Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scaling it Down: Caves Have Maps, Too

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Measurement and map skills are the focus of this lesson, where students crawl through a "cave" made out of boxes, desks and chairs, observing the dimensions.  Your young geographers measure various aspects of the cave and practice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playground Mapping

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students convert their physical models of a playground from a previous lesson into a map of the playground that includes a scale and key. They examine and discuss examples of maps, view an image to map photo essay, and create a map using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Math and Measurement

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Engage the class in exploring linear measurement and map scales. They work in groups to measure various distances in the classroom and convert measurements to other units as directed by the teacher. To access this Word document, click on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Making/Floor Plans/Map Reading

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students apply their knowledge of scale when mapping the classroom. They determine the use of a map legend and orient a map using a compass. They create the classroom maps using transfer graph paper.
Lesson Plan
Civil War Trust

Map the Civil War

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Mapmaking was a very important element in successfully planning attacks on enemies during the Civil War. Guide pupils through the process of pacing to find the average length of their steps, measure the distance between one object...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Field Mapping with a Compass and Pace

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars practice using compass and calibrate their own pace, take field measurements of pre-set course with compass and pace, convert measurements into map, using angles and vectors, and make composite class map by adjusting...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are We There Yet?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discover how to use maps and why they are important when using a map. They calculate distance using a map scale and time using travel speed and a map scale.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Adventures

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore the relationship between a scale drawing and actual distance. In this mapping lesson, students use an amusement park map to determine distances and what they would be like in real life.
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.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Real World Investigation- Math and Geography- Elevation Changes

For Students 6th
In this math and geography real world investigation, 6th graders plan a driving trip to a city that is located several states away from their home while recording the elevations of three cities that are included in the trip. They use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Crash Scene

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore geography by participating in a mapping activity. In this engineering lesson, 5th graders identify the differences between latitude and longitude and practice locating precise points on a globe or map. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan: Using Maps and Scales to Get to the Basketball Hall of Fame

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students view a quicktime video of basketball players going from Atlanta to Springfield, Mass. In this scaling lesson, students use a map to calculate the distance of the trip and the length of travel time. Students apply ratio and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Hudson in 1609

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
While this lesson focuses on a study of the Hudson River, it could be used as a template for a discussion of map skills, converting measurements, and plotting a route. The lesson includes vocabulary and other resources to make it a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Come Into my Parlor

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
An interesting cross-curricular lesson on dairy farming awaits your students. Elements of language arts, math, social studies, and agriculture are all present. Many excellent worksheets and a good article on dairy farming are included in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Johnny Appleseed Walkabout

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders calculate mileage for a journey. In this place value and measurement lesson, 2nd graders read Johnny Appleseed, work in groups to locate his birthplace on a map, locate the other states he stopped in, and measure the...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Spatial Connections

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students use maps, scales, and describe locations in order to learn about spatial sense. In this spatial sense lesson plan, students participate in many activities for this spatial sense unit that should last throughout the year.
Lesson Plan
Edgate

Great Grids

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Learners use grid boxes as a measurement tool and discover how grids are used for mapmaking and scaling down an area. They begin by attempting to draw a model shape drawn by the teacher by using the gridding process. At the conclusion of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Are Here

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners map local places and learn to use scale and distance.  In this mapping lesson, students map their school and a favorite place.  Learners recreate their maps showing distance and scale sizes. Students locate their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial Vacation Planner

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Looking for a good lesson plan on the Colonial Period for your upper-elementary class? Then, this lesson plan is for you! They use website designs, U.S. travel publications, and maps to plan a family vacation to states which were part of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Pilgrims

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students use distance measuring tools to follow directions and chart the path the pilgrims made from Plymouth, England to Boston, Massachusetts. In this Pilgrim voyage lesson, students use a map to chart the distance traveled by the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inches Away

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students are introduced to maps, scale representations, ratios and cartography. They plot the itinerary for their family's dream vacation or a trip across the United States. Using maps, they determine the short route and second longer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Contouring We Go

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the built environment and infrastructures of their community by constructing contour equipment, using the equipment, and comparing their results to current topographical maps of the same area
Activity
Curated OER

Middle Ages Cross Curriculum Project

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers complete several projects on the Middle Ages. In this world history lesson, students complete language arts, social studies, math, and science projects. Some of these include: comparing a teenager's life now to that in...