Lesson Plan
Mystery Map Mania
Students will be able to identify and use map legends and cardinal directions to navigate a simple map.
Understanding how to read maps is a fundamental life skill that helps students interpret information spatially, navigate their surroundings, and comprehend geographical data in various subjects.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, direct instruction, and a hands-on worksheet activity.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Mystery Map Mania Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Map Skills Worksheet for each student.
- Have the Map Skills Answer Key readily available for quick checking.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What are some ways we use maps in our daily lives?" (e.g., finding directions, planning trips, understanding weather).
2. Introduce the concept of maps as tools for understanding the world.
3. Briefly explain that today's lesson will focus on two key map components: legends and cardinal directions.
Step 2
Understanding Map Legends
10 minutes
- Display the 'What is a Map Legend?' slide from the Mystery Map Mania Slide Deck.
2. Explain that a map legend (or key) tells us what the symbols on a map mean.
3. Go through examples of common map symbols and what they represent.
4. Engage students with questions: "Why is a legend important? What would happen if a map didn't have one?"
Step 3
Navigating with Cardinal Directions
10 minutes
- Transition to the 'Cardinal Directions' slide in the Mystery Map Mania Slide Deck.
2. Review the four cardinal directions: North, East, South, West.
3. Demonstrate how to use a compass rose on a map.
4. Practice simple directional questions using an imagined map (e.g., "If the school is north of the park, and the library is east of the school, where is the library in relation to the park?")
Step 4
Map Skills Worksheet Activity
5 minutes
- Distribute the Map Skills Worksheet to each student.
2. Instruct students to complete the worksheet independently, applying what they've learned about legends and cardinal directions.
3. Circulate around the room to provide support and answer questions.
4. If time permits, quickly review answers using the Map Skills Answer Key or have students self-check.
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Slide Deck
Mystery Map Mania!
Discover the Secrets of Maps!
- Have you ever used a map?
- What did you use it for?
Get ready to explore the hidden clues that make maps so useful!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of maps! Ask them about their experiences with maps. Encourage a few students to share how they use maps in real life. This sets the stage and connects to their prior knowledge.
What is a Map Legend?
Your Map's Secret Code!
- A legend (or key) is like a dictionary for your map.
- It tells you what all the different symbols and colors mean.
Can you guess what these symbols might mean?
- 🌳 =
- 🛣️ =
- 🏠 =
- 🌊 =
Explain what a map legend is in simple terms. Emphasize its importance in understanding the map's symbols. Go through each example, asking students what they think each symbol might represent before revealing the answer. This interactive approach keeps them engaged.
Navigating with Cardinal Directions
Which Way Do We Go?
- North (N): Usually at the top of a map.
- East (E): To the right of North.
- South (S): Usually at the bottom of a map.
- West (W): To the left of North.
Think about it!
- If your school is North of the park, and the library is East of the school, where is the library from the park?
Introduce the four cardinal directions using a compass rose. Have students point to where North, East, South, and West would be in the classroom. Give a couple of hypothetical map scenarios and ask students to identify directions. This practical application helps solidify their understanding.
Time for Map Adventures!
Put Your New Skills to the Test!
- You'll get a Map Skills Worksheet.
- Use the legend and cardinal directions to answer the questions.
- Work quietly and show what you know!
Good luck, map explorers!
Explain the worksheet activity. Remind students to use what they've learned about legends and cardinal directions. Circulate to offer help. If time is short, emphasize completing a few questions rather than all. Prepare for quick review using the answer key.
Worksheet
Map Skills Challenge!
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Part 1: Understand the Map Legend
Look at the map symbols below. What do you think each symbol represents? Write your answer next to the symbol.
- 🌳 =
- 🏠 =
- 💧 =
- ⛰️ =
- 🏫 =
Part 2: Cardinal Directions
Imagine you are standing at the SCHOOL (🏫) on a map. Use the compass rose to answer the questions below.
- N
- W + E
- S
- If the PARK (🌳) is directly North of the school, what direction is the school from the park?
- If the LAKE (💧) is to the East of the school, and a HOUSE (🏠) is to the South of the lake, in what direction would you travel from the house to get to the lake?
- You are at a MOUNTAIN (⛰️). To get to the school, you travel West. In what direction is the mountain from the school?
Part 3: Apply Your Skills
Look at this simple map. Use the legend and cardinal directions to answer the questions.
Legend:
-
🏡 = House
-
🌲 = Forest
-
🏥 = Hospital
-
➡️ = Road
-
🏞️ = River
Map Layout:🏡 --- 🌲
| |
🏥 --- 🏞️
- What is North of the Hospital (🏥)?
- What is East of the House (🏡)?
- If you are at the Forest (🌲) and want to go to the River (🏞️), what direction would you travel?
Answer Key
Map Skills Challenge - Answer Key
Part 1: Understand the Map Legend
What do you think each symbol represents?
-
🌳 = Tree / Forest / Park
Thought Process: Trees are commonly used to represent natural areas like forests or parks on maps. -
🏠 = House / Building / Home
Thought Process: This symbol is a common representation for a dwelling or structure. -
💧 = Water / Lake / River
Thought Process: A droplet or wavy line often indicates a body of water. -
⛰️ = Mountain / Hill
Thought Process: A triangular or peaked shape is universally recognized as a mountain or elevated terrain. -
🏫 = School
Thought Process: This symbol with a flag or chimney often represents an educational institution.
Part 2: Cardinal Directions
Imagine you are standing at the SCHOOL (🏫) on a map. Use the compass rose to answer the questions below.
-
If the PARK (🌳) is directly North of the school, what direction is the school from the park?
Answer: South
Thought Process: If the park is North of the school, then looking from the park towards the school, you would be looking South. -
If the LAKE (💧) is to the East of the school, and a HOUSE (🏠) is to the South of the lake, in what direction would you travel from the house to get to the lake?
Answer: North
Thought Process: The house is South of the lake. To get from the house to the lake, you must travel North. -
You are at a MOUNTAIN (⛰️). To get to the school, you travel West. In what direction is the mountain from the school?
Answer: East
Thought Process: If traveling West from the mountain brings you to the school, then the mountain must be located East of the school.
Part 3: Apply Your Skills
Look at this simple map. Use the legend and cardinal directions to answer the questions.
Legend:
-
🏡 = House
-
🌲 = Forest
-
🏥 = Hospital
-
➡️ = Road
-
🏞️ = River
Map Layout:🏡 --- 🌲
| |
🏥 --- 🏞️
-
What is North of the Hospital (🏥)?
Answer: House (🏡)
Thought Process: Looking directly above the Hospital (🏥) on the map, you see the House (🏡). -
What is East of the House (🏡)?
Answer: Forest (🌲)
Thought Process: Looking directly to the right of the House (🏡) on the map, you see the Forest (🌲). -
If you are at the Forest (🌲) and want to go to the River (🏞️), what direction would you travel?
Answer: South
Thought Process: From the Forest (🌲), the River (🏞️) is directly below, which indicates the South direction.