Curated OER
Map Projections
Learners view examples of various map projections using a website. Students record differences between the map projections. Learners discuss uses for the various map projections and the differences between the maps they viewed. ...
Curated OER
Maps and the Pictures in Our Heads
Geographers of all ages examine different types of maps. They draw maps of their environment, utilizing both three-dimensional and picture maps. They interpret map information, noting how it can sometimes be misleading. Some good...
Owl Teacher
Introduction to World of Geography Test
Assess your learners on the five themes of geography and the most important key terms and concepts from an introductory geography unit. Here you'll find an assessment with 15 fill-in-the-blank and 14 multiple-choice questions, sections...
Curated OER
Map Projections: The Grapefruit Activity
Students partcipate in activities in which they examine different map projections. They discover the positives and negatives of each type. They use grapefruits to help them with the different types of map projections.
Curated OER
Basic Mapping Skills
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.
Curated OER
Exploring Maps: Lesson 2 Guide: Navigation
Students explore and examine how maps have been used in navigation. They research how travelers collected observations to keep track of their positions and plotted information on maps. Each student then makes a Mercator projection...
Owl Teacher
Introduction to World Geography
Give your learners a thorough overview of what they will learn when studying geography, from the five themes of geography (location, place, environment, movement, and regions) to the tools of a geographer and parts of a map.
Curated OER
Mapping the New World Lesson Plan
Learners compare two maps of the same area from different time periods. In this American History lesson, students look at two maps of the English colonies from 1636 and 1651. They discuss why the maps changed and predict maps from the...
Curated OER
World Political Map
In this blank outline map worksheet, students note the political boundaries of the nations of the world on a Mercator projection map.
Curated OER
The Global Grapefruit - Representing a 3-Dimensional Globe on a 2-Dimensional Map
Students compare and contrast world maps and globes. They convert a 3-dimensional globe to a 2-dimensional map. They are introduced to the Mercator map projection. They observe map distortions of shape, area, distance, directions and angle.
Curated OER
Navigation
Learners explain that globes are the best way to show positions of places, but flat maps are portable and can show great detail. They make a mercator projection of the route Lewis and Clark took on their journey.
Curated OER
Where in the Latitude Are You? A Longitude Here.
Students distinguish between latitude and longitude on the map. In this mapping lesson, students participate in mapping skills to recognize spatial relationships, and where to find natural resources on the map. Students create...
Curated OER
Water and Land 207
Students examine maps of different projections, mathematically calculate distortions, and note the advantages and disadvantages of each map. They study the different maps and transfer the map to graph paper.
Curated OER
Flat Earth Society
Students explore map distortion. In this geography lesson, students compare Mercator projection maps to globes in order to understand the strengths and weaknesses of projection maps.
Curated OER
From Pirates to Pilots to Spies
Sixth graders enjoy this introduction to the world of map projections, globes, aerial photographs, and satellite images. This lesson instructs students on the advantages and disadvantages of each earthly representation.
Curated OER
Making Sense Of A Round World On A Flat Surface
Young scholars engage in a lesson that is concerned with the development of geography skills. They take part in a number of activities that center around finding and traveling to different locations. The lesson has resource links that...
Curated OER
Mapmakers' Perspective
Students examine several maps and consider mapmakers' perspective in early depictions of North America.They determine how the spherical shape of the earth makes any north-south and east-west orientation a matter of perspective. For...
Curated OER
Making a Globe
Students examine the mercator projection or nautical chart and observe how global maps do not have the same distance as flat maps. They design handmade globes using the meridians and equator as guides to draw in the land. They paint and...
Other
Metrocosm: Your World Map Is Hiding Something
The Mercator projection is the map everyone is most familiar with, however, this map gives a distorted view of our world. Find out why and compare other map projections. Have fun clicking on the maps and changing the projections to see...
Other
University of Connecticut: The Geographer's Craft: Map Projection Overview
An advanced overview of map projections with illustrative graphics. Created by Peter H. Dana, Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin in 1995.
Rice University
Rice University: Cynthia Lanius: Mathematics of Cartography: Projections
Understanding map projections is an important map-reading skill. Features graphics and links to examples of many different projections and an activity on making a Mercator projection.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Types of Maps
Enchanted Learning provides an easy-to-understand explanation of projections. Site also provides a graph of related terms such as conic projection, cylindrical projection, Mercator projection, and more.
Other
The True Size
In an effort to illustrate the spatial concepts of maps, this program provides the ability to select countries or continents and move them over others to better visualize the sizes of each of them.