Moving Beyond the Page / online
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Lesson 2: Maps of All Kinds

Getting Started

A map can be a terrific tool for learning more about the physical environment, but only if it's the right kind of map for your needs. Just as you couldn't effectively use a wrench to try to drive in a nail, you can't use a political map to understand mountain elevations or a contour map to figure out population density. A map is a tool, but, like most tools, each map is designed to meet specific needs.

Materials

  • Geography of the World: The Essential Family Guide to Geography and Culture by Jayne Parsons
  • The Geography Book: Activities for Exploring, Mapping, and Enjoying Your World by Caroline Arnold
  • Camera

Questions to Explore

  • How can the physical environment be represented visually?
  • How might it be useful to have different ways of representing the physical environment?

Facts and Definitions

  • Maps can represent the physical world in a variety of ways.
  • The key or legend of a map explains what the symbols, colors, and patterns on the map represent.
  • Maps contain specific kinds of information; when you need to know a particular kind of information, it is important that you consult the right kind of map!

Reading and Questions

Reading and Questions
Read pages 8-9 in Geography of the World, paying particular attention to the descriptions of the maps on page 9. You'll notice that the large maps for each location will often include both natural features like mountains and rivers and human-created features like national borders and major cities. The smaller locator map provides less detail but shows a particular country or region in the context of the countries surrounding it. Answer the following questions:
  1. Name at least three kinds of information that you can find in the map pages of this book.
  2. When might you want to use the locator map?
  3. Can you think of any kinds of maps that you have used that are not like the maps on page 9? (Hint: You may have used one on a car trip or seen one on the TV news when you're checking the forecast.)
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Copyright ©2010 Epiphany Curriculum, LLC. Do not copy or distribute.
This lesson is provided for evaluation purposes only. All other use is prohibited.
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