Grades K-2 Lesson Plan - If You've Seen One Map, Have You Seen Them All?

Map 15 Main Page

Core Map: "Rand McNally Polar Map of the World," in Rand McNally World Atlas, Premier Edition (Chicago: Rand McNally & Co., 1944). Newberry Library call number: Rand McNally Collection, Atlases, World Atlas Premier Edition, 1944. © 1944 by RMC, R.L.03-S-87. www.randmcnally.com (Printable PDF version of the Core Map)

Overview
In this lesson students will learn why there are many ways to show what Earth looks like on a map.

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

1. explain different views of the world.
2. compare a polar map image with other views of the world

Key Words
perspective

Materials
Computer image or overhead of the core map, World Views handout, classroom world map, classroom chair, globe

Time Two 1/2 hours classes

Getting Started

1. Show students a classroom chair. Ask each student to look at the chair from at least two different angles, preferably with one of them being from above the chair (you could also use a dollhouse).

2. Have the students draw pictures of the chair as it appears from the different angles from which they viewed it. Discuss how the views are different and how the perspective changes how they see the chair.

Developing the Lesson

1. Display a modern world map. Using the map, introduce each continent as you draw geometric shapes around each, except Antarctica (see Extension activity). For example, North America has the shape of a triangle, as do South America and Africa; Australia is circular; and Europe and Asia are rectangular. Ask students to name the different continents as you identify the shapes.

2. Explain to students that we live on Earth, and the world map and teh globe both show representations of our Earth. On a globe, point out the positions of the continents and have students identify the shapes again.

3. Discuss the shape of Australia on the globe. Then point it out on a map. Which show a more correct shape, the globe or the map (the globe does).

4. Distribute the World Views handout and explain that the students will be drawing different views (perspectives) of Earth. Students are to draw the geometric shape for the continents, remembering shape and relative size. Display the world map as a reference.

5. Have all students look at the western hemisphere on a globe. On the World Views handout, have students sketch the land and water areas on the first page (labeled Western Hemisphere). Then, slowly spin the globe in an eastward direction until students see the Eastern Hemisphere. Have the students sketch that view on the second page (labeled Eastern Hemisphere), using predominant geometric shapes. Have the students look at the globe from the perspective of the North Pole and then the South Pole, sketching each perspective on the handout after looking at the globe.

6. On the four drawings they have just completed, have students color land (the continents) green and the water (the oceans) blue.

7. Discuss with students the difference between what they see from the four different perspectives. For example, which oceans or continents can they see clearly from the polar perspective. Which oceans or continents can they see clearly from the other perspectives?

8. Display the core map. Ask the students to compare the core map to their previous views of the globe. What continents and oceans can they identify?

Evaluation
Using a four point scale (4=excellent, 3=very good, 2=good, 1=fair), evaluate the work on the handout.

For 4 points, the student completes all four views on the handout accurately, depicting the continents as geometric shapes, and is able to label or point to and name all seven continents and oceans. The student is also able to identify three continents on the core map by comparing it to the polar view.

For 3 points, the student completes 3-4 views on the handout accurately and is able to label or point to and name several, but not all, of the continents and oceans. The student is also able to identify which view best matches the core map.

For 2 points, the student completes 2 views on the handout accurately.

For 1 point, the student completes 1 view on the handout accurately.

Extensions

1. Read the book My Map Book (see Resources). Have students draw a special map of something in their life, naming the "political" regions.
2. Discuss the shape of Antarctica on the globe. Then point it out on a map. Which shows a more correct shape, the globe or the map (the globe does).