine-earthworm habitats to discover their niche in them. They make predictions about what the niche looks like in a week and draw a picture of it. Students notice the tunnels in the soil and how the sand and dirt are now...

Students are divided into five groups with each group assigned one of the following topics: how coal is formed, how coal is mined, how coal is used to create energy, environmental impact of coal mining, and the benefits of coal energy....

Working in groups, middle and high schoolers describe and discuss photographs depicting working conditions experienced by child laborers in the 19th century. They then write a persuasive paragraph supporting an amendment to regulate the...

Project Paperclip, the Redstone Arsenal, and the Huntsville Space Center are all featured in a resource that investigates the contributions of Dr. Werner von Brawn and other German scientists to the US space program....

The post-Civil War convict leasing program, rarely covered in textbooks, is the focus of a instructional activity that asks class members to use information drawn from primary source documents to assess the program. While the focus is on...

Learners receive current data on the movement of plates on the earth's crust. These plates shift and the magnitude of their shift over time can be tracked. They track this velocity vector on a global map and determine the speed of the...

Students research how trade in Timbuktu was affected by geography. Students conduct online research to determine the major trade routes, main products of trade, plus how and why trade spread across Africa.

Third graders use internet websites to compare/contrast the upper and lower pennisulas of Michigan. They read articles the characteristics of each area. Also, 3rd graders view pictures to investigatge the region, incuding the Straits of...

Students cite the importance of the steam engine, cotton gin and steel making process. They describe conditions in cities due to increased industrialization. They explain how the living and working conditions led to the development of...

Students complete a survey that the teacher can use to compare similar reading interests and reading abilities before to assign reading partners. They participate in a reading partnership by choosing a "double-copy" book, setting meeting...

Students explore Iowa geography and topographic maps. In this geography and topographic maps activity, student investigate maps, newspapers, Iowa flora and fauna. Students gain an understanding of how different landforms can be...

Students read a passage about immigrants making contributions to the state of Kansas and write the main ideas and details of what they read. In this immigrant contributions lesson plan, students fill out a graphic organizer of immigrant...

Students explore U.S. history by researching a historic map. In this westward expansion lesson, students discuss the mystery of the western U.S. in the early 1800's and the impact expansion had on Native Americans and agriculture....