• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Mapping My World

Sissy Bell

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Mapping My World Lesson Plan

Students will learn to read and create simple maps, identify cardinal directions, and recognize basic landforms through hands-on activities to build spatial thinking skills.

Understanding maps and landforms helps students interpret the world around them, enhances critical thinking, and lays the foundation for future geography learning.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive map activities with guided discussion and hands-on practice.

Materials

Blank Map Outlines, Compass Rose Worksheet, Landforms Flashcards, World Map Poster, and Colored Pencils or Markers

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print enough Blank Map Outlines for each student
  • Copy the Compass Rose Worksheet
  • Shuffle and organize the Landforms Flashcards
  • Display the World Map Poster at the front of the classroom
  • Gather colored pencils or markers for each student

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Show the World Map Poster and ask students if they’ve seen maps before
  • Discuss what a map is and why people use them
  • Introduce key terms: map, scale, symbols

Step 2

Map Exploration

10 minutes

  • Distribute Blank Map Outlines
  • Ask students to draw and label three familiar landmarks (e.g., school, home, park)
  • Encourage use of simple symbols and a map key

Step 3

Cardinal Directions Activity

8 minutes

  • Hand out the Compass Rose Worksheet
  • Demonstrate how to draw a compass rose and label North, South, East, and West
  • Have students add a compass rose to their map outlines

Step 4

Landforms Discussion

5 minutes

  • Use the Landforms Flashcards to show examples like mountains, rivers, and deserts
  • Ask volunteers to describe where they might find each landform on their maps
  • Discuss how landforms affect human activities

Step 5

Wrap-Up

2 minutes

  • Review the terms map, cardinal directions, and landforms
  • Invite a few students to share one thing they learned
  • Explain how today’s skills help us understand geography everyday
lenny

Slide Deck

Mapping My World

A 30-minute exploration of maps, cardinal directions, and landforms.

Welcome students and introduce today’s lesson. Explain that we’ll explore how maps help us understand the world around us.

What Is a Map?

  • A map is a drawing of a place or area
  • People use maps to find where to go
  • Key terms: map, scale, symbols

Display the World Map Poster. Ask if anyone has used a map before and what they use maps for. Introduce key vocabulary.

Map Exploration

  • Take a Blank Map Outlines
  • Draw and label three familiar landmarks (e.g., school, home, park)
  • Use simple symbols and create a map key

Distribute the Blank Map Outlines and colored pencils or markers. Encourage students to walk around and see classmates’ ideas.

Cardinal Directions

  • Hand out the Compass Rose Worksheet
  • Draw a compass rose and label N, S, E, W
  • Add your compass rose to your map

Demonstrate drawing a compass rose on the board. Emphasize labeling North, South, East, and West.

Landforms Discussion

  • What is a landform?
  • Examples: mountains, rivers, deserts
  • Use Landforms Flashcards to see each

Show each Landforms Flashcards. Prompt students to describe where each landform might be found and how it affects people.

Wrap-Up

  • Review: map, cardinal directions, landforms
  • Share one new thing you learned
  • Great job exploring geography!

Invite a few students to share one thing they learned. Reinforce how geography skills help us every day.

lenny

Worksheet

Blank Map Outlines Worksheet

Instructions

Use the space below to:

  1. Draw and label three familiar landmarks (e.g., your home, school, and a park).
  2. Create a simple map key with symbols for each landmark.
  3. Add a compass rose showing North, South, East, and West.

(Make sure your map fills the box and labels are clear!)











































lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Compass Rose Worksheet

Instructions

  1. In the circle below, draw a compass rose and label the four cardinal directions: N (North), E (East), S (South), and W (West).











  1. Answer the questions below:

a. What direction is opposite North?




b. If you face East, which direction will be on your left?




c. Which direction lies between North and East?




d. Why is a compass rose helpful when reading a map?





lenny
lenny

Activity

Landforms Flashcards

Use these cards to learn about different landforms. Each card shows the landform name, a simple image placeholder, and a short definition.

Mountain
Image: (Picture of a tall, rocky peak)
Definition: A high, rocky landform that rises steeply above the surrounding land.

River
Image: (Picture of a flowing river)
Definition: A large, flowing body of freshwater that moves across the land into another body of water.

Desert
Image: (Picture of a sandy desert landscape)
Definition: A dry, sandy landform with very little rain and few plants.

Valley
Image: (Picture of a valley between hills)
Definition: A low area between hills or mountains, often with a river or stream running through it.

Plateau
Image: (Picture of a flat-topped highland)
Definition: A flat-topped area of land that is higher than the land around it.

Island
Image: (Picture of a small landmass surrounded by water)
Definition: A piece of land completely surrounded by water.

Plain
Image: (Picture of a vast, flat grassland)
Definition: A large area of flat or gently rolling land with few trees.

lenny
lenny

Warm Up

Map Vocabulary Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes
Purpose: Activate prior knowledge of map terms before today’s lesson.

Part 1: Match the Term to Its Definition

Write the letter of the correct definition on the line next to each term.

  1. Map _____
  2. Scale _____
  3. Symbol _____
  4. Compass Rose _____
  5. Landform _____

Definitions:
A. A drawing of a place that shows where things are.
B. The real distance that one unit on the map represents.
C. A sign or picture that stands for something on a map.
D. A picture that shows directions (N, S, E, W).
E. A natural shape on Earth, like a mountain or valley.





Part 2: Short Answer

Why do mapmakers use symbols instead of writing full words for every feature?




lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Exit Ticket: My Map

Time: 5 minutes
Purpose: Check your understanding of maps, compass roses, and landforms.

1. Draw a mini-map showing two landmarks in your school (for example, your classroom and the playground). Use simple symbols and include a map key.













2. Add a compass rose to your mini-map and label the four cardinal directions: N, S, E, and W.







3. Draw one landform from the Landforms Flashcards on your map and write its name next to it.







4. Short Answer: Why is a compass rose helpful when reading a map?




lenny
lenny