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Learning About Maps
First Grade
Reading, Social Studies
by Sabrina LeBlond
September 25, 2015
From the compass rose to the map key, first grade students will learn about three characteristics that make up
a map. Symbols are used on maps too, as students practice what they can do!
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to identify the compass rose, symbols, and the map key as three different characteristics
of maps.
Materials and preparation
Follow That Map! by Scot Ritchie
Map of your choosing
Compass Rose worksheet
Mini Poster handouts
Town Map worksheet
Reading a Map worksheet
Using a Map Key worksheet
Pencils
Sticky notes
Key terms
map
compass rose
symbols
map key
Attachments
Compass Rose (PDF)
Mini Poster (PDF)
Town Map (PDF)
Reading a Map (PDF)
Using a Map Key (PDF)
Build a City (PDF)
Introduction (10 minutes)
Show students a map and ask them to identify what it is and what it is used for. Repeat while holding up
the handouts of the compass rose, mini poster symbols, and map key. Be sure to cover the name of each
with sticky notes to reveal at a later time.
After students share their thoughts, take off the sticky notes to reveal each map tool’s name. Display
each picture for the students to refer to.
Tell students that for today’s lesson they will learn the purpose of all three map tools, and how they are
used on a map.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling (15 minutes)
Read Follow That Map! aloud.
During the read aloud, focus on key terms presented in the introduction. Ask students to point out
examples of each throughout the story.
As students identify key terms, explain that a map is a picture or chart that shows rivers, mountains,
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streets, etc. in a certain area, a compass rose is a circle printed on a chart to show direction (N, S, E,
and W), symbols are pictures used to represent a word or group of words, and a map key is a list that
explains the symbols on a map.
Display each definition under each visual to create instant mini posters for students to view.
Guided Practice (10 minutes)
Pass out to each student the Town Map worksheet.
Inform students that maps usually have titles, as you point to the top of the map. Ask students to say
aloud the title of this map.
Tell students that they will look at the Town Map to gain practice in identifying symbols and reading a
compass rose and map key.
Ask students to point to the compass rose on the worksheet. Once identified, have students label it with
North, South, West, and East using the first letter only. Remind students to use the mini poster for help.
Next, ask students to identify the map key. Ask students to explain the use of the map key and its
symbols.
Model the first two problems for students, and ask them to complete the third problem on their own.
Walk around the class to monitor students as they are working.
When students have finished, ask for a student volunteer to share their answer, while others check their
own work.
Independent working time (15 minutes)
Ask students to complete the Town Map worksheet.
For early finishers, pass out the Reading a Map worksheet.
Monitor students while they are working, and assist students who need extra support.
Differentiation
Enrichment: For students who need an extra challenge, provide the Build a City worksheet. Using this
worksheet, ask students to determine, in writing, the direction of locations relative to another on the grid
map.
Support: For students needing support, complete the Town Map worksheet as a small group. To provide
support in reading symbols, complete the Reading a Map worksheet in a small group.
Assessment (10 minutes)
To check for understanding, monitor the classroom as students are completing their map worksheets.
Check the correctness of student worksheets.
Review and closing (10 minutes)
At the end of the lesson, check and review the class assignment.
Review any missed problems, and show how to solve them for better understanding.
Ask students to share what they have learned in today’s lesson.
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COMPASSROSE
Symbols
Map Key
or
Legend
Hospital
Library
Park
A map is a picture or chart
that shows rivers,
mountains, streets, etc. in
a certain area.
A compass rose is a circle
printed on a chart to show
direction (N, S, E, and W.)
Symbols are pictures used
to represent a word or
group of words.
A map key is a list that
explains the symbols on a
map.
TOWN MAP
Kim’s House
ANDREWS STREET
MAPLE LANE
SUGAR AVE.
Larry’s House
MAPLE
PARK
KEY
Harriet’s House
DEYOUNG STREET
HEMING AVENUE
ORANGE AVENUE
MCBEAN STREET
HOUSE
POLICE STATION
SUPERMARKET
SCHOOL
LABEL the compass rose with N, S, E, W.
Write NORTH, SOUTH, EAST OR WEST to complete each sentence.
1. Harriet heads
to go to school.
2. Larry goes
to go to Harriet’s house.
3. Kim heads
to go to the supermarket.
4. A police officer would go
5. Kids at school head
to the supermarket.
to play at the park.
6. Harriet’s dad is a police officer. He heads
to go
to work.
7. Larry heads
8. Kim heads
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to go to school.
to visit Larry.
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1st
Grade
Math
Geometry
Build a City
Practice
Marking
Location
Help Cindy the city planner do her job by drawing pictures on the map according to
the key below.
B4 =
E3 =
D1 =
Housing
$
Bank
Central park
D2 =
B1 =
E4 =
School
Train station
Pocket Park
5
4
3
2
1
A
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B
C
D
E
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