Unit Goals:

• 1) SWBAT become literate in reading maps.• 2) SWBAT create their own maps with a

key, and characteristics from both a physical and political map.

• 3) SWBAT become aware of different geographical land forms throughout the world. 

Essential Questions:• How can we find where we live on a map of

the world or of the United States?• Why is it useful to know how to read a

map?• What challenges do we come across when

making a map?• What is the difference between a political

map and a physical map?• Can we use a map to find where we are?

How?• What are Geographical landforms?

Continent Song

Row, row North America,

South A-mer-i-ca

Australia, Asia, Africa

Europe and Antarctica

Content Learned through Unit

• Map Definition• Map Types• Map Components

What is a map?

A map is a representation, usually on a flat surface, of the features of an area of the earth, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation.

A map maker is called a Cartographer

Physical Maps• Physical maps show

the natural features of the Earth.

• Physical maps do not contain man made features.

• For example, a

physical map would be a map of what you would see if you were looking down on Earth from space.

Political MapsUnlike physical maps, political maps show how humans have impacted the landscape. For example, city names, roads, country borders, etc. are all part of political maps.

Political maps change frequently (physical maps change very, very slowly through geologic processes) and must be redrawn often.

Map ComponentsTitleGrid

CompassKey or Legend

Scale

What are Landforms?

Third GradeScience and Social Studies

http://geography.mrdonn.org/powerpoints/landforms.html

  

What are landforms?• Landforms are the natural shapes or features called landforms.

• There are many different types of landforms found on the earth.

mountainA mountain is a place on Earth’s surface that is much higher than the land around it.

                                    

 

valleyA valley is a lowland area between higher lands such as mountains.

               

                                  

        

canyonA canyon is a deep valley with very steep sides.

                                                        

plainA plain is a flat area on Earth’s surface.

plateauA plateau is a flat area higher than the land around it.

island

An island is land that is completely surrounded by water.

lakeA lake is water that is completely surrounded by land.

oceanOceans are the largest bodies of water on earth.

coastA coast is the area where the ocean touches the land.

desertA desert is a hot dry place with little or no rainfall.

riverA river is a long flowing body of water.

Treasure Article

Hinckley Map Treasure Activity• With your group you will hide “treasure” • We will have two groups go and hide

treasure at a time• It must be in the Hinckley Building, and

you must stay with the teacher.• Make a map of how to find your treasure

that another group can follow• Include map symbols.