Explore Europe and some of its countries, geography, and resources with our curated lesson plans, activities, and articles.
User our printable country report along with your studies of countries in Europe.
- Y—Young (PreK-3rd)
- M—Middle (4th-6th)
- O—Older (7th-12th)
- T—Teacher Resources
Crash Course European History Preview; see the full European History playlist
History and Geography
Crash Course European History (O)
The preview video for this course is embedded above. Visit YouTube for the playlist of 50 episodes: "In 50 episodes, John Green will teach you about European History to give you an overview of Europe’s history and connection with the world from 1450 to the present. This course is based on the AP European History Course Description and college-level Introduction to Western Civilization curriculum."
UW-Madison European Studies (Y,M,O,T)
A curated a list of Europe-focused media. "You can make learning about Europe engaging and relevant with current news articles, popular music, and film. Use our media suggestions to augment your lesson plan, or for your own edification and enjoyment!" Preview for suitability.
Europe Unit (O,T)
Mr. Gilbert is an 8th grade World Geography teacher who has shared lesson plans for Europe. "The Europe Unit is 5 week experience that contains 2 maps of the region (Political & Physical), an Activity Packet, website travel project, current events focus activity and a Medieval History Unit."
Continents, Counties, and Maps (Y,T)
In this seven-lesson unit for 1st grade, students begin "by exploring maps, looking at different types of maps and how to read them. Students then travel across the seven continents and the four oceans."
Europe: A selection of stories (T)
"Explore the wars, battles, leaders, civilizations, regimes, prominent figures and major events from the continent that encompasses 2 percent of the Earth’s surface. From Stonehenge to the Great Awakening to the French Revolution to the rise and fall of Communism in Russia, see how Europe’s often tumultuous history unfolded." From the History Channel; preview for suitability
Physical Geography of Europe (M,O,T)
Explore the physical geography of Europe with this article and vocabulary list from NatGeo Education.
Europe's Resources (M,O,T)
Explore the resources of Europe with this article and vocabulary list from NatGeo Education.
Europe Facts for Kids (Y,M)
"Fun Facts" about Europe, as well as a coloring map for learning the countries of Europe.
Europe Interactive Map Quiz (Y,M,O)
Can be used in Study, Practice, or Test modes.
Medieval Europe (M,T)
Grade 4 History & Geography unit. "Students learn about the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, Charlemagne, the feudal system, castles and manors, chivalry, the growth of towns, women in the Middle Ages, William the Conqueror, the Magna Carta, Parliament, Joan of Arc, the plague, and the legacy of the Middle Ages."
The Renaissance (M,T)
Grade 5 History & Geography unit. "This unit introduces students to the Renaissance, which began in Italian city-states and then spread across much of Europe, propelled by Gutenberg’s printing press."
European Union (EU)
World FactBook: European Union (M,O,T)
From the CIA
The European Union (M,O,T)
Basics about the European Union and its history
University of Pittsburgh European Studies Center (T)
A large collection of Open Source K-12 lesson plans for learning about Europe and the European Union. Topics vary widely so verify a lesson is suitable for your particular students before use. The page also has college-level resources for more advanced students.
Europe in a Nutshell (M,O,T)
A short introduction to Europe and the European Union (EU) for 9 to 15 year olds
Discover the European Union (Y,M,O,T)
Lesson plans and activities for K-12 for learning about the European Union and its countries; from the Learning Corner of the official EU website
How to Teach Kids about the European Union (T)
Resources from a teacher from Poland
NATO
North Atlanta Treaty Organization (M,O,T)
Learn about NATO's history and objectives
What is NATO? (M,O,T)
A brief overview of what NATO does and how it works.
Lesson on NATO: Its Past, Present, and Future (O,T)
A short unit in which high school students will analyze the factors leading to the creation of NATO, assess the strengths and weaknesses of NATO throughout its history, and consider the present and future of NATO.
Lesson Plan: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (O,T)
This lesson from C-SPAN Classroom traces the history of NATO from its formation in 1949 through 2020.
