NOAA
Mapping the Ocean Floor: Bathymetry
Bathymetry is not a measure of the depths of bathtubs! Through the three lessons, scholars explore two different types of maps and how they are made. The resource focuses on topographic and bathymetric maps and teaching the techniques...
DocsTeach
Analyzing a Map of the Louisiana Purchase
With the stroke of a pen, Thomas Jefferson roughly doubled the size of the United States. The Louisiana Purchase not only grew the new country, but also it gave rise to the legends surrounding westward expansion and accelerated the...
Curated OER
Understanding: Geography
Students explore their neighborhoods. In this geography lesson, students make a map of their neighborhood. They must include a key, natural terrain, buildings and streets. They also write a descriptive paragraph about their neighborhood.
Curated OER
Map-Making Basics
Students study maps. In this geography and art lesson, students create their own map of the classroom.
Curated OER
Mapping the Past
Students study historical maps to view how the world evolved from medieval times through the Renaissance. They work in groups to examine the maps and present a report on one of the listed maps.
Curated OER
Polar Day: Living in the Canadian North
Students study the Canadian North. In this Canadian North lesson, students study the physical characteristics and the lifestyles of people in that region. Students complete map making and creative activities that help them learn about...
Curated OER
Visualizing Inequality, Envisioning a Future
Students practice their geography skills. In this mapping skills lesson, students examine interactive MDG maps online and create their own community maps that tackle hunger issues.
Curated OER
Mapmaking
Students examine the craft of cartography and how the Lewis and Clark expedition created and used maps. They analyze maps, read a handout, create a map, participate in a mini expedition and map out a route based on travel directions,...
Curated OER
Schoolyard Geology
Discover that maps show information about an area and that they have common features like scales and legends. View an aerial map of your school and find features on the map such as the playground, roads, and trees. Trace the outline of...
Curated OER
Map Making
Students use a tennis ball and paper to construct a student-made globe. They sketch in continents and major map features and then compare a flat map to a globe.
Curated OER
Geography: Map Making
Students, working in groups, share notes and maps collected during a study of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They draw large composite maps of the western United States on butcher paper including land formations, bodies of water, and...
Curated OER
Making Maps
For this map making worksheet, students learn about the science of making maps, which is cartography. They then answer the 11 questions on the worksheet. The answers are on the last page.
Curated OER
Map Making Exercise
Students complete a Web Quest in order to determine why Harlem was an attractive place for African Americans to live. They study a map of Harlem in the 1930's.
Curated OER
The Case of the "Lost Gorge:
Middle schoolers examine the case of a map making expedition. In groups, they read a case study on "The Lost Gorge" in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. They examine maps and determine where the error in the map-making occured...
Curated OER
Mapping Roxaboxen
Fourth graders read Roxaboxen and draw a map of the Roxaboxen community. In this language arts and geography lesson plan, 4th graders use specifications given, adding features to the map as described in the book and creating a legend.
Curated OER
Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Map for Me: An Original Story
Pupils read Blackbeard and brainstorm their knowledge of maps. In this language arts and geography lesson, students use landmarks on their playground to review north, south, east and west and discuss the compass rose. Pupils read This is...
Curated OER
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Young scholars watch a portion of "The Wizard of Oz" and discuss how a map could be useful to Dorothy. They identify key components of maps and design a map of their classroom, including a key.
Curated OER
Silk Roads Big Map
Students create an oversized map from Europe to East Asia. They include information such as Silk Roads, geographical features, major cities and cultural information on their map.
Curated OER
Lesson 2: Mapping With Words
Students demonstrate an understanding of the personal relationship that Wabanaki peoples had with the land by analyzing selected Wabanaki place names. They practice map-reading and map-making skills.
Curated OER
Mapmaking: Colorado Quarter Reverse
Students examine the Colorado quarter reverse and draw symbols of the state's land and water features on maps. Using copies of the Colorado reverse, they color the coin design. They list reasons for the state's motto of "Colorful Colorado"
Curated OER
Exploring the Various Regions of Boyle Heights: Continuity and Change
Student study the local landscape of Boyle Heights, California and draw a sketch of the area. Students use map making skills in this activity. Studient make a portfolio of information and photographs they accumulate over time on the area.
Curated OER
Map Making with Lewis and Clark
Students develop maps based on a virtual internet expedition of The Louisiana Purchase land area. They create the maps based on an actual outdoor expedition of their communities. Student create two maps, one based on the Louisiana...
Curated OER
Kid Maps: Reading and Creating Maps with Human Characteristics
Young scholars look at maps. In this map lesson, students listen to the book My Map Book by Sara Fanelli and they see the difference between human characteristics (buildings, etc.) and natural characteristics (rivers, etc.). They create...
Curated OER
Map Making
First graders explore maps to realize the concept that maps are simply small representations of a much bigger picture. They discuss the importance of maps in everyday life, examine a map of the school, and then make a map of their...