Grades K-2 Lesson Plan - Relationships to Others

Map 2 Main Page

Core Map: "A Map Describing the Situation of the Several Nations of Indians between South Carolina and the Mississippi River". In Archer Butler Hulbert, The Crown Collection of Photographs of American Maps (Washington, 1873), series 3, volume 1, plates 7-8. Newberry Library call number: Ayer 136 H91 1914, vol. 1 (Printable PDF version of the Core Map)

Overview
In this lesson students investigate the aspects of a historical map drawn about 1721 by a Native American for presentation to the British governor of South Carolina. The map will be used to model what students will create to show their encounters (relationships).

Objectives
By the end of this lesson students are expected to:

1. understand how relationships are shown on a historic map.
2. represent relationships of their own on a map.

Materials
Computer image or overhead of the core map, copies of core map for students, paper and colored pencils or crayons

Time
One hour

Getting Started

1. Tell students to imagine that a new student will be joining the class and that you want to create a map to help him or her understand the layout of the classroom. Use the overhead or board and, with the students, develop symbols for the teacher's desk, students' desks, and other areas in the classroom.

2. Ask students to think about what areas are connected within the classroom (students move from one area to the other conversations, books that they carry, a cold, etc). Tell them that the map you drew could also show how things move, not just where things are.

3. Ask students how you could show connections between areas using the map you have drawn. Connect the areas on your map of the classroom, using colors to stand for the connections.

1. Present the core map on the computer, in printed form, or on an overhead transparency. If you are not using the core map on the computer, have the contemporary spelling of the names on the maps ready for you to use.

2. Tell them that this is a map that was drawn to show relationships, just like the one of the classroom that you drew. Direct students in a search of the core map for background information that helps them understand what is on the map (names, drawings, title, etc.). Work with them so that they understand what the circles show. Ask them how these circles relate to the classroom map you created earlier. Make note of the different sizes of the circles. If you are viewing the core map directly on the computer, you can click on the map to highlight the contemporary spellings of the Native American tribes. See the curator's notes for specific explanations of the map symbols.

3. Direct the students' attention to the area near Charleston. Ask them what they think the grid pattern shows. Ask them how this compares to the circles.

4. Talk with them about the lines that connect the circles. Compare these lines to the map you created. Ask them what they think these lines might show. Discuss how some circles have many lines from their circle to other circles and others have few. Ask them what this might show. Share with them the intended purposes of the lines.

5. Read to them some of the paragraph on the map that tells its purpose. Tell them that they are going to draw their own map to show relationships.

6. Students are to draw, either on paper or on a computer, a map of the relationships within their life of your school. Each student is to include his or her classroom and five areas within the school other than the classroom. Their maps should also show how each of the places is related to each other. Different colors or types of lines or symbols could show the relationships. Each map should have a title.

7. Have students present their maps to you and explain their maps, telling you about how the lines work to show their relationships.

For 3 points, the student accomplishes 3 of the tasks listed above.

For 2 points, the student accomplishes 2 of the tasks listed above.

For 1 point, the student accomplishes 1 of the tasks listed above.

Extensions

1. Have students create a map of the relationships of their family with their community.
2. Have students create a map of the characters and or places they encounter as they read a book, either as a group or on their own.