Measurement and map skills are the focus of this lesson, where young scholars crawl through a "cave" made out of boxes, desks and chairs, observing the dimensions.  Your young geographers measure various aspects of the cave and...

Capture the engagement of young mathematicians with this upper-elementary math lesson on measuring time and distance. Using Google Maps, learners first measure and compare the distance and time it takes to travel between different...

Young scholars study things the you need to know to read a map and explain location.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Students identify map projections and examine polar maps. In this map skills lesson, students use a flat world map to identify various projections and calculate the distances between locations by using a map scale.

Students identify the routes involved in the Gold Rush on a map. In this map skills instructional activity, students use a United States map to locate the routes used to travel to California during the Gold Rush. Students demonstrate how...

Students identify and locate cattle trails on a globe. In this map skill lesson plan, students use a marker to locate Texas and Montana and use the map scale to calculate the distance of the cattle trail.

Students explore cartography.  In this map skills and map making instructional activity, Students work in groups to create wall size world maps including legends, compass roses, latitude and longitude, and physical features. ...

Students 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 different...

First graders make two maps. In this developing and reading maps instructional activity, 1st graders read Mapping Penny's World, discuss the parts of a map, create a map of their classroom, and create a list of directions of how to get...

Students are introduced to the concept of ratios. In groups, they convert sets of numbers into a ratio. After practicing, they use the ratios and proportions to solve story problems. They also calculate map distances and discover map...

Students interpret topographic maps and infer human activity as it is influenced by the landscape.

Class members are transformed into explorers as they work in groups to locate hidden items and map their journey along the way. They then leave clues for other groups of students to follow, and ultimately discover how past explorations...

Pupils create building and models using scale factors. In this geometry lesson, students apply the properties of ratio and proportion to solve problems. They identify the means and extremes property of cross multiplication.

Here is an excellent cross-curricular lesson. Learners relate multiplication to area by making a grid on graph paper, and then creating the same grid in real space outside in the school yard.

Eighth graders practice the skill of reading maps.  In this geography lesson, 8th graders participate in a classroom lecture on how to read a map. 

Seventh graders describe the major features of maps and compasses. They read a topographical map. They take a bearing using a compass. They practice using scales on a map.

Students use the mapping skills to explore New York's Central Park. They examine a map of Central Park to discover its features. After discussing the characteristics of the park, students design their own dream park and draw it to scale.

Eighth graders solve problems using proportions with scaled drawings. They work with maps and blue-prints discussing scales and plans and examine different polygons and figure out the scale factors or proportions they have been changed by.

Learners use maps, globes, geographic information systems and other sources of information to analyze the nature of places at a variety of scales. They identify on a map and determine the population of the city, county, state, country...

Young scholars identify the locations of the Hopewell culture. In this map skills lesson, students use a globe to mark several locations of the Hopewell culture.