REPRODUCIBLE 29
SECOND GRADE
BULLETIN FOUR
NEWS
MAP SKILLS
Social Studies
Learning At
Standards of Learning
Home
S TA N DA R D 2 . 5 – 2 . 6
The student will develop map skills by
a) Locating the Equator, the seven continents, and
the five oceans on maps and globes;
b) Locating selected rivers (James River,
Mississippi River, Rio Grande, Huang He, Nile
River), mountain ranges (Appalachian Mountains
and Rocky Mountains), and lakes (Great Lakes) in
the United States and other countries.
The student will demonstrate map skills by
constructing simple maps, using title, map legend,
and compass rose.
Essential Questions
• Where are the seven continents, the five oceans,
and the Equator located on maps and globes?
• Where are these major rivers, lakes, and
mountain ranges located on a map of the United
States and the world?
• What is included when making a map?
Essential Knowledge
TERMS TO KNOW
• Equator: An imaginary line around the middle
of the Earth
• Continent: A large body of land on the Earth
• The seven continents
Locate North America, South America, Europe,
Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica on maps
and globes.
(continued on the reverse side)
©2010, Five Ponds Press. All Rights Reserved
• Help your child understand the differences among the
various continents. As you watch movies and television
shows, point out scenes from other countries. Visit your local
library and borrow books that showcase various countries
and continents. What are some animals that live on each
continent? What famous places are located there? What
languages do the people speak?
• Help your child understand that the sun rises in the east
each morning and sets in the west each evening. Have your
son or daughter use chalk to create a compass rose on the
sidewalk of your home. Point out highway signs that help
people know where to go using the cardinal directions.
Interstate highways often label their exits with north, south,
east, and west.
• Use the cardinal directions as you fix dinner. Allow your
child to help prepare a pizza with cheese in the east,
pepperoni in the south, etc. Use dinner plates and have your
child tell you the location of various foods.
• Blow up a balloon and have your child use a permanent
marker to draw the Equator and the north and south poles.
Try to determine where each continent would be placed.
• Work with your child to draw a map of your home. Label it
with a title and be sure to include a compass rose. Make a
legend for the map to explain the symbols used.
• Attach a map of the world to a wall in your home. As a
family, play “Pin the Tail on the Continent” following the
rules of the classic childhood game. Use “Post It” type notes
instead of pins and have your child name the continent or
ocean that is selected.
REPRODUCIBLE 30
Social Studies
Standards of Learning
S TA N DA R D 2 . 5 – 2 . 6
(continued from the front)
The five oceans
Locate the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the
Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the
Southern Ocean on maps and globes.
Selected rivers, mountain ranges, and lakes in
the United States
Locate the James River, the Mississippi River, the
Rio Grande, the Appalachian Mountains, the
Rocky Mountains, and the general area of the
Great Lakes on a United States map.
Selected world rivers:
Locate the Huang He in China and the Nile
River in Egypt.
Maps include the following:
• Title–The name or kind of map
• Map legend–A list of shapes and symbols used
on a map and an explanation of what each
stands for
• Compass rose–A symbol that shows direction
(north, east, south, and west) on a map
Map skills are an important part of
the Social Studies curriculum. Be on
the lookout for a globe, a world
map, and a map of the United States
for your child to use at home. It will
be helpful for many years to come.
Maps of Virginia are often available
at the Virginia Department of
Transportation at no cost.
More
Learning At
Home
• A game of “Twister” is always fun! If you have a large sturdy
map, place it on the floor and play a game of “Continent
Twister” by having your child place hands and feet on various
oceans and continents.
• Talk about the differences among rivers, lakes, and oceans.
If possible, point out rivers and lakes in your community and
talk about how they are similar and how they are different.
Discuss how each is used in the community. If possible, plan
a trip to the coast to experience the ocean. What types of
animals live there? How is the ocean different from a lake or
river?
• Use refrigerated cookie dough to make a large cookie in the
shape of our country. After baking the cookie, have your child
use blue icing to show the placement of the Great Lakes,
James River, the Mississippi River, and the Rio Grande. Use
Hershey Kisses to show the Rocky Mountains and chocolate
chips to symbolize the Appalachian Mountains. As you eat
the various parts of the cookie, discuss the areas and why they
are important.
• Use a world map to locate the countries of China and
Egypt. Ask your child to determine the continent where each
is located. Look closely at the map. Try to find the Huang He
in China and the Nile River in Egypt. Look for pictures of
each river using an Internet search engine.
• Have crayons and paper available so that your child can
make his or her own copies of maps of the world, our country,
and our state. Allow your child time to explore the map
making process and encourage her or him to locate and label
important points of interest.
• Many shopping malls and stores have maps to help you
locate what you need. Even a day of shopping with your child
can provide an opportunity to reinforce map skills. You might
even find a jigsaw puzzle map of the world or the United
States for your family to enjoy. We use maps in so many
different ways. Have fun exploring the world using maps!
©2010, Five Ponds Press. All Rights Reserved
REVIEW QUESTIONS
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Compass
Rose
Globe
Map
Equator
Map Legend
Use pages 24-25 to answer questions 1-4.
1. What is the Equator?
2. List all five of the world’s oceans.
3. Name the seven continents.
4. Tell what oceans our continent touches.
Use pages 28-29 to answer questions 5-8.
5. The James River is located in which state?
6. Which mountain range is longer: Rocky
Mountains or Appalachian Mountains?
7. How many lakes make up the Great Lakes?
8. What river is marked with an A? The letter B?
A
Ocean
River
• Draw a map of your
bedroom. Be sure you have a
map title, a compass rose,
and a map legend. You
could use squares for chairs,
rectangles for beds, and
triangles for windows in your
map legend.
IMAGINE…
Continents
5 Great Lakes
THINK AND DO
Rocky Mountains
Appalachian
Mountains
B
Use page 31 to answer questions 9-10.
9. Draw a compass rose and label the
directions of north, south, east, and west.
10. What information is given in a map legend?
• You have the chance to
travel through the Rocky
Mountains or down the
Mississippi River. Which
would you pick? List all the
states you will visit on your
trip.
• You live in South America
and have to travel by boat
to Asia. What ocean will you
cross? What continents will
you visit along the way?
KEY WORDS TO KNOW
Equator • continent • map legend • map title • compass rose
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REVIEW QUESTIONS
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Compass
Rose
Globe
Map
Equator
Map Legend
Use pages 24-25 to answer questions 1-4.
1. What is the Equator?
2. List all five of the world’s oceans.
3. Name the seven continents.
4. Tell what oceans our continent touches.
Use pages 28-29 to answer questions 5-8.
5. The James River is located in which state?
6. Which mountain range is longer: Rocky
Mountains or Appalachian Mountains?
7. How many lakes make up the Great Lakes?
8. What river is marked with an A? The letter B?
A
Ocean
River
• Draw a map of your
bedroom. Be sure you have a
map title, a compass rose,
and a map legend. You
could use squares for chairs,
rectangles for beds, and
triangles for windows in your
map legend.
IMAGINE…
Continents
5 Great Lakes
THINK AND DO
Rocky Mountains
Appalachian
Mountains
B
Use page 31 to answer questions 9-10.
9. Draw a compass rose and label the
directions of north, south, east, and west.
10. What information is given in a map legend?
• You have the chance to
travel through the Rocky
Mountains or down the
Mississippi River. Which
would you pick? List all the
states you will visit on your
trip.
• You live in South America
and have to travel by boat
to Asia. What ocean will you
cross? What continents will
you visit along the way?
KEY WORDS TO KNOW
Equator • continent • map legend • map title • compass rose
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