Grades K-2 Lesson Plan - North America, Then and Now

Map 14 Main Page

Core Map: Henry Schenck Tanner, "North America." In his New Universal Atlas (Philadelphia: Carey & Hart, 1845). Newberry Library call number: Case os oG1019. T2 1845. (Printable version of the Core Map)

Overview
This lesson introduces basic geographic terms to students using maps of North America from 1845 and the present.

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. identify an ocean, lake, gulf, and continent on maps of North America from 1845 and the present.
2. identify the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico on maps of North America from 1845 and the present.
3. describe how the shape of the U.S. changed from 1845 to the present.

Materials
computer image of overhead of the core map, outline version of the core map, crayons or colored pencils, modern map of North America (see Resources)

Time
Approximately 45 minutes

Getting Started

1. Set up the lesson by introducing the core map. Familiarize the students with the major geographic features shown on the map. Specifically point out landforms and bodies of water (including the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and North America).

2. Explain that this map shows North America as it was in 1845 and that some of the political boundaries have changed. Help them understand these changes by comparing the core map to a colored, modern map of North America, ideally a wall map or an atlas map. Point out the boundaries of the United States in 1845 and in the present day. Ask the students to describe how the shape of the United States (as presented on the two maps) has changed.

3. Ask the students what other countries appear on both maps (non-reading students will need some guidance). Discuss how colors and boundary lines are used on both maps to show the sizes and shapes of countries. Be sure to help the students locate Mexico and Canada (called British Territory on the core map).

4. Help the students to locate their state, and if shown, their hometown on the modern map. Id needed, explain what a state is and its relationship to a nation. Then help them to locate their state and hometown on the core map. Ask them what country they would have lived in if they were living in that state or town in 1845.

Developing the Lesson

1. Provide the students with a black and white, modern outline map of North America (see Resources). Have the students color the following features blue: Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean. If the students can read and write, have them label these features using clear, block letters.

2. Then have the students trace the modern boundaries of the United States, Mexico and Canada. Have the students color each country a different color.

3. Pass out copies of the outline version of the core map. Have the students color the following features blue: Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean.

4. Assist the students in drawing in the 1845 boundaries of the United States, Mexico, and Canada (British Territory). You may need to refer back to the core map to help students recognize these boundaries (especially in the case of present-day Texas and Alaska). Have the students color each country a different color.

Evaluation
Using a 1-4 scale (4=excellent, 3=good, 2= fair, 1=poor) assess student performance as follows:

For 4 points, the student successfully identified and colored 7-8 of the following on the black and white versions on the core map and the modern map: the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

For 3 points, the student successfully identified and colored 5-6 of the following on the black and white versions on the core map and the modern map: the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

For 2 points, the student successfully identified and colored 3-4 of the following on the black and white versions on the core map and the modern map: the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

For 1 point, the student successfully identified and colored 1-2 of the following on the black and white versions on the core map and the modern map: the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Extension
Have students compare two maps of their local community, one from teh past and one from the present, to show how the community boundaries (physical, political, etc.) have changed.