Maryland by Air Lesson Starters
Get ready to learn about Maryland from the seat of a World War II biplane, soaring over the state’s natural wonders and historic landscapes in MPT’s one-of-a-kind, "shot from the air" documentary, Maryland by Air.
The lesson starters below will take you from western Maryland to southern Maryland and all corners of the Chesapeake Bay. In two social studies lesson starters, students will explore the importance of lighthouses on the Bay and the history of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The science lesson starters will help students learn about rock and fossil layers, as well as weathering and erosion. Select a topic below to find video clips, essential and guiding questions, learning extensions, and other student supports to use in your classroom.
Social Studies Lesson Starters
Lighthouses have long played an important role in maritime history, using their light to provide direction and warnings to boats. In this lesson, we will learn about the importance of lighthouses in the Chesapeake Bay, different lighthouse constructions, and the life of a lighthouse keeper.
> Go to Maryland’s Lighthouses Lesson
Canals are narrow, manmade waterways that have been around for thousands of years. Some canals carry water to farms to water crops. In this lesson, we will learn why the C&O Canal was built and how it helped with transportation throughout history.
> Go to The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Lesson
Science Lesson Starters
Calvert Cliffs in Maryland contain many important fossils that reveal the history of our state and the environmental changes it has undergone over time. In this lesson, we will analyze rock and fossil layers to explore how scientists use these clues to piece together Earth’s past.
> Go to Calvert Cliffs: Rock and Fossil Layers Lesson
Frederick County, Maryland, is home to many historic covered bridges that have been maintained and restored for over a hundred years. In this lesson, we will explore why these bridges were originally built with roofs and examine the natural processes that cause bridge materials to decay over time.
> Go to Weathering and Erosion of Bridges Lesson