Geography 4th/5th: Indicator #1

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Geography: Fourth and Fifth

Students will use geographic concepts and processes to examine the role of culture, technology, and the environment in the location and distribution of human activities and spatial connections throughout time.

Indicator #1
Construct and interpret maps using map elements including a title, cardinal and intermediate directions, compass rose, border, longitude and latitude, legend/key, author, date and scale. 

A good place to start is the National Geographic Expedition Hall.  Read the teacher’s guide to get the full benefits of this online adventure http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/hall/index.html

Then, go to the Activities guide to find a variety of authentic tasks that ask the students to apply their knowledge of geography in novel situations http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/

Map Resources are very plentiful. Many of the sites have different types of maps that you can use online, download or print for use. Make your own maps including driving directions at: http://mapquest.com/ or find directions at: http://www.city.net/
 

Maps of the United States:
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/united_states.html
 

The Altapedia Online:
http://www.atlapedia.com/online/country_index.htm
 

Historical maps to use for geography go to:
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/historical/history_main.html
 

A complete unit that includes interdisciplinary studies and the use of the Encarta Online encyclopedia go to: http://encarta.msn.com/alexandria/templates/lessonFull.asp?page=281&lvstart=K&lvend=12&majorsubject=Social+Studies&minorsubject=Geography&source=%2D99&keyword=&search=1
 

A site that will give you a view of where you live or where your school is from a satellite photo
http://www.terraserver.microsoft.com/
 

As a way to get maps to become part of the social studies curriculum, it is important to use them frequently. To introduce social studies and get the children using maps, go to:
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Geography/GGR0009.html
 

Map Making, go to:
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Geography/GGR0024.html
 

Finding locations on the Map
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Geography/GGR0039.html
 

An interdisciplinary lesson plan that uses maps
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Geography/GGR0039.html
 

A lesson plan that uses the newspaper for geography
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Geography/GGR0036.html
  

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