Last updated: July 19, 2024
Lesson Plan
Where in the World: Maps
Map of the Birthplace Unit
National Park Service
- Grade Level:
- Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 90 Minutes
- State Standards:
- Kentucky
Science
2.G.GR.1- Examine geographic features of places in North America, using a variety of geographic data, including maps, photos, and other geographic tools. - Thinking Skills:
- Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience.
Essential Question
What features can you observe on a map?
Objective
The objective of this lesson is for students to be able to identify geographic features of Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Park and the importance of the different features by using a map, photos and other tools to locate these places during their visit at the park.
Background
In order to successfully implement this lesson students should be able to read a map and be able to identify key elements on a map, and be able to locate certain places. Examples of ways that you can implement can be using a map of the school to identify important places (classroom, library, office, cafeteria, etc).
Preparation
Prior to the lesson teachers should gather different map materials, and different varieties of maps and demonstrate to students how maps work and how we can use them. Another important feature to mention is how maps are made.
Maps - Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Lesson Hook/Preview
An engaging activity that could be used for this lesson would be to have the students create a map of their home/where they live. They can draw important things such as a swing set, a creek, a pool, anything that they can identify from their home. This will help them understand the concept of a map and how maps work. This will help link the content of the lesson to their personal lives and they can discuss with partners or their tables different identifiable features on their maps.
Procedure
Step one: At the beginning of the lesson the focus is to educate students on what maps are and how they are used. You can use a variety of sources including virtual maps, or tangible materials such as a map of the school or town.
Step two: The second step is to talk about important features of the map including any landmarks, the compass, and the map key and how every map may feature different landmarks and landforms depending on the location.
Step three: As a class, a school map will be pulled up on the board. You can ask students to identify specific places on the map(cafeteria, library, office, gym, etc). You can label these with a shape or color and then create a map key.
Step four: After completing and discussing this activity, students will visit Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Park and will be able to use a map to guide them during their visit. They will be able to identify key features and spots including the Memorial Building, The Sinking Spring, The Boundary Oak, and any other identifiable aspects of the park.
Vocabulary
Map- symbolic representations of a place's features, usually drawn on a flat surface
Map key- a set of instructions that help people understand what the symbols, colors, and lines on a map mean
Related Lessons or Education Materials
Meets Kentucky 2nd grade science standards.
This lesson was created by Kentucky teachers as a part of the History and Science Explore Project.
Contact Information
Email us about this lesson plan
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