+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Teach Engineering

What is GIS?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Is GIS the real manifestation of Harry Potter's Marauders Map? Introduce your class to the history of geographic information systems (GIS), the technology that allows for easy use of spatial information, with a resource that teaches...
+
Activity
Computer Science Unplugged

The Poor Cartographer—Graph Coloring

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Color the town red. Demonstrate the concept of graph theory with a task that involves determining the least number of colors needed to color a map so that neighboring countries are not represented by the same color. Pupils make...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layers with Lines

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine topographical maps and the challenges faced by cartographers when drawing the maps. While creating collages, they use contour lines to add dimension much in the same way they are used on maps to show elevation.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geo-Class Mapping My Neighborhood

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students create a map of the school and surrounding neighborhood.  In this mapping lesson plan, students discover their school's location and learn about its past.  Students use math skills and the steps in the design process to complete...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cartographer on Assignment: Creating a Physical Map of Africa

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Students use geographic information to make an outline map of Africa, then demonstrate their understanding of the physical landscape of Africa by using a variety of materials to create a physical map of Africa
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Local History: Mapping My Spot

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore maps to discover historical information about their local area.  In this mapping and history lesson, students use panoramic maps of their own town/city to interpret historical information.  Students also place themselves...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Making Maps

For Students 4th - 6th
In 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.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Map Keys

For Students 5th - 8th
In this geography activity, 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...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Aerial Photographs

For Students 9th - 12th
In this geography worksheet, high schoolers read an excerpt about aerial photographs and how they are taken. Then they identify shape, size, tone, shadows, and other hints that might be seen. Finally, students respond to 5 short answer...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Celebration of the Silk Road

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road with a focus on a province in China to identify artifacts and research how these items arrived in the city of Turpan.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Color is the Ocean?

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students view satellite pictures of the ocean, and discuss the presence of phytoplankton and the colors of the ocean. Students compare/contrast ocean satellite images with maps and globes, then color world maps to replicate the satellite...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Be A Cartographer

For Students 4th - 6th
In this be a cartographer activity, students read about the history of cartography, make a map of a familiar place, share it with a friend and answer 2 questions about their friend's map.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading Maps Critically

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Pupils discover that maps represent different values of the cultures who make them. Using the internet, they research the role of a cartographer and how their culture affects them. In groups, they are given examples of maps in which they...
+
Handout
US Department of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Surveying Technicians

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the nature of the work done by surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists. Includes a job outlook and expected income.
+
Handout
US Department of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Surveyor

For Students 9th - 10th
This site will explain what Surveyors, Cartographers, Photogrammetrists, and Surveying Technicians do for a living. It explains everything you would want to know.
+
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: 1562 Map of America by Diego Gutierrez

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the life and work of Spanish cartographer Diego Gutierrez, who mapped the Americas in 1562. Also view his map, which was the largest and most detailed map of the region for a century.
+
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Local History: Mapping My Spot

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students often think of history as tattered documents, worn photographs, and musty books, all of which have little or no relevance to their lives. Maps provide an often-overlooked source of information and a new and compelling...
+
Handout
US Department of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Surveyor

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about what surveyors do and what education one needs to become a surveyor. This article includes sections entitled "What the job is like" and "Preparing for the job."
+
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Martin Waldseemuller

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers a brief biography of Martin Waldseemuller, the German cartographer who first used the name America on a map in 1507.
+
Handout
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Loon Lake Elementary: Explorers: Marco Polo

For Students 3rd - 7th
Find out about the life of an explorer in this brief biography regarding an Italian voyager and merchant, Marco Polo.