Maps Unit
4th Grade Social Studies
Medford School District 549c
Created by: Anna Meunier and Sarah Flora
Maps Unit
4th Grade Social Studies
Medford School District 549c
Table of Contents
Maps Unit Syllabus ............................................................................................. 1
Maps Unit Objectives .......................................................................................... 2
Maps Unit Lesson Plans ...................................................................................... 3
Print Shop Order ................................................................................................. 4
Maps Unit Lessons .............................................................................................. 5
Maps Daily Lessons ........................................................................................... 12
Lesson #1 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #2 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #3 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #4 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #5 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #6 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #7 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #8 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #9 ........................................................................................................................................
Lesson #10 ......................................................................................................................................
Lesson #11 ......................................................................................................................................
Lesson #12 ......................................................................................................................................
Lesson #13 ......................................................................................................................................
Lesson #14 ......................................................................................................................................
Print Shop Black Line Masters ........................................................................... 70
Oregon Content Standards Alignment Template—“Hitting the Mark”
Name:
Sarah Flora, Anna Meunier
Curriculum Alignment Template for
Unit Name:
Social Studies
(subject area)
Maps
Unit Objectives:
Geography: 5. Apply skills, concepts, and technologies (e.g., maps, GIS, Google Earth)
to gather, display, and analyze special information.
Unit Syllabus
Define basic geography vocabulary and
interpret maps:
• Location
• Cardinal directions
• Intermediate directions
• Distance
• Scale
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Key/legend
• Hemispheres
• Continents
• Oceans
• Prime Meridian
• Equator
State Standards Covered
4.8. Use geographical tools (e.g., maps,
GPS, Google Earth) to identify absolute
and relative locations and physical
characteristics of places in Oregon.
Lessons #1-#14
Page 1
Oregon Content Standards Alignment Template- “Course Overview”
Team Members: Sarah Flora, Anna Meunier
Course Title: Maps
Course Objective:
Geography
The learner will:

Identify and use cardinal and intermediate directions on a compass rose.

Locate and label the continents and oceans on a world map.

Locate and label the four hemispheres on a world map.

Locate and label the Prime Meridian and Equator on a world map.

Apply the use of lines of latitude and longitude to determine a location on a
map.

Apply the use of a key/legend on a map.

Apply scale by calculating distance on a map.
Page 2
These lesson plans were written as a guideline to teach map skills. The resource used with this unit is Map
Skills, Teaching a Variety of Map Skills. The lessons in this unit are directly tied to the fourth grade state
standards. The print shop order on the following page is for the worksheets needed to teach this unit as
written.
Each lesson should take from 30-45 minutes.
The rest of the lessons and worksheets are also valuable map skills. You are encouraged to implement the
other lessons and worksheets for homework, sponge activities or for “Weekly Map Skills” lessons. Those
worksheets are not included on the print shop order form.
The section marked “Teaching Tips” of the Lesson Plans was inserted to alert you to potential problems
that could arise in each lesson. These are problems that were encountered while piloting this unit.
These lessons are a work in progress. We would like to add and build upon them from year to year. If you
find a problem with any lesson, have another way to teach it, or would like to provide feedback, please feel free
to contact us: [email protected] or [email protected]
Abbreviations Key
TE
Teachers Edition:
Map Skills, Teaching a Variety of Map Skills
WS
Worksheet
Maps Unit
Page 3
Publication Print Shop Order for worksheets needed to teach map unit.
Number of
copies
needed
Maps Unit
Page #
3, 4 & 5
7
8
9
10
11
21 & 23
25
27
30
33
37
38
49
52
55, 56 & 57
66
62
Chapter Review
Chapter Test
Color/paper
type
Index
Hole punched
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Page 4
Day
Objectives
1
2
Locate and
label the
continents and
oceans on a
world map.
Lesson Plan
Materials:
Map Skills
Reviewing map skills
TE Page #2
Students complete WS 3, 4 & 5
WS 3, 4, 5
TE Page # 6
Students complete blank map on WS 7 using
map on WS 9.
WS 7 & 9
EXTENSION:
WS 8 has added practice if time permits or
use for homework.
Teaching Tip
Use when teaching
classroom
procedures the first
week. IE How to pass
out papers, seat
work, raising hand,
etc.
Colored pencils
Do not copy back to
back. Students need
to look at both WS at
the same time. Also,
make extra copies of
page 7 for students
who finish early for
cutting out & making
a globe.
Copy page 9 on index
paper and have
students keep. They
will need this map to
complete the review
at the end of the unit.
Curriculum
Integration
Explain to students
there are not two Pacific
Oceans as implied on
the worksheet. Cut out
map on WS 7 and form it
into a globe using tape.
Capitalization of
proper nouns
Make oceans &
continents spelling
words.
Be sure to point out that
the numbers on the
continents & oceans
must match the
numbered blanks. (#1
South America)
Answers must be spelled
correctly and capitalized.
Colored pencils
Wall Map
Globe
WS 8 if time
permits or for
homework.
Maps Unit
Page 5
3
Locate and
label the four
hemispheres
on a world
map.
TE Page #6 (“Teaching Suggestions” #5)
Students complete WS 10 & 11
WS 10 & 11 (Do
not copy back to back.
Students need to look
at both WS at the
same time.)
Answers must be spelled
correctly & capitalized.
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
The WS does not take
very long. Show
students how to use a
compass. Find north,
south, east & west in
your classroom. Place
the direction signs in the
proper place.
WS 22 is very difficult
for students. The
wording of the
questions is
awkward. This would
be a good lesson to
reinforce classroom
management
strategies on what to
do when you are
stumped and when
you need to wait for
help.
Globe
4
Identify and
use cardinal
directions.
TE Page #20
Students complete WS 21 and WS 23
EXTENSION:
Use classroom direction signs to play
“4 Corners” in the classroom. One student is
blindfolded, everyone goes to a different
corner (direction), the blindfolded student
must call out the direction and point to it,
and those students sit down. Play until only
one player is left.
“Simon Says” using the directions. For
example, “Simon says point to the north.”
5
Identify and
use
intermediate
directions on a
compass rose.
TE Page #24
Students complete WS 25 & 27
EXTENSION:
See “Additional Activities” #2 on TE Page
#24.
WS 26 is very difficult for students. The
wording of the questions is awkward.
Maps Unit
WS 21 & 23
Direction signs
(North, South,
East & West)
TE #1
Compass
WS 25 & 27
Explain to students that
the top of the paper is
always north and the
bottom is always south.
The wording of the
questions on WS 25 is
difficult for the students.
You may need to do
several of them together
as a class.
Page 6
6
TE Page #28 & #32
Apply the use
of a key/legend Students complete WS 30 & 33
on a map.
EXTENSION:
See “Additional Activities” on TE 28 & 32.
7
Apply scale by
calculating
distance on a
map.
TE Page #36
Students complete WS 37 & 38
EXTENSION:
See “Additional Activities” #1 on TE 24
WS 30 & 33
Explain to students that
when a question asks
about what is north of
the street, it means the
entire street, not just
the section above the
street name.
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
WS 37 & 38
Most rulers do not start
at the edge of the ruler.
Students need to know
to start measuring from
the line, not the end of
the ruler.
How to measure
using a ruler.
Overhead ruler
Ruler for each
student
Distance is not always
exact on copies.
Students need to know
to go to the closest
benchmark when
measuring.
How to measure
fractions of an inch.
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
WS 38 will use a fraction
of an inch when
measuring scale.
Go over question #2
together.
8
Math
Lesson
Maps Unit
WS 43 - 47
These WS reinforce
math concept for
coordinate grids.
Page 7
9
Locate and
label the
equator on a
map.
Apply the use
of lines of
latitude to
determine
location on a
map.
Maps Unit
TE Page #48
Students complete WS 49
WS 49
Colored pencils
Reinforce the unit of
measurement is in
degrees. It is in the
directions at the top of
WS 49, but students
overlook this.
Math: Use a
protractor to show
how the degrees are
measured to create
lines of latitude.
Reinforce that the
numbers are the same,
but it is the north and
south of the equator
that is important.
Page 8
10
Apply the use
of lines of
latitude to
determine
location on a
map.
More practice
Students complete WS 52
WS 52
Reteach that the
boundaries of the states
are the dashed lines. It
may be helpful to
outline those in colored
pencil before beginning.
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
Reinforce that the
straight borders fall on
lines of latitude; while
the crooked borders are
created by rivers or the
Pacific Ocean’s
coastline.
Reteach that the city
names are represented
by dots, and the state
names are in bold.
It is helpful to trace the
lines of latitude with a
highlighter before
beginning.
Discuss where the
unlabeled lines of
latitude would be placed
on the map.
Maps Unit
Page 9
11
Locate and
label the prime
meridian on a
map.
Apply the use
of lines of
longitude to
determine
location on a
map.
12
Apply the use
of lines of
latitude and
longitude to
determine
location on a
map.
TE Page #54
Students complete WS 55 & 57
WS 55 & 57
Be sure the students are
connecting the
meridians of the map at
the bottom of WS 55 at
the two poles. They
want to make them
parallel like the lines of
latitude.
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
WS 66
Point out to students
that not all states show
a city and that the states
are abbreviated.
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
EXTENSION:
WS 56 has added practice, if time permits, or
use for homework.
TE Page #60
Students complete WS 66
EXTENSION:
WS 62 has added practice and is challenging.
Tell students to check off numbers as they
draw the lines on the map so they don’t get
lost while doing the activity. Too difficult to
use for homework.
WS 62 if time
permits.
Remind the students
that the dot represents
the closest city. (See
San Francisco & San
José.)
Teach students how to
estimate unlabeled lines
of longitude and
latitude in between the
labeled lines.
Use colored pencils to
draw in unlabeled lines
of latitude and
longitude.
Maps Unit
Page 10
13
Maps Review
Maps Review
WS 1
(NOT located in
Maps Skills
Workbook.
Included in the
daily lesson
plans.)
World Map on
WS 9
Rulers
Maps Review
Answer Key
TE #2
14
Maps Test
Maps Test
(NOT located in
Maps Skills
Workbook.
Included in the
daily lesson
plans.)
Maps Test
Answer Key
TE #3
Rulers
Maps Unit
Page 11
Day
1
Maps Unit
Objectives
Lesson Plan
Reviewing map skills
TE Page #2
Students complete WS 3, 4 & 5
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 3, 4, 5
Colored pencils
Teaching Tip
Curriculum
Integration
Use when teaching
classroom
procedures the first
week. IE How to pass
out papers, seat
work, raising hand,
etc.
Day
Objectives
Lesson Plan
2
Locate and
label the
continents and
oceans on a
world map.
TE Page # 6
Students complete blank map on WS 7 using
map on WS 9.
EXTENSION:
WS 8 has added practice if time permits or
use for homework.
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 7 & 9
Do not copy back to
back. Students need
to look at both WS at
the same time. Also,
make extra copies of
page 7 for students
who finish early for
cutting out & making
a globe.
Copy page 9 on index
paper and have
students keep. They
will need this map to
complete the review
at the end of the unit.
Colored pencils
Wall Map
Globe
WS 8 if time
permits or for
homework.
Maps Unit
Teaching Tip
Explain to students
there are not two Pacific
Oceans as implied on
the worksheet. Cut out
map on WS 7 and form it
into a globe using tape.
Be sure to point out that
the numbers on the
continents & oceans
must match the
numbered blanks (#1
South America).
Answers must be spelled
correctly and capitalized.
Curriculum
Integration
Capitalization of
proper nouns
Make oceans &
continents spelling
words.
Day
3
Objectives
Locate and
label the four
hemispheres
on a world
map.
Lesson Plan
TE Page #6 (“Teaching Suggestions” #5)
Students complete WS 10 & 11
Materials:
Map Skills
Teaching Tip
WS 10 & 11 (Do
not copy back to back.
Students need to look
at both WS at the
same time.)
Answers must be spelled
correctly & capitalized.
Globe
Maps Unit
Curriculum
Integration
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
Day
4
Objectives
Identify and
use cardinal
directions.
Lesson Plan
TE Page #20
Students complete WS 21 and WS 23
EXTENSION:
Use classroom direction signs to play
“4 Corners” in the classroom. One student is
blindfolded, everyone goes to a different
corner (direction), the blindfolded student
must call out the direction and point to it,
and those students sit down. Play until only
one player is left.
“Simon Says” using the directions. For
example, “Simon says point to the north.”
Maps Unit
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 21 & 23
Direction signs
(North, South,
East & West)
TE #1
Compass
Teaching Tip
Curriculum
Integration
The WS does not take
very long. Show
students how to use a
compass. Find north,
south, east & west in
your classroom. Place
the direction signs in the
proper place.
WS 22 is very difficult
for students. The
wording of the
questions is
awkward. This would
be a good lesson to
reinforce classroom
management
strategies on what to
do when you are
stumped and when
you need to wait for
help.
North
South
East
West
TE #1
Day
Objectives
5
Identify and
use
intermediate
directions on a
compass rose.
Lesson Plan
TE Page #24
Students complete WS 25 & 27
EXTENSION:
See “Additional Activities” #2 on TE Page
#24.
WS 26 is very difficult for students. The
wording of the questions is awkward.
Maps Unit
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 25 & 27
Teaching Tip
Explain to students that
the top of the paper is
always north and the
bottom is always south.
The wording of the
questions on WS 25 is
difficult for the students.
You may need to do
several of them together
as a class.
Curriculum
Integration
Day
6
Objectives
Lesson Plan
Apply the use
TE Page #28 & #32
of a key/legend Students complete WS 30 & 33
on a map.
EXTENSION:
See “Additional Activities” on TE 28 & 32.
Maps Unit
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 30 & 33
Teaching Tip
Explain to students that
when a question asks
about what is north of
the street, it means the
entire street, not just
the section above the
street name.
Curriculum
Integration
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
Day
Objectives
7
Apply scale by
calculating
distance on a
map.
Lesson Plan
TE Page #36
Students complete WS 37 & 38
EXTENSION:
See “Additional Activities” #1 on TE 24
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 37 & 38
Overhead ruler
Ruler for each
student
Teaching Tip
Most rulers do not start
at the edge of the ruler.
Students need to know
to start measuring from
the line, not the end of
the ruler.
Distance is not always
exact on copies.
Students need to know
to go to the closest
benchmark when
measuring.
WS 38 will use a fraction
of an inch when
measuring scale.
Go over question #2
together.
Maps Unit
Curriculum
Integration
How to measure
using a ruler.
How to measure
fractions of an inch.
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
Day
8
Math
Lesson
Maps Unit
Objectives
Lesson Plan
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 43 - 47
Teaching Tip
Curriculum
Integration
These WS reinforce
math concept for
coordinate grids.
Day
9
Objectives
Locate and
label the
equator on a
map.
Apply the use
of lines of
latitude to
determine
location on a
map.
Maps Unit
Lesson Plan
TE Page #48
Students complete WS 49
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 49
Colored pencils
Teaching Tip
Reinforce the unit of
measurement is in
degrees. It is in the
directions at the top of
WS 49, but students
overlook this.
Reinforce that the
numbers are the same,
but it is the north and
south of the equator
that is important.
Curriculum
Integration
Math: Use a
protractor to show
how the degrees are
measured to create
lines of latitude.
Day
Objectives
10
Apply the use
of lines of
latitude to
determine
location on a
map.
Lesson Plan
More practice
Students complete WS 52
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 52
Teaching Tip
Reteach that the
boundaries of the states
are the dashed lines. It
may be helpful to
outline those in colored
pencil before beginning.
Reinforce that the
straight borders fall on
lines of latitude; while
the crooked borders are
created by rivers or the
Pacific Ocean’s
coastline.
Reteach that the city
names are represented
by dots, and the state
names are in bold.
It is helpful to trace the
lines of latitude with a
highlighter before
beginning.
Discuss where the
unlabeled lines of
latitude would be placed
on the map.
Maps Unit
Curriculum
Integration
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
Day
Objectives
11
Locate and
label the prime
meridian on a
map.
Apply the use
of lines of
longitude to
determine
location on a
map.
Maps Unit
Lesson Plan
TE Page #54
Students complete WS 55 & 57
EXTENSION:
WS 56 has added practice, if time permits,
or use for homework.
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 55 & 57
Teaching Tip
Be sure the students are
connecting the
meridians of the map at
the bottom of WS 55 at
the two poles. They
want to make them
parallel like the lines of
latitude.
Curriculum
Integration
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
Day
Objectives
12
Apply the use
of lines of
latitude and
longitude to
determine
location on a
map.
Lesson Plan
TE Page #60
Students complete WS 66
EXTENSION:
WS 62 has added practice and is challenging.
Tell students to check off numbers as they
draw the lines on the map so they don’t get
lost while doing the activity. Too difficult to
use for homework.
Materials:
Map Skills
WS 66
WS 62 if time
permits.
Teaching Tip
Point out to students
that not all states show
a city and that the states
are abbreviated.
Remind the students
that the dot represents
the closest city. (See
San Francisco & San
José.)
Teach students how to
estimate unlabeled lines
of longitude and
latitude in between the
labeled lines.
Use colored pencils to
draw in unlabeled lines
of latitude and
longitude.
Maps Unit
Curriculum
Integration
Capitalization of
proper nouns.
Day
13
Objectives
Lesson Plan
Maps Review
Materials:
Map Skills
Maps Review
WS 1
(NOT located in
Maps Skills
Workbook.
Included in the
daily lesson
plans.)
World Map on
WS 9
Rulers
Maps Review
Answer Key
TE #2
Maps Unit
Teaching Tip
Curriculum
Integration
Maps Review
Name_____________________________
Write the name of each continent in the correct blank. Make sure the number on
the map matches the number on the line. Capitalize and spell each name
correctly.
1.___________________________
5. ___________________________
2. ___________________________ 6. ___________________________
3.____________________________ 7. ___________________________
4. ___________________________
Write the name of each ocean in the correct blank. Make sure the letter on the
map matches the letter on the line. Capitalize and spell each name
correctly.
A.___________________________ C. ___________________________
B. ___________________________ D. ___________________________
1
Label Each Hemisphere with the Correct Name:
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Eastern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
2
Pretend you are an airline pilot for this activity. You will need a ruler to
calculate scale for this activity.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
3
Use the box to create the map using the symbols below:
box.
4
Use the coordinates below to locate each of the cities. Be sure to capitalize and spell
each city correctly.
Latitude
Longitude
City
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
5
Maps Review Key
Name_____________________________
Write the name of each continent in the correct blank. Make sure the number on
the map matches the number on the line. Capitalize and spell each name
correctly.
1._____South America__________
5. _____Antarctica______________
2. _____Africa________________
6. _____Australia_______________
3.______Asia_________________
7. ______Europe_______________
4. _____North America_________
Write the name of each ocean in the correct blank. Make sure the letter on the
map matches the letter on the line. Capitalize and spell each name
correctly.
A. ______Arctic Ocean___________ C. ______Atlantic Ocean_________
B. ______Pacific Ocean__________ D. ______Indian Ocean__________
1
Label Each Hemisphere with the Correct Name:
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Eastern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
Eastern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemishere
2
Pretend you are an airline pilot for this activity. You will need a ruler to
calculate scale for this activity.
1.
Yes
2.
3.
4.
5.
No
Answer: between 800-1,000 miles
West
East
3
Use the box to create the map using the symbols below:
box.
4
Use the coordinates below to locate each of the cities. Be sure to capitalize and spell
each city correctly.
Latitude
Longitude
City
1.
Billings
2.
Milwaukee
3.
Des Moines
4.
Albany
5.
Minneapolis
6.
Dallas
7.
Houston
5
Day
14
Objectives
Lesson Plan
Maps Test
Materials:
Map Skills
Maps Test
WS#2
(NOT located in
Maps Skills
Workbook.
Included in the
daily lesson
plans.)
Maps Test
Answer Key
TE #3
Rulers
Maps Unit
Teaching Tip
Curriculum
Integration
Maps Test
Chapter Test
Name_____________________________
Write the name of each continent in the correct blank. Make sure the number on
the map matches the number on the line.
1.___________________________
5. ___________________________
2. ___________________________ 6. ___________________________
3.____________________________ 7. ___________________________
4. ___________________________
Write the name of each ocean in the correct blank. Make sure the letter on the
map matches the letter on the line.
A.___________________________ C. ___________________________
B. ___________________________ D. ___________________________
1
Label Each Hemisphere with the Correct Name:
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Eastern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
2
Pretend you are an airline pilot for this activity. You will need a ruler to
calculate scale for this activity.
3
Use the box to create the map using the symbols below:
box.
box.
box.
4
Use the coordinates below to locate each of the cities. Be sure to capitalize and spell
each city correctly.
5
Maps Test
Chapter
KeyTest
Name_____________________________
Write the name of each continent in the correct blank. Make sure the number on
the map matches the number on the line.
1._____South America__________
5. _____Antarctica______________
2. _____Africa________________
6. _____Australia_______________
3.______Asia________________
7. ______Europe_______________
4. _____North America_________
Write the name of each ocean in the correct blank. Make sure the letter on the
map matches the letter on the line.
A. ______Arctic Ocean___________ C. ______Atlantic Ocean_________
B. ______Pacific Ocean__________ D. ______Indian Ocean__________
1
Label Each Hemisphere with the Correct Name:
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Eastern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
Eastern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
2
Pretend you are an airline pilot for this activity. You will need a ruler to
calculate scale for this activity.
800 miles
1,000 miles
600 miles
I to M
3
Use the box to create the map using the symbols below:
box.
box.
box.
4
Use the coordinates below to locate each of the cities. Be sure to capitalize and spell
each city correctly.
Atlanta
Miami
Pittsburgh
Tulsa
San Jose or San Francisco
Phoenix
St. Louis
5