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Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map
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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Introducing Maps Through Dance
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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Pirate Map
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.
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Ticky Goes to Jr. Map School
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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Cardinal Directions
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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Where Am I: How to Read a Map
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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Cardinal and Ordinal Directions
Students use a compass to locate cardinal and ordinal directions. In small groups, they describe and create a journey for their classmates using their compass. Groups create a scale map for their classmates to follow and relate this...
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Map It Out
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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Maps
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...
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As the Kids Come and Go: Mapping a Classroom
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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Mapping Your Schoolyard Habitat
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...
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Combining Map and Compass
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.
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Finding Captain Hook's Treasure
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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Gingerbread Map
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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Compass Rose: Dance and Quilt
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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Through the Forest and Home Again: Maps Help Us Find Our Ways
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...
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Orienteering: Map Skills
Students discover orienteering. In this orienteering lesson, students search for six specific landmarks. Students brainstorm how maps and landmarks are helpful.
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What Is A Map?
Students become familiar with a map and what it is used for and become familiar with school and home surroundings. With the familiarity of their surroundings they discover that maps can be created to help them with directions and how to...
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The Sexton and the Compass
Students evaluate how movement patterns create and affect interdependence. They analyze the interactions within and between regions and engage in artistic inquiry, exploration, and discovery in collaboration with others. They design...
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How Do I Get There? Planning a Safe Route to School
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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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,...
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Using the Four Main Directions in the Classroom
Students use the four main directions to locate features in the classroom. In this direction instructional activity, students review the 4 main directions using a world map. Students use a magnetic compass to locate the north wall in...
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Globe Lesson 4 - The Compass
Students study compass' and their use in navigation. In this compass lesson, students use a compass and a globe to answer the questions about navigation.
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Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Map for Me: An Original Story
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....