Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Combining Map and Compass

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers practice using the map and compass to find a location. In this geography lesson series, students identify basic requirements needed when traveling in the wilderness. They plan a healthy menu for a backpacking trip.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Basic Mapping Skills

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Establish and study the parts of a map with your class and, then they will work in small groups to create their own detailed map, including a legend.  There are specific instructions to follow on what needs to be included.
Activity
Parkwood Hill Intermediate

Map Skills Project

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Young pupils develop their mapping skills and knowledge by designing their own islands, using geographic terms and physical features they have learned as features of their work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Skills

For Teachers 3rd
Thirds graders reinforce that a map is a drawing that shows what a place looks like from above. They use a map key and symbols to create a map of the school and its neighborhood.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orienteering - Lesson 1 - Maps & Map Scales

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Lesson 1 of 10 lessons in this orienteering unit is about maps and map scales. After all, orienteering is all about maps, compasses, and finding ones' way around. It is imperative to be able to read maps and understand the relevance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pirate Map

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students write directions explaining how to get from one location to another by using a map of their town and use simple maps to identify and locate places.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Maps

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Maps, globes, and computer software aid young explorers as they locate state capitols, major cities, geographic features, and attractions for states they are researching. They then use desktop publishing software to create a map to share...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the News

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore cartography.  In this map skills and map making lesson, Students work in groups to create wall size world maps including legends, compass roses, latitude and longitude, and physical features.  Students collect...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map It!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders demonstrate map making skills by using the computer to create maps of the geographic features, regions, and economy for their state.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Walk Around the School: Mapping Places Near and Far

For Teachers K - 1st
After reading Pat Hutchins’ Rosie’s Walk, have your young cartographers create a map of Rosie’s walk. Then lead them on a walk around the school. When you return class members sequence the walk by making a list of how the class got from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Christopher Columbus: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

For Teachers K
Learn more about maps by examining Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Kindergartners will learn about basic map skills and how to identify the compass rose, oceans, and land masses. They will also discover the purpose of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecology Explorers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create accurate, detailed map showing physical features, plants and trees, and other details of three school sites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Your Schoolyard Habitat

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Learners explore the terrain, structures, plants and signs of habitats around their schoolyard. They draw a sketch map showing the different areas around the schoolyard. Students identify the location of weeds and native plants on their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Maps

For Teachers 1st
First graders create a map of their classroom that can be used to find a hidden treasure. They examine two- and three-dimensional objects and discover characteristics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orienteering: Map Skills

For Teachers K - 4th
Students discover orienteering. In this orienteering lesson, students search for six specific landmarks. Students brainstorm how maps and landmarks are helpful.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Through the Forest and Home Again: Maps Help Us Find Our Ways

For Teachers K - 1st
Students read Little Red Riding Hood, focusing on her path home to Grandma's house. In this language arts and geography lesson, students perform a reader's theater, re-creating the walk home and possible routes that could have been...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Me on the Map: Homes, Neighborhoods, and Communities

For Teachers K - 1st
Students read a book about maps and identify the differences between a picture and a map. In this maps lesson plan, students also label maps of their home, neighborhood, and community.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map It With Pixie

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use the computer program 'Pixie' to create a topographic, detailed map for the state they live in. In this mapping skills lesson, 4th graders use Pixie to make a map of their state that includes topographic features, state...