As the Crow Flies: Mapping Louisiana
Grades: K – 2nd
Program Duration: 30 Minutes
Program Type: Lab
Program Description
Students will be introduced to map reading by examining and interacting with a floor sized map “as the crow flies.” In addition,
students will learn to identify the four cardinal points on the compass. The students will also identify the major bodies of water and
distinguish them from land.
Louisiana GLEs and NGSS:
Kindergarten
Science
30. Distinguish between areas of Earth covered by land and water (ESS-E-A2)
Social Studies
1. Identify a map and a globe as a representation of Earth (G-1A-E1)
2. Recognize the shape of Louisiana and the United States on maps and globes (G-1A-E2)
3. Demonstrate an understanding of directionality, position, and size by correctly using and responding to words such as
left, right, first, last, big, little (G-1A-E2)
5. Identify the difference between land and water and locate both on a map or globe (G-1B-E1)
Grade 1
Social Studies
1. Identify and use simple map symbols and key/legend (G-1A-E1)
3. Describe a map as a representation of a place (G-1A-E1)
6. Identify Earth’s various physical features (e.g., oceans, islands, mountains, rivers) (G-1B-E1)
13. Identify by name the town, parish, state, and country in which the student lives (G-1C-E6)
Grade 1
Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles
1-ESS1-1. Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
Grade 2
Science
20. Observe and describe differences in motion between objects (e.g., toward/away, cardinal directions) (PS-E-B3)
Social Studies:
2. Describe basic characteristics of maps and globes (G-1A-E1)
3. Use cardinal directions to locate places on maps and places in the classroom, school, and community (G-1A-E2)
4. Identify geographical features in the local region (G-1A-E2)
Grade 2:
Earth’s Systems: Processes that Shape the Earth
2-ESS2-3. Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid.
Key Terms:
Compass Rose: The circular drawing showing directions on a plan or map
East: A cardinal point of the compass, 90° to the right of north.
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Globe: A planet or other celestial body.
Map: A representation, usually on a flat surface, as of the features of an area of the earth or a portion of the heavens, showing
them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation.
North: A cardinal point of the compass, lying in the plane of the meridian and to the left of a person facing the rising sun.
South: A cardinal point of the compass lying directly opposite north.
West: A cardinal point of the compass, 90° to the left when facing north, corresponding to the point where the sun is seen to set.
Connections to Permanent Exhibits:
The following exhibits can be found in the Red River Gallery, 1st floor
Map of Louisiana: Put the puzzle together. Where do you live? What river is close to you?
A Different View and 3-D Map: Interpret images from above – stereo pictures, satellite images, infrared color-coded, radar
images, or thermal scans.
The following exhibits can be found in the Planet Earth Center, The Space Center, 1st floor
Earth Computer Stations: Click on “Earth’s City Lights” on Visible Earth. What major highways can you see on this map of
the United States?
Filtered Earth…The Electromagnet Spectrum/Radar: What can the refection of radar waves tell us?
Filtered Earth…The Electromagnet Spectrum/Infrared: Where are the warmest areas in the picture on this exhibit?
Filtered Earth…The Electromagnet Spectrum/Visible Light: What cities can you see in this picture?
Digital Earth: Can you find Sci-Port on Google Earth? Can you find your school? Can you find your house?
Earth Mazes (Puzzles): Put each of these puzzles together. Can you identify these pictures?
Web Resources:
National Geographic Xpeditions Atlas
National Geographic Society
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html
Maps made for printing and copying
Mapping History
University of Oregon
http://mappinghistory.uoregon.edu/
The Mapping History Project has been designed to provide interactive and animated representations of fundamental
historical problems and/or illustrations of historical events, developments, and dynamics. The material is copyrighted, but is
open and available to academic users. Inquiries about the re-use of the material in a commercial or academic context should
be sent to the editors.
USGS- Land Remote Sensing Program
U.S. Geological Survey
http://remotesensing.usgs.gov/
The surface of the Earth is changing rapidly, at local, regional, national, even global scales, with significant repercussions for
people, the economy, and the environment. Remote sensing satellites monitor the Earth providing information that is broad,
precise, impartial, and easily available.
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Pre-Visit Activities
On The Way to Grandma’s House
Utah Education Network
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview?LPid=18787
This lesson uses the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale to recreate a map of the path that Little Red Riding Hood takes to
Grandma’s house. The students will be exploring basic map directions and characteristics using directional words such as left,
right, top, and bottom.
Post-Visit Activities
The Jolly Postman
Utah Education Network
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview?LPid=18787
Students will learn more about cardinal directions of North, South, East, and West along with the use of a compass rose on a map.
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