Kindergarten Social Studies Unit Kindergarten Social Studies Unit Maps and GlobesMaps and Globes

By Tabitha Angle and By Tabitha Angle and Celena ChastainCelena Chastain

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

• Rationale• Standards-based Education Unit Planning Template• Standards• Concept Map• Activity One• Activity Two• Activity Three• Activity Four• Conclusion and Outcome• Teacher and Student Materials• Resources

RationaleRationale

The rationale for creating this unit is to provide an opportunity for Kindergarten students to understand that a map is a drawing of a place and a globe is a model of the Earth. The unit will also increase their understanding of features of a map and globe.

Standard-based Education Unit Standard-based Education Unit Planning TemplatePlanning Template

• Standards-based Education Unit Planning Template 

– Grade target: Kindergarten    Subject:  Social Studies      Unit: Maps and Globes

Standard-based Education Unit Standard-based Education Unit Planning Template, Cont.Planning Template, Cont.

• What should students know and be able to do? – They should know about the land and water features on a map and

globe, explain that maps and globes show a view from above, and explain that maps and globes are a model of the Earth in a smaller size.

• Standard/Benchmark – SSKG2 The student will explain that a map is a drawing of a place

and a globe is a model of the Earth. – a. Differentiate land and water features on simple maps and globes. – b. Explain that maps and globes show a view from above. – c. Explain that maps and globes show features in a smaller size.

Standard-based Education Unit Standard-based Education Unit Planning Template, Cont.Planning Template, Cont.

•  What are the essential understandings? – Understand that a map is a drawing of a place and a globe is a

model of the Earth.

• Students will need to know... That a map is a drawing of a place and a globe is a model of the Earth.

• Students will need to be able to do... – Explain that maps is a drawing of a place and a globe

is a model of the Earth.– Know that a symbol represents a real object.– Understand cardinal directions.– Design a simple map

Standard-based Education Unit Standard-based Education Unit Planning Template, Cont.Planning Template, Cont.

• How will I and they know when they are successful? – Through teacher observation and whole

group and hands-on activities students will begin to develop a sense of geographical awareness. Also through one-to-one discussions with the students and class discussions.

Standard-based Education Unit Standard-based Education Unit Planning Template, Cont.Planning Template, Cont.

• What evidence will show that the students understand? (Performance Tasks, Quizzes, Tests, Other Evidence) – What learning experiences will facilitate their success?

On-line video, books, viewing sample maps and a globe, comparison of real objects and their symbols, acting out cardinal directions, and creating their own map.

– What teaching and learning experiences will equip students to demonstrate the targeted understandings? The students will watch a video about maps and globes. Also, we will read a book giving information about maps and globes, view maps in our classroom, draw map symbols and compare the symbols to real-life objects, and writing about what they have learned.

Georgia State Standard/BenchmarkGeorgia State Standard/Benchmark

• This unit covers the following Georgia state Social Studies standards for Kindergarten:

– Standard: • SSKG2 The student will explain that a map is a drawing

of a place and a globe is a model of the Earth.

SEE THE STANDARDS WEBSITE AT:http://www.georgiastandards.org/SearchResults.aspx?viewmode=details&StandardIDSelected=522

Concept WebConcept Web

Click to view the concept map for this unit:

Click here to view the unit outline:

Unit Essential QuestionsUnit Essential Questions

• Why are maps and globes important?

• Why would you use a map?

• When would it be necessary to use symbols?

• How would life be different if we did not have cardinal directions?

Activity One Activity One

Goal: To introduce maps and globes. Learn “what are maps and globes?”

Objectives: • As a class, we will begin to fill out a KWL chart for prior

knowledge.• The students will listen to Maps and Globes by: Jack

Knowlton to learn basic knowledge about the maps and globes.

• The students will watch a video about the features of maps and globes.

Activity One, Cont.Activity One, Cont.Activities:1 Create a KWL chart on the Activboard or whiteboard.

2. Title the first section “What I Know about Maps and Globes”, title the second section “What I Want to Know about Maps and Globes” and title the third section “What I Learned about Maps and Globes”.

3. Complete the first and second section of the KWL chart with the students.

4. Read and discuss the following book with the children: “Maps and Globes by: Jack Knowlton to learn basic knowledge about the maps and globes. Students will participate in an oral discussion of the book. Questions should be asked based on the learners ability level.

Assessment Activity:Watch and discuss with a partner the following United Streaming Maps and Globes video:

Activity TwoActivity Two

Goal: The students will learn about symbols on a map.

Objective:

The students will observe various maps. Students should pay close attention to the symbols (pictures) on the maps.

Activity Two, Cont.Activity Two, Cont.Activities:1. As a whole group, take a close look at several maps—State map,

classroom map, school map, etc.

2. Have the students observe and discuss the pictures (symbols) that are on each map using EdHelper . Click to view:

3. Create a class T chart with one side labeled symbol and the other side labeled real objects.

Assessment Activity:Finally, students will draw a picture to represent the objects they see in

the classroom and use the term “symbols”. Higher-level learners should be expected to label their symbols. Lower-level learners may only draw a few symbol pictures.

Activity ThreeActivity ThreeGoal: To provide the students with knowledge of

cardinal directions.

Objectives:• Look at a map and globe to view a compass rose.• Sing a song to learn about directions.• Students act out cardinal directions: North, South,

East, West.•

Activity Three, Cont.Activity Three, Cont.Activities:1. Look at a map and globe to view a compass rose using

EdHelper . Click to view:

2. Sing Dr. Jean’s “Directions” song to learn about directions.

Assessment Activity:• Students act out cardinal directions: North, South, East,

West. Higher-level learners should verbally tell their current cardinal direction as they are turning in the classroom.

Activity FourActivity FourGoal: To find out what the children have

learned about maps and globes.

Objectives:• The students will complete the final part of the

KWL chart.• The students will write about and discuss the

essential question “Why are maps and globes important?”.

• Create a map with symbols and a compass rose.

Activity Four, Cont.Activity Four, Cont.Activities:

1.As a class, complete the last section of the KWL chart.

2.Have the children answer the following essential question in their journal. Why are maps and globes important?

Assessment Activities:1. Discuss the children’s writing. Learners will be at different levels. Some

students will just draw a picture and verbally tell. Others may be writing as many as three sentences on the topic.

2. Children create their own map of their bedroom or another special place. Map creator online can be used for high-achieving or gifted students.

Conclusion and OutcomeConclusion and Outcome

• This unit is designed to help Kindergarten students understand why we use maps and globes.

• The students will understand maps and globes through the various activities in this unit, through observation, and discussions.

Teacher and Student MaterialsTeacher and Student Materials

• Maps and Globes by Jack Knowlton• “Directions” by Dr. Jean Feldman (CD “Sing to

Learn”)• Activboard for T-Chart and KWL chart• Computers with Internet connections• Real life objects for creating symbols.• Paper and crayons for creating a map• Journals• Primary resources• Other resources

ResourcesResources

• http://www.georgiastandards.org/SearchResults.aspx?viewmode=details&StandardIDSelected=522: Georgia State Standards website

• http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=D90F4C51-5E6 :Unitedsteaming video clip on maps and globes

• 48C6-9D4F-53139D745455UnitedStreaming : maps and a globes video

• http://www.edhelper.com/community13_0_0.htm : Map symbols resource

• http://www.edhelper.com/community4_1_1.htm : Cardinal directions

• http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/house/kids/elemen/elemindex.htm : Georgia geographical information (PRIMARY RESOURCE)

• http://www.atlapedia.com/index.html : viewing maps (PRIMARY RESOURCE)

Resources, Cont.Resources, Cont.

• http://www.csun.edu/~hcedu013/plans.html : (PRIMARY RESOURCE)

• http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sst/sst115.txt: Map skills

• http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/TLRESOURCES/units/byrnesF2000/wenhal/hales.html : Concept web

• http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/TLRESOURCES/units/byrnesF2000/wenhal/hales.html#anchor718466 : Map activities ideas

• http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/resrcs/lessons/K99Maps&Globes.pdf : lesson activity ideas for teaching mapping skills to Kindergarten students

• http://www.gisnet.com/notebook/comprose.php :Origin of compass rose