Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Map It!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students explore map making. Students' read a story, identify the locations of different places in the story, decide the distance between each set of places in the story, and create a map with a legend.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: How Portugal's Seafaring Expertise Launched the Age of Exploration

For Students 9th - 10th
In the 15th century, a small kingdom with a population of approximately 1 million launched the era of maritime exploration that would transform the world. Portugal turned to the boundless Atlantic Ocean as its only outlet to the wider...
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: History of Railroads and Maps: Railroad Maps 1828 1900

For Students 9th - 10th
This history of the American railroad from the Library of Congress also provides an understanding of how maps and mapmaking were so closely related to the growth of our railway system.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Topography of Fruit

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This is an attempt to help students understand contour lines in map-making through the vector of digital photography. This hands-on activity will create an art piece out of fruit that will be analyzed to create topographic maps.
Activity
Social Studies for Kids

Social Studies for Kids: Latitude and Longitude

For Students 5th - 8th
A collection of latitude and longitude mapping activities ranging from pin-pointing exact locations on the globe to researching the history behind this basic geography concept.
Website
City University of New York

Map Projection Basics: Bits of Map Projection History

For Students 9th - 10th
Surveys the ideas of Claudius Ptolemy (90-170 AD) in regard to the shape of the world and his influence on the history of mapmaking.
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Lewis and Clark Mapping the West

For Students 9th - 10th
Understand the importance of the mapping done by Lewis and Clark as you work through these learning exercises and learn mapmaking skills yourself.
Interactive
University of Oregon

University of Oregon: Interactive Nolli Map of Rome: 1748 Map of Rome

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive Nolli Map introduces students to Rome and the structure of its urban form based on the work of eighteenth-century Italian architect Giambattista Nolli. Using the map engine, navigate through the city at a variety of scales,...
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.
Interactive
Other

Annenberg Center: The Re Districting Game

For Students 9th - 10th
Could mapmakers truly hold the fate of elections in their hands when it comes to shaping voting districts? This interactive site is designed to educate and allow users to become a virtual district mapmaker.
Handout
NOAA

Noaa: National Ocean Service Education: Global Positioning Tutorial

For Students 9th - 10th
Illustrated tutorial explains the history and science of geodesy. Animations help students visualize how scientists measure and monitor the size and shape of the Earth and the location of points on its surface.
Interactive
National Geographic

National Geographic: Map Maker Interactive and 1 Page Map Maker

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This National Geographic feature allows visitors to create their own world maps complete with capitals, oceans, climate information, satellite view, personalized trail markings and more. Choose from a detailed color map or the second...
Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: Making Maps

For Teachers 1st
First graders will learn how to create a map.
Graphic
National Library of France

National Library of France: The Unknown Sea

For Students 9th - 10th
An image-rich exposition of visual art that takes the sea as its a theme. Mythology, fantasy, mapmaking, and the history of sailing and marine exploration are all investigated as are fears about the ocean's power, puzzling beliefs about...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Nidy Gridy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Normally we find things using landmark navigation. When you move to a new place, it may take you awhile to explore the new streets and buildings, but eventually you recognize enough landmarks and remember where they are in relation to...
Website
PBS

Quest: Science Based Google Maps

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Take a journey with your students during science class without your students ever leaving their seat! This website includes how to integrate maps into your curriculum, good content for map making, and what can be included in a map. Also...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Civil War Maps: History of Mapping the Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed, thorough account of commercial map making during the Civil War. Site contains a propaganda map for the Anaconda Plan, encircling the South.
Website
Rice University

Rice University: Cynthia Lanius: Mathematics of Cartography

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Can there be a connection between map making and math? Explore the mathematics of cartography in this resource that integrates web-based instruction, mathematical problem solving, geometry, history, and art. Interesting information and...
Website
US Geological Survey

Geographic Information Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an extensive resource explaining what Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are, how they work, applications of GIS, and GIS through history.
Unit Plan
George Mason University

George Mason University: World History Sources: Maps

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Learn about the history of maps, what makes a map a map, and why bother with maps. Get answers to many different map questions and much more.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Mapping Our Worlds

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
In this lesson, introduce your learners to the world of maps and discover a world of information online. Students learn how to identify different types of maps, comparing maps to the rooms of a house.
Activity
Other

Valparaiso University: Carl Ritter

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Valparaiso University provides information on Carl Ritter and Alexander von Humboldt, two famous geographers.
Activity
Can Teach

Can Teach: Creating an Edible Map

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This imaginative lesson uses food products to demonstrate the physical characteristics of maps.
Lesson Plan
TOPS Learning Systems

Top Science: Treasure Map [Pdf]

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
An activity where students construct a 3-D scene using lentils and props, and bury a coin in it. They then create a map showing the location of the buried coin. This lesson from TOPScience gives clear instructions on how to use this...

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