Geography · 3 weeks · Grades 3-7
Map Skills Unit Study
Three weeks to turn a blank map from intimidating into obvious.
A short, printable-heavy unit for younger students: cardinal directions, legends, scale, grids, coordinates, and reading three kinds of maps.
Essential questions
- What does a map leave out, and why?
- How do you measure distance on paper?
- What is a coordinate for?
Lessons
1. Directions and legends
Compass rose, symbols, and what a key tells you.
2. Scale and distance
Measure a route and convert it to real distance.
3. Grids and coordinates
Find any point using latitude and longitude.
Projects
- • Map your neighborhood to scale
- • Create a treasure map with a working legend
- • Find ten cities by coordinates only
Assessment
- • Scale map rubric
- • Coordinate hunt score sheet
Vocabulary
legendscalecompass rosegridcoordinateelevation
Reading list
- • A beginner atlas
- • A picture book about mapmaking