Lesson Plan
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Compass Rose: Dance and Quilt

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify the cardinal directions by listening to a song entitled, "Stand," and by reviewing the lyrics to that song. They notice the cardinal directions that are posted around the classroom. They perform the motions as...
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Ticky Goes to Jr. Map School

For Teachers 1st
First graders sing "We All Live Together," by Greg and Steve. They look at a map and sing the "Soggy Waffle Song" to study about the compass rose. Students write N, E, S, W on the borders of paper that goes under a 100's chart. The...
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Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
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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Cardinal Directions

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore cardinal directions. In this social studies instructional activity, students create maps of home and school using the cardinal directions.
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Map It Out

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create obstacle course maps. They lay out their course on the playground, using symbols for trees, fences, etc, Students, in groups, exchange maps and then follow the courses.
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Map Directions and the United States

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders search TDC database for images of a compass rose, a miles marker, and a US map. They identify cardinal and intermediate directions to help identify their state and other states on a US map.
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U.S. Geography- The Northeast

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the geography of the Northeast states. In this map skills lesson, students are shown a map of the Northeast states and identify the state names and borders. Students construct individual maps of the Northeast using...
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Treasure Hunt!

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students follow directions on a worksheet to follow directions on a map of the United States and Territories of the United States. In this directions worksheet, students use a compass rose and learn the directions.
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As the Kids Come and Go: Mapping a Classroom

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
Map the classroom with your kids to help them understand how maps work and how to read them. The lesson starts off with a story about animals living and moving around the globe, and then kids create maps of their classroom to show how...
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Gingerbread Map

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read the book Gingerbread Baby, identify local features and cardinal directions on a map, and then construct their own map. In this mapping lesson plan, 2nd graders construct their own map in groups based on where the baby...
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Name that Wind

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study wind and the direction terms related to wind. In this meteorology lesson, students learn about the wind directions by completing a wind direction activity where kids locate cones marked with the specific wind...
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Where Am I: How to Read a Map

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders develop an understanding of maps. They explore what a map is, who uses maps, and how to use maps. Students investigate the compas rose. They create a compose rose which illustrates the cardinal directions. Students practice...
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Introducing Maps Through Dance

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students are introduced to the key concepts of maps; direction, pathway/line, shape and symbol. They create the pathways and shapes they have "mapped" out on paper on the floor. They dance along the paths.
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Cartography Project

For Teachers 1st - 8th
A lesson involving mapping, the use of a compass, writing and following directions, and exploring the first two themes of geography is here for you. Learners create original maps that show the routes they take through their own...
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Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Map for Me: An Original Story

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students read Blackbeard and brainstorm their knowledge of maps. In this language arts and geography instructional activity, students use landmarks on their playground to review north, south, east and west and discuss the compass rose....
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Finding Captain Hook's Treasure

For Teachers K - 5th
Students use their map-reading skills to find Captain Hook's treasure. They see how the directions on a map correspond with "real-life" directions, and that symbols on a map represent real things.
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How Do I Get There? Planning a Safe Route to School

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
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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Geo-Town

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders use a checklist to construct a Geo-Town map including a compass rose, a map key, and a paragraph about a walk around Geo-Town, using appropriate geometric and directional vocabulary to identify the two-dimensional figures...
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Blowing in the Wind

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify and interpret maps, graphs, charts, tables and political cartoons. Students identify what a compass rose is and review its meaning in relation to standard directions. Students design their own weathervanes. Students...
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Navigating Your Community

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners draw a map from memory describing the route between their classroom and the gym including a legend, a compass rose, a map scale, symbols, and a landmark at every change of direction. They then retrace their steps in their maps...
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Roll With The Punches: Crossroads to Where?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders visualize and create a map to outline scenes from the novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. They understands the importance of organizing information when making maps and giving directions.
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Follow the Light

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the role of lighthouses in navigation and practice the use of cardinal directions through reading activities, discussion, locating geographical features, and mapping lighthouses along the east coast of the United...
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Radial Design Mandala

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students design original radial art designs.In this radial design lesson, students use compasses and a nature inspired idea to create radial art. Students understand the use of symmetry, balance and design shapes in continual patterns....
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Route To School Mapping Assignment

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a map showing the route from home to school. Students include a legend, compass, label buildings, and color the map route on the map. They write out specific directions.