Curated OER
Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map
Second and third graders practice with basic map skills. They create their own map including a legend and a compass rose. This fabulous plan has many excellent websites linked which allow learners to explore maps of all kinds; including...
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Scaling it Down: Caves Have Maps, Too
Measurement and map skills are the focus of this lesson, where learners crawl through a "cave" made out of boxes, desks and chairs, observing the dimensions. Your young geographers measure various aspects of the cave and practice math...
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Topographic Mapping Skills
In this geography instructional activity, learners read an excerpt about topographic maps and why they are useful for various jobs. They also respond to eleven questions that follow related to the excerpt and locating specific map points...
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Mapping the News
Young scholars explore cartography. In this map skills and map making lesson, Students work in groups to create wall size world maps including legends, compass roses, latitude and longitude, and physical features. Young scholars...
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United States Map- Map Legend/City Symbols
Students investigate the United States map. In this map skills geography lesson plan, students explore city symbols on the map legend and identify them. Students use post-it notes to mark various symbols.
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Map Keys
In this geography worksheet, students identify who a cartographer is and what they do specifically. They study an outline map of a fictitious island and then, respond to the three questions that follow. Finally, students add three more...
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United States Map
Students describe cities they are familiar with. In this United States Map instructional activity, students understand how cities are listed on a map. Students become aware of a map legend and the information in it.
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A Walk Around the School: Mapping Places Near and Far
After reading Pat Hutchins’ Rosie’s Walk, have your young cartographers create a map of Rosie’s walk. Then lead them on a walk around the school. When you return class members sequence the walk by making a list of how the class got from...
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Mapping the Census
Students learn why the census makes a difference. In this U.S. Census lesson plan, students learn the key elements of cartography, examine the difference between data and their representation, and create a map using census data.
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Waldseemuller's Map: World 1507
Students investigate the 1507 word map. In this world geography lesson plan, students examine the details of each section of the map and then draw conclusions about how the people of 1507 understood the world. Students are evalated on...
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BOLTSS Map
In this geography instructional activity, students identify the six features always used on maps. They identify each of these features by the acronym BOLTSS. Students examine the Melbourne Cricket Ground shown and respond to the 4...
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Waldseemüller’s Map: World 1507
Middle schoolers take a closer look at historical maps. In this primary source analysis instructional activity, students examine the first world map produced by Martin Waldseemuller. Middle schoolers complete the included map analysis...
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Natural Features of Our Community
Second graders read about and discuss natural features of communities. They listen to a guest speaker, such as a park ranger to expand their knowledge of natural features. They go on a field trip, if possible, to a local zoo or...
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U.S. Political Map
Students explore the symbols found in a map legend. In this map skills lesson, students locate the legend on a political map and explain what each of the symbols mean. Students locate and identify several symbols on the map.
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What You Can Learn From a Map
Students discover how to interpret maps. In this geography skills lesson, students explore geographic themes as they complete worksheet activities regarding road maps, shaded relief maps, and topographic maps.
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Map It With Pixie
Fourth graders use the computer program 'Pixie' to create a topographic, detailed map for the state they live in. In this mapping skills lesson, 4th graders use Pixie to make a map of their state that includes topographic features, state...
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What You Can Learn From a Map
Young scholars investigate the use of road maps, shadeded relief maps, and topographic maps.
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United States Map- Land Elevation
Learners explore a physical map. In this map skills instructional activity, students discuss examples of elevation and investigate the symbols used to identify elevation on a map. Learners use the map to identify various land elevations.
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Mapping the Garden
Students discuss maps, the features on a map, and why maps are important. They make a map of a garden they will be planting, complete with symbols that represent the various plants they choose to plant.
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Put Me in My Place: Using Alphanumeric Grids to Locate Places
Students practice locating points on a large wall grid and create and label a neighborhood map. For this geography lesson, students spell and discuss places as the teacher places them on the map. They discuss the concept of an...
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How Do I Get There? Planning a Safe Route to School
One much-needed skill for young learners is direction giving. Have your class plan and draw a safe route for them to travel from home to school. They will also draw places and items that are in between home and school in order to build a...
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Our 50 States
Students identify the location of the 50 states using an interactive map. They practice geography skills by playing a fun game. Pupils become familiar with the state abbreviations for the US states. Students become familiar with the...
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Places in My World
Second graders explore where they are located on the globe. In this maps and globes lesson, 2nd graders use a map to show where they live and show the cardinal directions. Students identify characteristics of mountains, flat land,...
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Mesopotamia
Students map Mesopotamia. For this Geography lesson, students are introduced to Ancient Mesopotamia. Students use an atlas to label the defining features and areas of Mesopotamia on a map.