2.6 OVERVIEW

The student will demonstrate map skills by constructing simple maps, using title, map legend, and compass rose.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

• Use approximately 10 inches of string to tie the center of a bar magnet to the end of a yardstick. The bar magnet should hang freely (place yardstick on a table or shelf and weight it down with books). Once the bar magnet stops moving, the north end of the magnet will point north. Use the signs you have made to label your classroom to show where north is located.
• Use a real compass and have students study the other labels on the compass. Have them predict where south, east and west are located in the classroom and label those directions with the signs.
• Have each child make a compass rose on paper or on a small paper plate. Label each direction. Suggest an acronym for remembering the directions (Never Eat Shredded Wheat) and have students create their own acronyms.
• Use maps you have in your classroom and have students find the compass rose on the maps. Discuss where north is usually located.
• Have students go on a treasure hunt through the maps and globes. Use a variety of maps to demonstrate where to find the title, compass rose, and map legend.
• Have the class work together with you to investigate one map and its legend. Ask questions about the map that requires students to use the legend to find the answers. Visit the websites above for excellent examples.
• Demonstrate how to make a map using the overhead, chalkboard, or a computer drawing program. Have the class choose what map you will make with them (a map of the classroom, school, neighborhood, etc). Have them choose a title for the map. Then draw a compass rose. Draw a quick sketch of the map. Add a map legend by taking suggestions from the class about what details should be added to the map. Discuss that a map legend is a list of symbols that represent parts of the map.
• Once you feel that the children understand, give them paper and have them begin with a map title, encouraging a variety of maps (even treasure maps work well). Remind them to include the compass rose and a map legend. Encourage them to be creative with their map legend, using shapes, colors, stickers, glue, and little objects to glue to the legend.
• Have the students make a map of their bedroom for a homework assignment.

WEB SITES

http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/usa/label/whereilive/
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/Dictionary.html
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/usa/states/dc/
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/usa/states/virginia/
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/geography/
printouts/compassrose.shtml
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/geography/continents/
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/subjects/ocean/
Enchanted Learning provides a number of lessons about map skills.

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=329
This Web site provides lessons for map making.

http://www.factmonster.com/atlas/index.html
http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/pdf/n_america.pdf
All of these Web sites provide maps for viewing.

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/road_maps/
Here is a lesson about reading a road map.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geospy
National Geography provides interactive maps.

http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/geography/
printouts/compassrose.shtml
These Web sites provide printouts of a compass rose.

http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/posterset.html
Here are some resource posters for the Social Studies curriculum.

LITERATURE LINKS

Construct simple maps, using title, map legend, and compass rose

National Geographic Society.
National Geographic Beginner’s World Atlas. Washington D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1999.
This atlas starts by looking at a house, its street, and the surrounding neighborhood, then advancing to more advanced map skills.