S/FCS
Unit Planning Organizer
Subject(s)
Grade/Course
Unit of Study
Unit Title
Pacing
Social Studies
Kindergarten
Geography Unit 3
Maps and Our Surroundings
13-17 days
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Conceptual Lenses
Physical Features
Geographic Locations
Unit Overview
The point of focus for this unit is using geographic representations and terms to describe our
surroundings. Students will develop an understanding of:
 How to use maps and globes to locate places in the classroom, school and home.
 How to use globes and maps to locate land and water features.
 How to identify physical features (mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, roads, etc.).
 How to identify locations in the classroom using positional words (near/far, left/right,
above/beneath, etc.).
Unit Enduring Understanding(s)
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Maps and other geographic tools can be
used to locate specific places in the
classroom, school and home.
Specific features of a map can help us
understand physical space.
Globes and maps can be used to locate
land and water features.
Different landforms can be distinguished
by their physical features.
People can describe their surroundings
using positional words.
Unit Essential Question(s)
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How can maps and other geographic tools
be used to locate specific places in the
classroom, school and home?
What features on a map help us
understand physical space?
How do I locate land and water features on
a map and globe?
How can I identify different landforms by
their physical features using pictures,
photos, etc?
How do I use positional words to describe
my surroundings?
Essential State Standards
Priority Objectives
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Supporting Objectives
K.G.1.1 Use maps to locate places in the
classroom, school, and home.
K.G.1.2 Use globes and maps to locate
land and water features.
K.G.1.3 Identify physical features
(mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, roads,).
K.G.1.4 Identify locations in the classroom
using positional words (near/far, left/right,
above/beneath).
“Unpacked” Concepts
(students need to know)
There are specific features of a
map that help us understand
physical space (e.g., title,
legend, symbols, and compass
rose).
How to use a map (e.g., paper
and digital form).
A map is a representation of a
real life place.
How to properly use
geographic terminology such
as place, map, directions, etc.
Essential Vocabulary
Map
Globe
Place
Directions
Symbols
Land
Water
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K.P.1.1 Compare the relative position fo
various objects observed in the classroom
and outside using position words such as:
in front of, behind, between, on top of,
under, above, below and beside.
“Unpacked” Skills
(students need to be able to do)
 Use maps to locate places in
the classroom, school, and
home.
 Use globes and maps to
locate land and water features.
 Identify physical features such
as mountains, hills, rivers,
lakes and roads.
 Identify locations in the
classroom using positional
words.
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COGNITION
(RBT Level)
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Remember
Apply
Enrichment Vocabulary
Compass rose
Physical features
Positional words
Legend
Standards
K.G.1.1
Use maps to
locate places in
the classroom,
school and
home.
.
Unit “Chunking”
& Enduring
Understandings
Maps and other
geographic tools
can be used to
locate specific
places in the
classroom,
school, and
home.
Suggested Lesson
Essential Questions
I can identify a map.
Possible Factual
Content
Example(s)
from
Unpacked
Standards
Identify and
define map.
A map is a
representation of
a real life place.
I can identify features on
a map that help us
understand physical
space.
Features on a
map help us
understand
physical space
(e.g., title, legend,
symbols, and
compass rose.)
I can identify the four
cardinal directions.
North, South,
East and West
I can use a map to
locate specific places.
Digital and paper
maps.
Properly use
geographic
terminology such
as place, map,
directions, etc.
Apply
knowledge of
maps and
other
geographic
tools to locate
specific
places.
Apply
knowledge of
maps and
other
geographic
tools to locate
specific
places.
Draw a simple
map.
Student
names
particular
features
represented
on a the map,
such as a
teacher’s
desk, reading
corner, etc.
K.G.1.2
Use globes and
maps to locate
land and water
features.
Globes and maps
can be used to
locate land and
water features.
I can identify a globe.
Know the
difference
between globes
and maps both
paper and digital.
I can explain the best
time to use a map and a
globe.
A globe is a 3-D
representation of
the earth.
I can locate land and
water features on a map
and a globe.
K.G.1.3
Identify physical
features
(mountains,
hills, rivers,
lakes, roads,
etc.)
Different
landforms are
distinguished by
their physical
features.
I can identify physical
features.
A map is a picture
representation of
the earth’s
surface.
Definition of land
Apply their
and water
knowledge of
features.
globes and
maps to
demonstrate
locating
specific land
and water
features.
Definition of
Rivers have
physical features. water and
roads have a
hard surface.
I can identify different
landforms.
Definition of land
forms.
I can identify and
describe different
landforms by their
physical features.
Definition of
physical features
and land forms.
Match picture
with landform
name.
Pictures,
photos, etc. of
mountains,
hills, rivers,
lakes, roads,
etc.
K.G.1.4
Identify
locations in the
classroom using
positional words
(near/far,
left/right,
above/beneath,
People can
describe their
surroundings
using positional
words and
phrases.
Pictures may be
used to locate
familiar places.
Nonlinguistic
representations
are used to show
understanding of
geographic terms.
I can identify and use
positional words.
Definition of
positional words.
I can locate familiar
places using positional
words.
Definition of
positional words.
I can use a map and my
knowledge of visual
description and location
to name features and
locations on a map.
Resources
Web Sites/Games/Blogs:
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Google Earth
Fairy Tale Maps
My Father’s Dragon
Maps and Me
Rosie’s Walk
Map of School
Learn NC The Gingerbread Manhunt
Help Arthur Deliver Ice Cream Game
Island Adventure Game
Teacher-directed activity- GIS in Action
Compass Rose Game
Near/far,
left/right,
above/
beneath, etc.
Positional
words are
used to locate
specific
places.
Recognize
How to identify
specific locations left from right,
in the classroom
above from
through the use of beneath etc.
positional words.
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Digital Maps
Carowinds Amusement Park
Dan Nichols Park
The Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem
Videos (Learn360):
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Maps Show Our Earth
Math Monsters Mapping
The Secret Shortcut
Franklin’s Expedition
Map Adventure’s in the Park
Maps and Globes
Books:
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The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Rosie’s Walk by Pat Huchens
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney
How I Became a Pirate by David Shannon
How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague
Where Are You Going by K. Graves and R. Williams
The Best Vacation Ever by Stuart J. Murphy
Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie
As the Crow Flies by Gail Hartman
Mapping Penny’s World by Loreen Leedy
Robin’s Room by M. Wise Brown
North, South, East, West by Allan Fowler
The Little House by Mari C. Schuh
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse by Eric Blair
In My Home by Mari C. Schuh
Beneath the Bridge by Hazel Hutchins and Ruth Ohi
Hello Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan
Uptown by Bryan Collier