Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compass Rose

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders practice identifying the four cardinal directions. After locating a compass rose on a map, 2nd graders explain each point that corresponds to a direction. Using a toy ship as a manipulative on a map, students observe its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Field Mapping with a Compass and Pace

For Teachers 7th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Cardinal and Ordinal Directions

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use a compass to locate cardinal and ordinal directions. In small groups, they describe and create a journey for their classmates using their compass. Groups create a scale map for their classmates to follow and relate this...
Lesson Plan
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Cave Activity: Mapping Fractures

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars tour a cave and observe fractures in the cave's ceiling. They record characteristics of the fracture. They locate three major passages in the cave and ten major fractures.
Lesson Plan
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Mapping My World

For Teachers 1st
First graders make two maps. In this developing and reading maps lesson, 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 to various...
Lesson Plan
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Where in the World? The Basics of Latitude and Longitude

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students are introduced to the concepts of latitude and longitude. In groups, they identify the Earth's magnetic field and the disadvantages of using compasses for navigation. They identify the major lines of latitude and longitude on a...
Lesson Plan
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Map It!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders demonstrate map making skills by using the computer to create maps of the geographic features, regions, and economy for their state.
Lesson Plan
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As the Kids Come and Go: Mapping a Classroom

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
Map the classroom with your kids to help them understand how maps work and how to read them. The lesson plan starts off with a story about animals living and moving around the globe, and then kids create maps of their classroom to show...
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

Compass Rose Directions

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders use cardinal and intermediate directions to locate places on maps and places in the classroom, school, and community. They draw a setting map of "Little Red Riding Hood." Students give five steps of cardinal or...
Lesson Plan
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Learning to Read a Map

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify the map and globe symbols: Cardinal Directions; Compass Rose; Mountains; Rivers; Lakes; Towns; Roads.
Lesson Plan
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Gingerbread Map

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read the book Gingerbread Baby, identify local features and cardinal directions on a map, and then construct their own map. In this mapping lesson plan, 2nd graders construct their own map in groups based on where the baby...
Lesson Plan
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Compass Crusaders

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students discover how to use a compass and how to use that knowledge in the field while applying orienteering and mathematical skills.
Lesson Plan
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Orienteering: Map Skills

For Teachers K - 4th
Students discover orienteering. In this orienteering lesson, students search for six specific landmarks. Students brainstorm how maps and landmarks are helpful.
Lesson Plan
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Me on the Map: Homes, Neighborhoods, and Communities

For Teachers K - 1st
Students read a book about maps and identify the differences between a picture and a map. In this maps lesson plan, students also label maps of their home, neighborhood, and community.
Lesson Plan
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Lesson Design Archaeology- USGS Maps

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students research USGS maps and identify the major features. In this map skills lesson, students identify low and high elevations on a USGS map and practice finding latitude and longitude.
Lesson Plan
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What Is A Map?

For Teachers K
Students become familiar with a map and what it is used for and become familiar with school and home surroundings. With the familiarity of their surroundings they discover that maps can be created to help them with directions and how to...
Lesson Plan
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Mapping the News

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore cartography.  In this map skills and map making lesson, Students work in groups to create wall size world maps including legends, compass roses, latitude and longitude, and physical features.  Students collect...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ticky Goes to Jr. Map School

For Teachers 1st
First graders sing "We All Live Together," by Greg and Steve. They look at a map and sing the "Soggy Waffle Song" to study about the compass rose. Students write N, E, S, W on the borders of paper that goes under a 100's chart. The...
Lesson Plan
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CLASSROOM MAPS

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students do a blind tour of their school by responding to verbal commands. They look and discuss various maps in the classroom. They locate the direction of the sunrise and discuss the compass directions of North, South, East, and West.
Lesson Plan
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Maps, Charts, and Graphs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define key geographic terms and track a hurricane on a map. They examine various types of maps and find locations on them,including rivers, cities and mountains.
Lesson Plan
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North, South, East, and West

For Teachers 3rd
A basic lesson on the teaching of the cardinal directions awaits your class. They are directed to go to different parts of the playground and where they attempt to describe their location in relation to each other by using the cardinal...
Lesson Plan
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Shadows and Skyscrapers

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explain the relationship between the position of the sun, a city's latitude and shadow length. Ratio's, geometry, and algebra are used to determine the shadow lengths and building heights. A sun angle (altitude) charts to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecology Explorers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create accurate, detailed map showing physical features, plants and trees, and other details of three school sites.