Objectives

• Create individual maps featuring scale, legends, symbols, landmarks and directions
• Write narrative directions from school to home

Time Required

Grade Level

Curriculum Fit

• 113.22.b.6.A. Create thematic maps, graphs, charts, models, and databases depicting various aspects of world regions and countries such as population, disease, and economic activities.
• 113.22.b.21.C. Organize and interpret information from outlines, reports, databases, and visuals including graph, charts, timelines, and maps.
• 113.22.b.21.F. Use appropriate mathematical skills to interpret social studies information such as maps and graphs.
• 113.22.b.22.A. Use social studies terminology correctly.

Resources

• Focus on Your Community Resource Page
• Yahoo Street Maps
• Microsoft's Terraserver Website where you can find Aerial Photos of places in the United States, including Houston
• Map of Houston's Metro Service

Materials

• Butcher paper
• Markers
• Rulers

Preparation

• Become familiar with your neighborhood (particularly the area around your school)

Procedure

Step A:

1. Ask students to draw a map from memory, describing the route between your classroom and the gym. Maps should include the following:
   • a legend
   • a compass rose
   • a map scale
   • symbols
   • a landmark at every change of direction (every 2-3 blocks for school-home map in Step B)
2. Next, have the class retrace the steps in their maps on foot, correcting any mistakes
3. Students are now ready to write narrative directions so that someone would be able to find the:
   • gym
   • cafeteria
   • bathrooms
   Their directions should mention landmarks, time, distance and proper sequence.

1. Now ask students to draw a map of the route they take to get home. Again they should include the elements outlined in Step 1.
2. Have the class take their maps home with them and add anything they forgot to the map.
3. In class, ask students to modify and complete their maps
4. Finally, they can write narrative directions from school to home including landmarks, time, distance and proper sequence.

Evaluation

Below is a sample grading rubric for this lesson.

 

Score 4	Score 3	Score 2	Score 1
Consistently includes required map elements	Frequently includes required map elements	Sometimes includes required map elements	Rarely includes required map elements
Highly effective narrative directions	Effective narrative directions	Moderately effective narrative directions	Ineffective narrative directions
Consistently includes required narrative elements	Frequently includes required narrative elements	Sometimes includes required narrative elements	Rarely includes required narrative elements

Conclusion

• What characteristics are important for a good map?
• What were the first things I included in my school map? In my "Route Home" map?
• What types of things did I originally omit from my school map? From my "Route Home" map?

Extension

1. Writing
   • Write a funny story about something that happened during a trip to or from school
   • Write a dialogue between some students on the way to or from school
   • Write a directions poem
2. Art
   • Draw a postcard featuring a landmark seen on the trip between home and school
   • Create cartoon landmark maps incorporating shading and texture. Bind or exhibit the final works.
3. Math
   • Discuss the scale of your school's football field using a variety of distance measurements
   • Estimate the distance between school and home or from a classroom to various spots in your school
4. Science
   • Create topographic maps of the school's property or of the area between home and school
   • Discuss the difference between compass north and magnetic north