Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Mental Map

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discuss maps and explore the concept of the mental maps they use to navigate their everyday routines including the importance of landmarks. They draw a map of how they travel from home to school.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mind Map

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners form a mental map of their residence in relation to school and recreate it on paper showing distance, direction, location and symbols. This lesson is designed to introduce young scholars to geographic thinking.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Putting the World in Perspective

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students work in small groups to: make a mental map of the world by tearing paper shapes of the seven continents and locating them on a flat surface in their relative positions, compare their finished mental map to a reference world map,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just Draw Me a Map!!!!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students draw a map to give directions to someone rather then give them too many relative locations.
Lesson Plan
Perkins School for the Blind

Beginning Map Skills

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Maps can be so much fun, they help you understand spatial relationships, distance between objects, and can foster direction skills. Budding cartographers with visual impairments use the Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit to create their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cartographer on Assignment: Creating a Physical Map of Africa

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Students use geographic information to make an outline map of Africa, then demonstrate their understanding of the physical landscape of Africa by using a variety of materials to create a physical map of Africa
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning About Maps

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students take a "field trip" with the teacher through the school then draw a diagram of what they saw. They bring the maps to the computer lab where they create electronic maps using the software program Neighborhood Map Machine.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Walk Around the School: Mapping Places Near and Far

For Teachers K - 1st
After reading Pat Hutchins’ Rosie’s Walk, have your young cartographers create a map of Rosie’s walk. Then lead them on a walk around the school. When you return class members sequence the walk by making a list of how the class got from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Minnesota-China Connections: Mental Maps

For Teachers K - 6th
Students examine the concept of mental mapping. They draw a map of their school, before and after touring the space they draw. Then they draw mental maps of China and Minnesota, before and after seeing actual maps of the areas.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mental Mapping Hangman

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students participate in mental mapping hangman activity. They choose the name of a country from a hat, draw that country on the board including at least one physical feature produced by nature or humans while not using any speech while...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mental Maps

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students analyze and evaluate how they mentally organize information. They participate in a visualization exercise, create a sketch of a mental map of their neighborhood, state, country, and the world, and complete a Mental Map Checklist.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mental Map Postcard

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Learners visit an outdoor setting and make a mental map of what they observe. They return to the classroom and create a postcard with specified elements such as a description of the land and the ecosystem. Students illustrate the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Local Geography to Make Maps

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research, create, and present a scale representation of the county in which they live.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quick-Sketch Artist Tips on Mind Mapping the Urban Landscape

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students interpret maps. They also create mental maps of regions in which they are studying. Students then explain the historical or cultural significance of map features orally or in written form. Students take a walking field trip...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inspirational Mapping for the Corps of Discovery

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use a computer software entitled, Inspiration, in order to create a map or web of what Lewis and Clark should have packed for their journey west. They are given the expectations of the teacher and a scoring guide is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How To Make an Apple Pie And See the World

For Teachers K - 7th
Learners define and discuss global interdependence. They read How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World and keep a list of the countries visited during the story and identify all of the productive resources and natural resource...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Functional Classroom Design

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners work in groups to design an effective and functional classroom. In this classroom design instructional activity, students discuss community and make a mental map and sketch of their classroom. Learners complete a handout about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Making with Lewis and Clark

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop maps based on a virtual internet expedition of The Louisiana Purchase land area. They create the maps based on an actual outdoor expedition of their communities. Student create two maps, one based on the Louisiana...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design an Island

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students make a map of an imaginary island using the topographic symbols provided from a worksheet. Students place lakes, dwellins, reefs, etc. in areas where they would logically be located from understanding how the topography of an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lets Put Delaware On The Map

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students compare and contrast historical and modern maps of Delaware. Through class discussion and group activities, students analyze maps and make comparisons. Each group participates in a game to aid in discerning the similarities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Map is Worth a Thousand Words

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Learners read the story, "The Most Dangerous Game," by Richard Connell. They discuss specific parts of the story with a group and put their lists on the board. They write a summary of the plot and setting of the story.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design an Island

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore islands. They create a two- or three-dimensional map of an island. They explain how the topography of an area influences the location of water sources, ecosystems, and human settlements. Lesson includes adaptations for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hunters and Gatherers

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders participate in mapping and other activities to understand why ancient civilizations developed as they did. In this ancient civilization instructional activity, 6th graders recognize that there were three important climate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Are The Characteristics of Your Neighborhood?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students make a mental map of their neighborhood. Using a software program, they make an aerial and digital map of their school and locate their school on given maps. In groups, they calculate the distances to various locations and...