Learning about Maps
If the students in your classroom are new to using maps or have some experience, the digital story below can be helpful in your classroom. In this video, second and/or third grade students will gain exposure to the basic components on a map as well as have the opportunity to practice navigating a map. Through watching the video, students will learn about the appearance, name, and function of a compass rose, key/legend, and scale. There are many examples provided, which can help make this learning experience fun and interactive.
This video could be effective in introducing students to maps for the first time. It could serve as an introduction to the purpose of a map as well as the appearance and function of the different tools located on a map. However, this video could also be used as a review for older students that are more familiar with using maps. Since it briefly explains the components of a map and provides a few examples, it could be a quick refresher before a lesson begins to focus on more complex geographic concepts.
Enjoy!
The video above can be helpful in beginning to meet the follow Grade Level Content Expectations in Michigan:
2 – G1.0.2 Use maps to describe the spatial organization of the local community by applying concepts including relative location and using distance, direction, and scale (Michigan Department of Education, 2011).
3 – G1.0.1 Use cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) to describe the relative location of significant places in the immediate environment (Michigan Department of Education, 2011).
The pictures found in the video above are from the following resources:
“Compass Rose.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.clker.com/cliparts/0/1/5/b/1197094386315373472freedo_Compass_rose.svg.med.png
“Interactive U.S.A Map.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/sea.html
“Map Key.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.kidsgeo.com/images/map-key.jpg
“Map of Mali.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/ontheline/schools/magicmali/images/map3.jpg
Michigan Department of Education (2011). Second Grade Science Grade Level Content Expectations. Science v.1.09 Grade Level Content Expectations. Retrieved from
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753_33232---,00.html
“Midwest Map.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.freeworldmaps.net/united-states/midwest/midwest_political_map.gif
“Question Marks.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://cache.heraldinteractive.com/blogs/sports/rap_sheet/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/question-marks2.jpg
“Reading Maps.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.jc-schools.net/write/socst/readingmaps.ppt
“Using a Map (Basic).” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/map-skills.html
“Western USA Map.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.northamericanforts.com/West/west-usa.gif
“World: Longitude and Latitude.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.conradaskland.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/world-map.jpg
“World Map.” February 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.freeworldmaps.net/world/physical_world_map.jpg
