Title: Interpreting Map Scales
Grade Level(s): Fourth/Fifth
Subject(s): Social Studies/Math/Art
Learner Outcomes:
Students will compare distances
on a distance chart.
Students will locate the
scale on a variety of maps.
Students will measure point-to-point
distances using the scale on
teacher-supplied maps.
Duration of Lesson: two 40-minute sessions
Materials:
Computers
Rulers
Variety of maps
Transparencies
Standard classroom supplies
Classroom social studies
text and supplemental materials
Technology Tools/Courseware:
Internet sites
Overhead projector
Interactive whiteboard/data
projector
Teacher Notes:
Procedures:
Day 1
Step 1: Introduce concept
that map makers can make things on a map
bigger or smaller than they really are (Map scale). Use overhead
projector to demonstrate how to read and use a map scale represented
on transparencies, textbook, and/or worksheets.
Step 2: Give students
a map of an imaginary city and have students answer
various questions about distances using the scale 1 inch=1 mile.
Work with the concept of choosing a scale to match the map
(home, city, state, solar system).
Step 3: Provide time
for all students to use the lab or classroom
computers to ZAP! Around Town. This CD helps students
develop mapping and direction skills. Students will locate places
on the map using letter and number coordinates and the four main
directions. The Make-a-Map 3D CD from lesson 1 is also a student
favorite and reinforces the learner outcomes of this lesson. The
above CDs may be purchased at: www.Sunburst-store.com.
Day 2
Step 1: Practice measuring
distances in text, worksheets and/or Internet
sites on the computer. Use various map sizes (wall versus text, etc.)
Modifications:
- All students
will have equal access time on computers throughout the school
day.
- Modifications may be made based on ability and grade level of students.
Enrichment Activities:
- Students
will develop questions concerning distances from city to city using
text. Students will exchange questions with partners/groups
and answer
each other's questions.
- Students
will draw maps of the school playground and choose a proper
scale. An excellent activity is found in Lesson #:AELP-GGR0049
located at:
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Geography/GGR0049.html
- Using the interactive
whiteboard, explain Internet site (Terra Server) and
demonstrate
to students how to locate their hometown and other points of
interest.
Special attention should be given to the map scales used by
Terra
Server. http://www.terraserver.com
- Read Aloud any of the following books:
Counting
On Frank. Clement, Rod. Gareth Stevens Publishing, 1991.
ISBN 0836803582. This is a fabulous book integrating math (measurement)
and literature. After reading this book my classes have gone "wild"
with
creative ideas for measuring. Some examples of their projects: 1.
How
many rolls of toilet tissue it will take to go around our school one time?
2. How many sheets of paper will it take to reach the ceiling of our
classroom? 3. How many paper clips will it take to go from
one side of the
classroom to the other? Once students get started there's no end to their
creative ideas! We put all the ideas in a basket and each day drew
out one
question for the entire class to answer by the end of the day. The
team
of students who created the question (and correct answer) determine the
winner(s) for that day.
The
Librarian Who Measured the Earth. Lasky, Kathryn. Little,
Brown and
Company. 1944. ISBN 0316515264. This imaginative book
tells the story
of Erathosthenes, the Greek mathematician and librarian, who
accurately measured the circumference of the earth more than two
thousand years ago.
How
Big Is A Foot? Myller, Rolf. Dell. 1991.
ISBN 0833568531 Thrown in
jail because the bed he made for the queen is too small, an apprentice
comes up with a more accurate way of measuring size.
Evaluation/ Assessment:
Students will use a map scale
to adequately measure point-to-point distances
on a variety of teacher
supplied maps. In addition to classroom maps an
excellent source may be
found at: http://www.graphicmaps.com/clipart.htm
State and National Standards:
Math: 4.41, 4.44, 4.49, 5.45, 5.46, 5.55, 5.59
Social Studies: 4.44, 4.45, 4.46, 4.49, 4.51, 4.53, 5.22, 5.32,
Art: 4.5, 4.6, 5.4, 5.5, 5.7
Social Studies--Geography
Understands the characteristics
and uses of maps, globes,
and other geographic
tools and technologies
Knows the location
of places, geographic features, and
patterns of the environment
Understands the characteristics
and uses of spatial
organization of Earth's
surface
Art--Fine Arts
Understands the characteristics
and uses of spatial
organization of Earth's
surface
Understands the visual
arts in relation to history
and cultures
Math
Understands
how scale in maps and drawings shows
relative size
and distance
Knows basic
geometric language for describing and
naming shapes
(e.g., trapezoid, parallelogram, cube, sphere)
Understands
characteristics of lines (e.g., parallel, perpendicular,
intersecting)
and angles (e.g., right, acute)
References:
ZAP! AROUND TOWN CD may be purchased at: www.Sunburst-store.com.
Make-a-Map 3D CD may be purchased at: www.Sunburst-store.com.
http://www.cgrer.uiowa.edu/servers/servers_references.html
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Geography/GGR0049.html
http://www.graphicmaps.com/clipart.htm
Classroom social studies
textbook
Authors:
Carolyn
Shuman
Douglas
Turner
John
Sezawich
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