Explore your state with maps
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/03/gk2/exploremaps.html
A lesson plan for grade 2 Social Studies
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In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore their state’s geography using MapMachine, an online map making tool from National Geographic. Skills developed in the activity include coloring, and using technology and globes.
Students will:
- discuss the shape of their state;
- draw and label features on a blank map of their state, using National Geographic’s MapMachine and a print atlas or wall map;
- discuss student observations of their state’s geographic features;
- compare their state’s map projection to its global one;
- make their own state maps from memory; and
- discuss why it’s important to learn and remember basic features of a state’s geography.
Xpeditions provides links to necessary web resources, detailed instructions for completing the lesson, and suggestions for assessment and extension activities.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Social Studies (2003)
Grade 2
- Goal 5: The learner will understand the relationship between people and geography in various communities.
- Objective 5.01: Define geography and use geographic terms to describe landforms, bodies of water, weather, and climate.
- Objective 5.02: Describe the role of a geographer and apply geographic tools, such as maps, globes, compasses and photographs, in the understanding of locations and characteristics of places and regions.
- Objective 5.03: Compare and contrast the physical features of communities and regions.
- Objective 5.05: Interpret maps, charts, and pictures of locations.
