LEARN NC

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

How do we find our way?

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/02/g68/animalnav.html

A lesson plan for Grade 5 Social Studies

Provider: National Geographic

About this resource

Appropriate grades
5
Subjects
social studies (geography), thinking skills (information literacy, research skills, visual literacy), teaching methods (discussions)
Provider
National Geographic

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In this Xpeditions lesson, students consider whether they have a good sense of direction and whether they are able to navigate using mental maps versus needing equipment.

Students will:

  • discuss their experiences with trying to find their way using mental maps and a sense of direction;
  • read the Lewis and Clark online feature, and list the skills, abilities, and equipment the expedition members needed to use on their journey;
  • list the skills, abilities, and equipment they would need to successfully find their way on foot through the Rocky Mountains; and
  • discuss and write paragraphs comparing the navigational abilities and equipment used on the Lewis and Clark expedition with those available today.

Xpeditions provides detailed instructions for completing the lesson, suggestions for related children’s book titles, assessment and extension activities, and links to helpful web resources.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply key geographic concepts to the United States and other countries of North America.
    • Objective 1.01: Describe the absolute and relative location of major landforms, bodies of water,and natural resources in the United States and other countries of North America.