Uplift Education: Mighty

2014-2015
Craig: 7th Grade
Individuals and Society
UNIT #1: Native Texas
Lesson #1: Reading and Understanding Maps
Duration: 90 minutes
IB Framework
Statement of Inquiry and Lesson Connection: Connection to Learner Profile Attribute(s):

Statement of inquiry: Cultures are influenced by location, time, Learner Profile Attribute: Knowledgeable
and perspective. How it connects to the lesson: Scholars will review and
How it connects to the lesson: Our location can be determined practice knowledge they ideally already know about maps, so
by looking at maps. If we understand our location, we can see they are making connections between prior knowledge and
how we are influenced by geographic features around us. what we will be studying for the remainder of the year.
Lesson Vision
Objective(s): Key Points:
 SWBAT identify and apply the key components of a 1. The key components of a map include title, compass rose,
map. legend/key, and scale.
 SWBAT identify the different types of maps (political, 2. Knowing and understanding the parts of a map help us to
physical, thematic). analyze and make predictions.
3. If we didn’t understand how to read maps, it would make
traveling really difficult and we couldn’t understand the
physical relationship between where we are to where
others are.
4. Different types of maps answer different questions. Some
provide general information, while others show more
specific data.
Vocabulary:
Content vocabulary:
- Key/Legend: an explanation of a map’s symbols.
- Scale: the relationship between a distance on a map
and the actual distance it represents.
- Compass Rose: shows where the cardinal directions—
north, south, east, and west—are positioned.
- Globe: sphere with a map of the Earth printed on it.
Globes show the shapes of places and their
relationship to each other.
- Political Map: maps that show boundaries (ex. Cities,
states, countries, continents).
- Physical Map: maps that show landforms or
geographic features of the Earth.
- Thematic Map: maps that have a theme (ex.
economic, languages spoken in the world).
Skills vocabulary:
- Identify
- Locate
TEKS:
 7.8(A) create and interpret thematic maps, graphs, charts, models, and databases representing various aspects of Texas
during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
 7.21(C) organize and interpret information from outlines, reports, databases, and visuals, including graphs, charts,
timelines, and map.
 7.21 (H) use appropriate mathematical skills to interpret social studies information such as maps and graphs.
ELPS: c1A: Use prior knowledge to learn new language
Skills (refer to vertical alignment doc and CRS):
Listening/Speaking Skills:
 Gathering information from presentations:
 Using a teacher made graphic organizer, take notes on specific items as directed by teacher while the presenters
pauses.
Assessment (ET):
Use the map and compass below to answer questions 1-3.

1. Start in Amarillo. Go south. What city are you in?

Lubbock, Texas
2. From the last city, go south again. Where are you?
Midland, Texas
3. Go as far west as you can in Texas. What city are you in?
El Paso, Texas
4. The following map is what type of map?
a. Political Map
b. Thematic Map
c. Physical Map
d. Texas Map

5. Which of the following is the main purpose of a political map?

a. Show boundaries of cities, counties, states, countries or continents
b. Show natural features and elevation
c. Show population of a state
d. Show political party affiliation
Accommodations/Modifications for Special Populations:
- Parking lot will address questions individually
- Tutoring: based on in-class performance
- Strategic seating arrangements
- Scaffolded CFUs targeted at different levels of scholars (higher rigor questions for advanced scholars, etc.)
Materials Needed:
PPT, printed handouts, popsicle sticks, textbooks, map colors/crayons, highlighters/markers, butcher paper or chart paper,
printed ETs.
Scholars should also have pens/pencils.

Teaching Plan
Do Now 1. Read the scenario below.
Time: 5 min. 2. Answer both questions in complete sentences in your humanities journal.

Imagine that you just started working for a company that makes maps. On your first day on
 the job, the boss leaves a note on your desk that says a client is coming into town and will
need a map to get around. What types of questions will you ask to better determine which
type of map to create? And once you learn which type of map to create, what information will
you need to include to make it useful for the client?
Hook Show objectives and have scholars read them. (PPT slide 3)
Time: 3 min.
Have a scholar read the questions (PPT slide 4) aloud to the class. Have scholars discuss question in
groups (1 min.) and then have each group share their findings with the class.

Connect findings to objective by asking: Can someone re-read our objectives for today? Can
someone please make an educated guess as to how this hook relates to our objective?
Intro to New Material #1 (I Instruct class that they will complete a “chalk talk” – which means they will communicate with
Do) each other only in writing. Around the room, there are several posters on the walls, each labeled
Time: 15 min. with a vocabulary term.

For the first 5 minutes, you will leave your notes at your desk. Take only your pen/pencil and
wander around the room IN SILENCE. You absolutely CANNOT talk to one another. At each poster,
write down whatever definition you think fits that word best. You may also write related words
and examples of the word. For instance, if the word was “cat,” I could write things like “four-
legged furry animal” or “house pet”. If you have a question about something someone else, write
your question next to or underneath their comment. If you see that someone has written a
question underneath something YOU wrote, you may answer that question IN WRITING ONLY, NO
TALKING.

We are trying to define each of these vocabulary words as a class so we can all be on the same
page for the rest of the year.

After 5 minutes, instruct scholars to return to their desks to pick up their notes page. For the
remaining 5 minutes, you will visit each poster and summarize on your notes what the definition of
that word is based on what your classmates have helped you figure out.

After scholars have returned to their seats, review the actual definitions of each vocabulary word.
Ask scholars to help you come up with examples of each term:
 Lines: indicate political boundaries, roads and highways, human movement, and rivers
and other waterways.
 Symbols: represent such items as capital cities, battle sites, or economic activities.
 Labels: words or phrases that explain various items or activities on a map.
 Compass Rose: shows which way the directions N, S, E, and W point on the map.
 Scale: shows the ratio between a unit of length on the map and a unit of distance on the
earth. Usually 1 inch.
 Colors: show variety of information, such as population density or the physical growth of a
country.
 Legend or Key: lists and explains the symbols, lines, and colors on a map.
 Title: tells the “big idea” and time period represented on the map
Checks for Understanding and Exemplar Student Responses
1. Where on a map can you find information that will help you figure out what the symbols and
colors on a map mean? You can find information about symbols and colors and what they
represent in the map’s legend or key.
2. What kind of information can you determine from the title of a map? From the title of a map,
you can determine what the big idea of the map is – what is about? – and what time period
the map covers. Knowing the time period and big idea helps us apply what we already know
about the topic and time period to our understanding of the map.
3. Why is the scale an important part of the map? The scale is important because it helps us
understand the distance between places.
Potential Misconceptions:
“Why can scales represent different units of distance? Shouldn’t all scales be the same?” Correct
this by explain that scales change depending on the map. For example, if you are drawing a map of
a city 1 cm=1 mile. But if you are drawing a map of the world, it might be 1cm = 1,000 miles.
Guided Practice #1(We Do) Instruct scholars to use the map of Texas on their handout for GP. Scholars will follow the steps
Time: 15 min. described to identify all 8 map vocabulary terms on the map of Texas.

Teacher will use whiteboard or smartboard to complete step 1 with scholars. Use popsicle sticks
for a scholar to complete step 2 on board. Ask CFU#1 below. Use popsicle sticks for 3 scholars for
step 3 on board.

Instruct scholars to complete steps 4-8. Teacher will circulate the room asking individual CFUs and
correcting any misconceptions.

1. Lines: highlight and label all on map

2. Symbols: draw a star by Austin to represent the capital
3. Labels: Identify and write 3 cities in Texas
4. Compass Rose: draw and label on bottom left corner of map
5. Scale: Draw 1 inch=100 miles underneath compass rose
6. Colors: shade in the 4 geographic regions of Texas using 4 different colors
7. Legend/Key: Create a box in the bottom right corner of map for the symbols and colors of
map
8. Title: Create and label on top of map
Checks for Understanding and Exemplar Student Responses:
1. If we are drawing a symbol on Austin, TX, where do we need to explain what the symbol
means? The symbol needs to be explained in the map key.
2. If our scale needs to represent 1 inch=100 miles, how many inches would it need to be for
250 miles? To represent 250 miles, the scale would have to be 2.5 inches long.
Potential Misconceptions
“Titles always have to have a time period included.” Correct this by explaining that time periods
enhance a title, but may not always be included due to several reasons including uncertainty,
relativity, etc.
Independent Practice #1 (You Instruct scholars to work in groups (determined by teacher) to create a map of the school on chart
Do) paper. The map must include lines, symbols, labels, a compass rose, scale, colors, a legend/key,
Time: 15 min. and a title.

During group work, teacher will circulate classroom asking groups CFUs and correcting
misconceptions.
Checks for Understanding and Exemplar Student Responses:
1. What kind of symbols would be used on this map? Symbols could include restrooms,
director and dean’s offices, lockers, etc.
2. Which way is north on your map? How do you know? North is towards the opposite side
of the building because that faces North towards Oklahoma.
Potential Misconceptions
“North is up on the compass rose.” Explain that north is not always facing up on your page, the
cardinal directions can be determined by a compass or looking at a larger map.
“Scale is only inches to miles, but the school isn’t a mile long.” Scale can represent many different
types of measurement. If the school isn’t a mile long, what can we measure it in? Lead scholar to
answer of “feet.” So our scale can represent 1 inch=100 feet.
Intro to New Material #2 (I Using PPT, instruct scholars to label the type of map and the definition of the map next to the
Do) correct picture on their handout.
Time: 5 min.
Completed chart should look as follows:
Type of Map: Definition: Example: Use:
Political maps that show Answers will vary.
boundaries (ex. Cities,
states, countries, Example: show
continents) cities, counties,
bordering states,
etc.)
 Physical maps that show Answers will vary.
landforms or
geographic features of Example: to show
the Earth land elevation.

Thematic maps that have a Answers will vary.

theme (ex. economic,
languages spoken in Example: to show
the world) precipitation,
population, etc.

As a class, discuss an example of when each map would be used. Have scholars write down the
class answer in the column of “use” by each type of map.
Checks for Understanding and Exemplar Student Responses
1. What is a political map? A political map is a map that shows boundaries.
2. Why are political maps important? Political maps are important because they show where
different areas are located on the land.
3. What is a physical map? A physical map is a type of map that shows the land and landforms of
a certain area.
4. What is the difference between a physical map and a political map? The difference between a
political map and a physical map is that political maps show boundaries and physical maps
show the land.
Potential Misconceptions:
“Maps can only be 1 of these types, not a combination.” Show a picture or have a scholar research
a physical-political map. Examine it and point out that it shows boundaries and features of the
land. This would make it a combination of two types of maps.
Guided Practice #2 (We Do) Ask scholars to find the 3-circle Venn Diagram on their handout. Ask them to label each circle as
Time: 10 min. physical, political and thematic. Then ask the scholars to write 1 fact in each circle including the
“alike” circle. Scholars may work in groups for 7 minutes to complete Venn Diagram.

Physical

Political Thematic

For the next 3 minutes, teacher will draw Venn Diagram on the whiteboard or smartboard and
have groups share their answers. Use popsicle sticks for other scholars to defend answers, correct,
or add on.
Checks for Understanding and Exemplar Student Responses:
1. How can physical, political, and thematic maps all be alike? These maps are alike because they
can show the same area of land.
2. How are physical and political maps similar? They are similar because they have the parts of a
map: title, key, and scale.
3. How are thematic and political maps different? These maps are different because thematic
maps can represent a variety of themes, political maps always represent boundaries.
Potential Misconceptions
“The maps don’t have any similarities.” Ask guiding questions to lead scholars to answer. For
 example: what else must be on a map regardless of the type? What did we discuss earlier today
that is also found on all 3 of these maps?
Independent Practice #2 (You Instruct all scholars to get a textbook a return to their seats. Say next, you will be completing a
Do) scavenger hunt. In your textbooks, there are tons of maps. I need each of you to find a political,
Time: 15 min. thematic, and physical map of Texas from your books. Once you find it, you will write in your notes
the page number and 2 reasons (in complete sentences) you know it is that type of map.

For example, if I’m looking for a political map of Texas, I would write down:
- Page 20 in Texas and Texans textbook
- Reason #1: The title says Texas Political Map.
- Reason #2: It shows the boundaries of Texas, including bordering states and countries.
Checks for Understanding and Exemplar Student Responses:
1. If you’re looking for a physical map, what characteristics would that include? A map that
shows geographic features.
2. How would a thematic map look different physical and political maps? The title, symbols, and
keys would look different as this represents different characteristics.
Potential Misconceptions
“Physical and political maps look the same.” Ask scholars to look at the pictures on their notes.
What’s different in the coloring of these maps? Political is a flat color, physical uses different
colors.
Closure and Exit Ticket Closure:
Time: 5 min. STOP: Ask four scholars to complete the STOP closure.
S = summarize the day’s KPs
T = connect to learner profile trait
O = did we meet the objective for the day?
P = make a personal connection to the lesson

Exit Ticket:
Use the assessment above.
Homework/Extension Due to differing homework policies, homework was not created for this lesson. If you wish to have
homework, ideas include doing an extension for map practice or a preview reading of the 5 themes
of geography.