A World of Maps!
Student Page
A WebQuest for 3rd Grade Social Studies/ Geography
Designed by Jolette Bernhardt
bern4898@pacificu.edu

http://education.ed.pacificu.edu/sweb/jbernhardt

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page


Introduction

Good day cartographers! Cartographer, you say? Why yes, you are all going to be cartographers today! A cartographer is someone who creates maps. It is a very important job. Maps are everywhere! Did you know we use maps everyday? How do you know how to get to your friend’s house? A map! How does a meteorologist predict the weather? A map! How do you plan your summer vacation to another city? A map! How do you know where the bike section is in the toy store? A map! How do you keep from getting lost on a hike? A map! There are so many uses for maps! Today you are going to learn about and see the different types of maps that cartographers have made, and then, you are going to be the cartographer and make an authentic map!

 


The Task

Each student will work with a partner to investigate the different types of maps we use in daily life. Then you and your partner will choose one type of map to investigate further. Together, you will answer the questions: What can this map be used for? What can’t it? What are the characteristics or traits of this map? Finally, you will create your own map that reflects what you have just learned.


The Process

1. First, each student will get with a partner. (Ask your teacher if you will select a partner or if he/she will pair up students.)

2. After you have someone to work with, you and your partner will receive a note sheet. While doing your research take notes on this sheet. Be sure to answer all of the questions.

3. Find a computer and begin your investigation! Be sure and follow the directions below for the links.

Links: Just click on the blue text and the web page will appear. Be sure and check your note sheet to see if you need to answer any questions!

Link 1: Review the various types of maps. http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0920936.html

On your note sheet answer question 1. What are the main types of maps we use?

Next, you and your partner are going to choose one type of map to investigate further. After you have decided visit the links provided to see images of your map!

Climate maps This is a precipitation map of the United States http://www.ocs.orst.edu/pub/prism/us/graphics/ppt/2000-2009/us_ppt_2005.08.png
This is a precipitation map of Oregon
http://www.ocs.orst.edu/pub/maps/Precipitation/Total/States/OR/or.gif
 These are climate maps that show high and low temperatures for Illinois between 1971-2000
http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/atmos/statecli/Mapsv2/tmax08.gif
http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/atmos/statecli/Mapsv2/tmin12.gif
Economic or resource maps: This is a resource map of Oregon. (Be sure and click on the link at the bottom that says “MLRA descriptions” so you know what the numbers mean.)
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/eoarcunion/oregonrangeland/or_mlramap.html

Here is another resource map of Oregon. It shows the forests in Oregon.
http://www.oregonwild.org/graphics/wildmaplarge.jpg
Physical maps This is a physical map of Oregon.
http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/maps1/or.gif
This is a physical map of Canada.
http://www.canadainfolink.ca/relief_595.gif
This is a physical map of the world. (This one is a little hard to see, but really a nice image.)
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/world_maps/world_ref802657_1999.pdf
Here is another physical map of the world.
http://geog.hkbu.edu.hk/geores/maps/World/World_phys.jpg
Political maps This is a political map of the United States.
http://www.worldmapsonline.com/images/political/CRUS600.jpg
This is a physical map of Oregon http://www.atlasescolar.com.ar/paises/oregon.htm (this is also a physical map, do you know why?)
Road maps This is a road map of Portland
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?
This is a map that shows all of the Roads in Oregon. (Do you think this map would be useful to find a specific place?)
http://www.oregonwild.org/graphics/atlas_img/maps/roadslarge.jpg
Topographical maps http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/seg/topo/state2.pl
This is a topographic map of Mission, Viejo, California.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=33.6&lon=-117.6711

4. Next, you and your partner are going to list the characteristics of your maps. (Refer back to the links to review.) Can you think of other characteristics of this type of map that were not shown in the images?

5. Now, create a list of strengths and weaknesses of the map. What does the map show? What doesn’t it show? How could this map be used? Why is it important? Who would use this type of map? Record your answers on your note sheet.

6. Time to be a cartographer! Create your map! With your partner map out what you want your map to look like. (Be sure and ask your teacher if you are supposed to create a map of a non-existing place or a map of a real place such as an area, state, region or country.) Your map should include:
1. A title
2. The main characteristics
3. A compass rose
4. A key
5. Creativity and neatness!
When you are ready to produce your final copy ask your teacher for the materials to create your map.

7. Finally, once all students are done, the pairs will share the maps they have created and their analysis of strengths and weaknesses of their map.


Evaluation

A World of Maps WebQuest

Beginning
1

Developing
2

Accomplished
3

Exemplary
4

 

Overall Task Completion

 
Student does not complete the WebQuest. Work shows little or no effort and there are entire portions of the assignment missing.
Student completes most of the WebQuest, although the work shows developing skills or minimal effort. There may be portions of the assignment missing.
Student completes all portions of the WebQuest. Work shows care and thought.
Student completes all portions of the WebQuest with care. Work shows outstanding effort and student did work beyond the requirements.

 

Completion and Accuracy of Research

 

 Student may or may not research his map. Questions are not answered fully or accurately. Student researches his/her map with minimal effort. He/she may not answer all the questions on the note sheet or may answer questions incompletely.. Student thoroughly researches his/her map. He/she answers all the questions on the note sheet with care. Student thoroughly researches his/her map. He/she answers all the questions on the note sheet in detail and includes extra information.

 

Analysis of map characteristics

 

 Student may or may not analyze their characteristics of their chosen map. Their notes do not reflect the assignment given, show lack of effort or fail to show strengths and weaknesses of their map Student barely completes the assignment. The analysis may be inaccurate or made up. Student analyzes their map. He/she integrates information from his/her research into his/her analysis. Student creates an analysis with exemplary effort. It is obvious thought and care have been included Details are present.

 

Ability to Work With a Partner

 

 Student does not work well with partner. He may or may not try to get involved and refuses to compromise or problem solve when he is involved. Student works with partner, but compromise and decision-making may be difficult. Student may attempt to problem solve unsuccessfully. Student works well with partner. He/she expresses needs and opinions to other members of the group and problem solves when necessary. Student works exceptionally well with partner. He/she respectfully expresses needs and opinions. He/she problem solves with partner.

 

Map Making Effort and Authenticity

 

 Student may or may not create a map. The map does not reflect the assignment given, show lack of effort or fail to show characteristics of the map. Student barely completes the assignment. The characteristics may be inaccurate or made up. Student creates a map. He/she integrates information from his/her research into his/her map. Student creates a map with exemplary effort. He/she uses creativity and care in creating the map. Details are used in the map.


Conclusion

Congratulations cartographers! You did a great job on the project and were great teachers to the rest of the class! Each pair became experts on a specific type of map and was able to share their information and an example of that type of map with the class!

I encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for maps all around you and throughout your community! They are everywhere! Now that you are cartographers you can teach others the importance of maps and what role maps have in our daily lives!

If you would like to see more maps on the web just do a search on www.google.com. (Be sure and click on the “images” tab to find more images of maps!) Also Yahoo! Maps are a
great place to investigate road maps! Happy mapping!


Credits & References

The image of the map is from: http://www.worldpress.org/images/maps/world_600w.jpg

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Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page