Make state maps with MapMachine
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/03/g35/exploremaps.html
A lesson plan for grade 4 Social Studies
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In this Xpeditions lesson, students compare and contrast their state with another one using observations they make from the interactive online tool, MapMachine. Activities in this lesson engage students in development of map-reading skills.
Students will:
- discuss things they already know about their state;
- view their own state’s maps on MapMachine and take notes on their observations;
- create and examine maps from another state, and take notes on their observations;
- discuss the geographic features of both states; and
- write paragraphs comparing and contrasting the two states based on the observations they’ve made from the maps.
Xpeditions provides detailed instructions for completing the lesson, suggestions for assessment and extension activities, and links to helpful web resources.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Social Studies (2003)
Grade 4
- Goal 1: The learner will apply the five themes of geography to North Carolina and its people.
- Objective 1.01: Locate, in absolute and relative terms, major landforms, bodies of water and natural resources in North Carolina.
- Objective 1.02: Describe and compare physical and cultural characteristics of the regions.
- Objective 1.03: Suggest some influences that location has on life in North Carolina such as major cities, recreation areas, industry, and farms.
- Goal 6: The learner will evaluate how North Carolinians apply basic economic principles within the community, state, and nation.
- Objective 6.03: Categorize the state's resources as natural, human, or capital.
