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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Marco Polo takes a trip

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=451

A lesson plan for grades K–2 Mathematics and Social Studies

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities


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In this lesson from EDSITEment, students learn about the travels of Venetian adventurer Marco Polo. They consult maps to locate Venice and follow the routes Marco took to Beijing and back. They learn about the challenges of traveling along the Silk Road, discover some interesting facts about China under Mongol rule, and find out how Marco came to produce his famous book. Finally, they work in groups to create a large mural/timeline of the life and adventures of this famous traveler. This lesson incorporates primary source material from EDSITEment-reviewed websites.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 1

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will use non-standard units of measure and tell time.
    • Objective 2.02: Develop an understanding of the concept of time.
      • Tell time at the hour and half-hour.
      • Solve problems involving applications of time (clock and calendar).

Kindergarten

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will explore concepts of measurement.
    • Objective 2.02: Recognize concepts of calendar time using appropriate vocabulary (days of the week, months of the year, seasons).

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 1

  • Goal 3: The learner will recognize and understand the concept of change in various settings.
    • Objective 3.03: Compare and contrast past and present changes within the local community and communities around the world.
    • Objective 3.04: Recognize that members of the community are affected by changes in the community that occur over time.
  • Goal 5: The learner will express geographic concepts in real life situations.
    • Objective 5.02: Investigate key features of maps.
    • Objective 5.03: Use geographic terminology and tools to create representations of the earth's physical and human features through simple maps, models, and pictures.
    • Objective 5.06: Compare and contrast geographic features of places within various communities.
    • Objective 5.07: Explore physical features of continents and major bodies of water.

Grade 2

  • Goal 3: The learner will analyze how individuals, families, and communities are alike and different.
    • Objective 3.06: Identify individuals of diverse cultures and describe on their contributions to society.
  • Goal 4: The learner will exhibit an understanding of change in communities over time.
    • Objective 4.02: Analyze environmental issues, past and present, and determine their impact on different cultures.
    • Objective 4.03: Describe human movement in the establishment of settlement patterns such as rural, urban, and suburban.
  • Goal 5: The learner will understand the relationship between people and geography in various communities.
    • Objective 5.01: Define geography and use geographic terms to describe landforms, bodies of water, weather, and climate.
    • Objective 5.03: Compare and contrast the physical features of communities and regions.
    • Objective 5.04: Identify the absolute and relative location of communities.
    • Objective 5.05: Interpret maps, charts, and pictures of locations.

Kindergarten

  • Goal 3: The learner will recognize and understand the concept of change in various settings.
    • Objective 3.02: Evaluate how the lives of individuals and families of the past are different from what they are today.
  • Goal 5: The learner will express basic geographic concepts in real life situations.
    • Objective 5.02: Create and interpret simple maps, models, and drawings of the home, school, and other environments.