HIT: Map Skills Lessons -Elementary

[SSiemoens <SSiemoens@AOL.COM>]

I recently asked for some interesting map skills lessons to use on the
elementary level. I didn't get too many responses. If anyone out there has
anything more to add, please do so.  These were the responses:

Funny you should ask about map skills. I'm just about to start a unit with
fifth graders in a week.  I will be teaching them through centers.  I have
received donations of maps - both highway maps and tourism maps - through AAA
and other places.  I am using four foam boards which have different centers
(in manila envelopes) on each.  Students, in pairs, must complete one center
from each board, but they may choose to complete any center on the board. The
first two boards focus on basic map reading skills, including using a map key,
reading symbols, telling directions, and locating cities and highways.  The
next board teaches students to use the atlas index, use the coordinates in the
index to find cities, and reviews basic map skills.  The fourth board allows
students to "take a trip" by planning the route they would take to travel from
one location to another location using a basic highway map.  I tried a similar
map unit with students last year, and it was successful.  This year, I am
expanding the unit to include the "take a trip" aspect.  The students enjoy
having the choice of which center they may work on, and no matter which center
they choose, since they choose one from each foam board, they practice the
same map skills as another student, but in a slightly different way.

--------------------------------

I have some map skills lessons links on my geography web pages at
http://members.carol.net/josh/geoindex.html

They are under both "Cartography" and "Lesson Plans"sections.


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I have gotten copies of our state map from the state office that puts out a
tourism book.  I then have created a worksheet which requires students to use
both longitude and latitude and locator number/letter to find specific cities
as well as use the key.  The students seem to love having their hands on a
real map.  It does take a lot of space - I have students work in pairs.

I have also done a similar activity with a copy of the state map on an
overhead transparency, but I like the real map one better for 4th grade and
above.


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World Almanac sells a great video with matching student atlases and
activities.
--------------------------------

Check:
http://www.wcsu.k12.vt.us/~wardsboro/scg.htm#Maps
for some ideas.
--------------------------------
Have you used the Homework Heaven site?  Their address is
http://homeworkheaven.com
Click on the Teachers Only section - History/Social Studies: then click on
SUNY Cortland Memorial Library Teaching Material - Social Studies lesson
plans: then you will find "What Do Maps Show". These lesson plans may or may
not help you.


Thank you to all.     Sally Siemoens, Media Specialist
                             Lanigan Elem School
                             Fulton, New York
                             SSiemoens@aol.com

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