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Grade 6, Social Studies
Std 5.4:  Locating on a map or globe major countries

Lesson Plans:

Latitude, Longitude, and Mapmaking
This lesson requires students to review the concepts of latitude and longitude and to use these concepts to create maps of different countries on the computer. They’ll conclude by discussing the reasons why it’s important to understand latitude and longitude and by creating quizzes in which other students can locate “mystery” places that they map on the computer.


Shake the Planet
This activity requires students to plot the position of several earthquakes on a world map using latitude and longitude coordinates.

Where in the World Would You Like to Live?
This lesson asks students to compare thematic maps of the continents and the world as a whole to determine where they would like to live (besides their own home region). They’ll view several online thematic maps and will conclude by writing paragraphs describing the three places in the world they think they’d most like to live, assuming they’d been asked to move far away from home.

Defining Regions of the United States
This lesson asks students to think about how the regions of the United States are defined and characterized. They’ll map the regions from memory and will compare maps to see that regions are human constructions that do not generally have clearly-defined boundaries. They’ll consider how their own region is defined and will conclude by writing essays explaining how the creation of regions can help us to organize and understand the country's geography and can also contribute to stereotypes.

 
What do People Know about the Arctic and Antarctic?
Students will research the landscapes, climates, and animal life of the polar regions. They’ll then interview people to find out what they think and know about the regions. They’ll conclude by writing paragraphs explaining why it’s important to know about the polar regions and detailing the differences between the two regions.

A World At Peace
This lesson offers a great way to reinforce political map skills.

 

Resources:

Maps - Oddens (Utrecht U.)
This site has more than 1,000 links to electronic map resources and 180 map collections. Perhaps this site is the most extensive grouping of maps on the Web.

Open Directory: Geography
The Open Directory Project on Geography contains 1,059 websites.  Categories include Cartography (89), Dictionaries (4), Education (100), Geographic Information Systems (632), Geomatics (883), Human Geography (63), Navigation (65), Organizations (21), Physical Geography (21), Place Names (56), Publications (13) and Regional Planning (378).

SCORE Map Resources
The Schools of California Online Resources for Educators (SCORE) project is a terrific resource for teachers and students alike (see description under General Resources).

National Geographic: GeoBee Quiz
National Geographic has plenty of interactive quizzes, games, expeditions and tours at their site. Geo Bee challenge provides daily geography-based questions. Map Machine features physical and political characteristics of countries and includes aerial views. Xpedition is a redesigned education site that features a printer-friendly atlas with over 1,600 ways to view the world.

Animated Atlas
Animated Atlas portrays history by animating maps. This site features a ten minute, interactive movie which is a geographic history of the United States, locating major events and the admission of every state. Also sells classroom videos.

Shock-ing Geography
At this site, students can quiz themselves on physical, current political and some historical map information. Instructors can have results of student self-quizzes emailed to them. Requires Shockwave software plug-in (available download free)

OSSHE Historic Atlas Resource Library
Extensive, colorful, and often interactive, the maps in this library cover Europe, Middle East, North Africa and North America.

Map Machine (National Geographic)
This site features physical and political characteristics of countries and includes aerial views. There are profiles, facts, and flags that accompany the maps.

David Rumsey Map Collection
This collection has over 8,800 maps online and focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North and South America maps and other cartographic materials. Historic maps of the World, Europe, Asia and Africa are also represented. Collection categories include antique atlas, globe, school geography, maritime chart, state, county, city, pocket, wall, children's and manuscript maps.

Historical Atlas of the 20th Century
An interesting and informative collection of information on the twentieth century. Atlas topics include: General Trends in Living Conditions, Government, War, and Religion. Maps are often interactive, allowing you to zoom in on details. There are even essays, FAQ's and links.

Quia
This site has assorted links to geography quizzes and games. the site also helps teachers create their own quizzes.

PCL Map Room
A collection of more than 250,000 maps.

"Worldtime"
This site features an interactive world atlas.

Crack the Code
Find out where the thieves are taking the loot using latitude and longitude.

How far is it?
This interactive website calculates distances between cities.

Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey
The federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment.

Test your Geography Knowledge
Select a quiz by clicking on an area of the map.

Blank & Outline Maps
Collections of blank and outline maps to print out for educational or personal use at home or in the classroom.

 

 

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