Mapping the Earth Teacher Resources

Before maps went mobile, people actually had to learn how to read maps. Pupils look at map elements in order to understand how to read them and locate specific locations. Finally, young cartographers discover how to make aerial maps.

In this projections worksheet, students look at projection maps of Earth and complete short answer questions about them. Students complete 4 questions.

Here is your go-to student resource on primary geography concepts, including facts about the surface of the earth and its hemispheres, latitude and longitude, globes, types of maps, and identifying continents and oceans.

You can literally study the ends of the earth in this presentation, which takes students through the steps of mapping coordinates using projections. These slides could be helpful in a geography class, as well as an earth science class.

A colorful wedge of Earth, map of tectonic plates, and numbered facts about Earth structure fill the first two pages of this resource. After reading and absorbing the information, geologists get into groups and make clay models to...

The last activity in a nine-part series has teams create a Google Earth map using the data they collected during a field trip. Using the map, groups analyze the results and make adjustments to the map to reflect their analysis. A short...

Students explain what the earth's surface is made of, what the equator is, what the prime meridian is, and how the earth's hemisphere is created.

Using Google Earth and the "Neighborhood Map Machine" program the fourth and fifth graders are able to use their technology skills to create a map of their houses.

Everything from adding an overlay to uploading images to navigating the software, teachers become apt at using Google Earth™ in the classroom to create Earth Science lessons.

Learners discuss different landscapes. In this map lesson, students describe what they see when they travel between home and school. Learners use a landscape picture map to locate the places or objects they see.

In this map instructional activity, students read about mapping the Earth's surface and answer questions about globes, maps, cartographers, types of map projections and reading maps.

A virtual field trip takes enthusiastic travelers to the pyramids of Giza. Using Google, scholars explore the grounds of the ancient pyramids found in Egypt then complete three worksheets: a photo analysis page, a reflection sheet, and a...

Eighth graders use different types of maps to find locations and surface features.  In this map-reading instructional activity students use a compass to find direction.

Middle schoolers make a grid and coordinate system map of their classroom as they investigate why it is important to have a common map making system. They look at how landmarks are used for navigating an area.

Students examine and identify the various types of maps. Using two types of maps, they compare the data that can be gathered from each one. They also identify and locate the continents and the oceans. They review the purposes of each...

Students use photo images from space to create a large map of the United States or the world, find where they live and label other places they know. They are exposed to a Web resource that allows them to view photo images of Earth taken...

Using an allegorical apple, locating resources by country and creating a webpage are the activities for your Junior high students. After these, they should recognize that the world has limited resources and understand the importance of...

Eight groups in your class are each responsible for a different aspect of surveying the campus for a suitable rain garden location. Features to consider include water flow, topography, sun/shade patterns, land surface, vegetation,...

How do scientists provide evidence to support the theories they put forth? What clues do they put together to create these theories? After watching West of the West's documentary Island Rotation class members engage in a series of...

Have you ever wanted to travel the world? Take a virtual trip with a geography lesson that uses longitude and latitude, the position of the sun, an astronomy app, and a classroom globe.

Explore the role of the Sumatran elephant in its environment. Through research, learners discover the importance of the elephants on the ecosystem. Using Google maps, they identify additional species on the island and use their research...

Students examine the Earth at night. In this geography lesson, students identify the continents at night using various Internet Web sites. This lesson may be adapted for use with middle school and high school students.

Third graders recognize and locate Frigid, Temperate, and Torrid climatic zones on the word map or globe. They explain that plants, animals, and human societies display adaptations to the climates they live in .

Students evaluate earth science by examining maps in class. In this world geography activity, students examine a spherical map and identify several important locations including the prime meridian, Antarctic Circle and tropic of Cancer....