Lessons for the Interactive Social Studies Classroom
Mapping Lab
Lesson Guide
Student: ________________________________________
Teacher: ____________________________ Room: ___________
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Preview
Making a Mental Map of Ohio
Look at the unfinished outline map of Ohio carefully. Complete the map by following the directions below. Put a
check mark to the left of each task as you complete them.
______ Draw a compass rose on the bottom of the map.
______ On the compass rose, label the cardinal (north, south, east and west) and intermediate directions
(NW, NE, SW, SE) on the compass.
______ Use a blue colored pencil or crayon to trace where you think the Ohio River is located.
______ Use a blue colored pencil or crayon to shade in where you think Lake Erie is located.
______ Draw a star to show where you think the capital city of Ohio can be found and label it
(if you know it’s name).
______ Use an orange colored pencil or crayon to lightly shade areas that you think have a high
population.
______ Label at least 2 of Ohio’s major cities (label more if you know them).
______ Label at least 2 states that border (touch) Ohio (label all 5 if you know them).
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Preview
Add details to the outline map based on your mental map of Ohio and the region.
Ohio
Challenge 1
Learning About the Physical Geography of Ohio
Physical Features of Ohio
Physical features are natural geographic features, like
mountains, plains, bays, lakes, and rivers. During this
challenge you will be locating major physical features
in the state of Ohio using a coordinates and a map grid
(similar to the game of Battleship. Much of Ohio’s
lands were carved out by glaciers during the last Ice
Age, but the southeastern part of the state was not
(refer the map to the left). At the end of the lesson,
your teacher may use Google Earth or similar program
to help students more precisely locate the physical
features with coordinates called lines of latitude and
longitude and view them from an aerial and/or bird’s
eye view.
Major Ohio Land Regions
Directions
1. Get your copy of the Physical Features Map of
Ohio and Description Chart for the Ohio Mapping
Lab, Challenge 1.
2. Select one of the physical features listed below. Find it on a physical map of Ohio using the coordinates provided (such as A1). Using Coordinates is a way to find feature’s absolute location.
3. Describe the relative location of each physical feature in the space provide below on the Description
Chart for Challenge 1 by using cardinal directions and by referencing landmarks. Be sure to write in
complete sentences.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until you have found and described all physical features.
Example
Physical Feature
Ohio River
Coordinates
Description
(C1, D1, D2, D3,
D4, C4, C5, B5)
The Ohio River forms the southern and southwestern border of
Ohio.
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 1
Learning About the Physical Geography of Ohio
Physical Feature
Coordinates
Lake Erie
A2, A3, A4
Hocking Hills
C3
William H. Harsha Lake
C1, D1
Grand Lake St. Marys
B1
Campbell Hill
B2
Scioto River
B2, C2, C3, D2
Sandusky Bay
A3
Great Black Swamp
A1, A2, B1
Great Miami River
B2, B1, C1
Kelly’s Island
A3
Lake Plain
A1, A2, A3, A4,
A5, B1
Unglaciated Allegheny
Plateau
B4, B5, C3, C4,
C5, D3, D4
Lexington Plain
D2
Till Plain
B1, B2, C1, C2
Glaciated Allegheny
A4,A5, B3, B4,
B5
Description
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 1
Learning About the Physical Geography of Ohio
1
2
A
Grea
ck
t Bla
mp
Swa
La k
3
4
5
A
in
e Pla
Gla
d
iate
u
tea
Pla
y
en
egh
All
c
B
B
Till Plain
Hocking Hills
C
C
ed
t
cia
gla
Un
Lexington
Plain
D
D
1
2
3
4
5
Ohio
Challenge 2
Learning About the Human Geography of Ohio
Human Features in Ohio
Human features are geographic features that were
constructed or created by people. Some human features were built a long time ago (800 BC - 100 AD),
like the Great Serpent Mound, while others have a
more recent history. In Challenge 2, a set of latitude
and longitude coordinates is given for each human
feature. The coordinates listed are as close to the
city or human feature as possible (Note: Major Cities
are marked either with a star or a dot). At the end of
the lesson, your teacher may use Google Earth or
similar program to help students more precisely locate the human features and view them from an aerial and/or bird’s eye view.
The Great Serpent Mound is an example of an ancient human feature.
Directions
1. Get your copy of the unlabeled Human Features Map of Ohio (a.k.a. Political Map) and Record Sheet for
Mapping Lab, Challenge 2.
2. Select one of the Human features (cities, counties, human made structures, etc) listed on the Record
Sheet for Challenge 2. Find it on the political map of Ohio by using the provided latitude and longitude
coordinates (they will get you close to it’s absolute location).
3. Record the name of the county in which each Human Feature is located.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until you have recorded counties for each human feature.
Example
Physical Feature
Columbus
Coordinates
40ºN, 83º W
Counties
Franklin
Extension Activity
In 1806, the U.S. Government agreed to build the
National Road from Cumberland, Maryland to the
frontier lands in the West. By the 1838, the National Road reached Vandalia, Illinois, but funding
for the project was cut in 1840 due to the increased use of railroads. The National Road was a
macadam road, which consisted of three layers of
crushed stones with a top coat of a limestone
dust to bind the gravel together.
Activity 1: Using the map to the left and the Human Features of Ohio Map for Challenge 2, identify the latitude line that the National Road
roughly follows across the state.
Activity 2: Construct a timeline that shows how transportation in Ohio has changed from frontier times to today.
Activity 3: Go to http://www.buckeyetraffic.org/ and record your observations of Ohio’s current interstate highway system, using data from webcams, road sensors, construction alerts,
and traffic reports.
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 2
Learning About the Human Geography of Ohio
Physical Feature
Cincinnati
Coordinates
39ºN, 84.5ºW
Cleveland
41.5ºN, 81.5ºW
Akron
41ºN, 81.5ºW
Marietta
39.5ºN, 81.5ºW
Zanesville
40ºN, 82ºW
Portsmouth
38.5ºN, 83º W
Dayton
40ºN, 84ºW
Toledo
42ºN, 84ºW
Lima
41ºN, 84ºW
Sandusky
41.5ºN, 83ºW
Ohio Amish Communities
40.5ºN, 82ºW and
38.5ºN, 83.5ºW
Serpent Mound
39ºN, 83.5ºW
Fort Ancient
39.5ºN, 84ºW
Newark Earthworks
40ºN, 82.5ºW
Hopewell Mound Group
39.5ºN, 83ºW
County
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 2
Learning About the Human Geography of Ohio
84o W
83o W
82o W
81o W
42o N
42o N
41o N
41o N
ies
nit
sh
i
Am
40o N
u
mm
Co
40o N
Newark Earth Works
Fort Ancient
Hopewell Mounds
39o N
Serpent Mound
39o N
ies
nit
u
mm
sh
i
Am
Co
82o W
84o W
o
83 W
81o W
Ohio
Challenge 3
Using Geography Skills to Answer “Where?”
1. Look carefully at each map your teacher projects. For each map, discuss
the three questions below with your partner. Be prepared to respond if
your teacher calls on you.
 What are at least 3 key symbols or colors on the map? What do they
represent?
 What key information does this map show?
 Is this information about physical geography or human geography?
2. Get a copy of the challenge card for “Challenge 3” from your teacher.
3. Read the question on your card. Scan the names of the research stations to
determine which one has the map you need to answer the question.
4. Go to that station and note any information or locations that will help you
answer the question.*
5. Once you have all the information you need to answer the question, return
to your desk. Get your table for the Ohio Mapping Lab, Challenge 3. Find
the row with the number that matches your question. Circle the name of
the map you used to find your answer. Write the answer in a complete
sentence.
6. Bring your Challenge 3 table to the teacher. If your answer is correct, get a
new Challenge 3 card, and repeat steps 3-6.
* Please note that the locations on the Place Cards 1-5 are approximate.
Location grids were placed over maps found on the internet.
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 3
Using Geography Skills to Answer “Where?”
Ohio Challenge 3
1
Which regions of Ohio have the best soil and climate
for growing crops?
Ohio Challenge 3
3
Which landform makes up the western region of
Ohio?
Ohio Challenge 3
5
7
Which areas in Ohio have the highest population
density?
Ohio Challenge 3
What percentage of Ohio’s lands can support
deciduous trees and vegetation?
4
Ohio Challenge 3
Which areas have the longest growing season in
Ohio? How long is growing season in these areas?
Which region(s) of Ohio have the most fuel / energy
resources ? Be able to explain your answer.
Ohio Challenge 3
2
Ohio Challenge 3
6
Ohio Challenge 3
Which region of Ohio received under 36 inches of precipitation on average each year? Use cardinal directions to describe the region.
8
Ohio Challenge 3
Which Ohio cities manufacture transportation and
electronic equipment?
9
What is the highest and lowest points in Ohio? How
far are these points above sea level?
Ohio Challenge 3
10
Which physical feature in Southern Ohio is used to
produced hydro-electric power?
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 3
Using Geography Skills to Answer “Where?”
Question
Circle the map you used. Then answer the question in complete sentences.
1
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
2
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
3
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
4
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
5
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
6
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
7
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
8
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
9
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
10
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
Ohio
Challenge 4
Using Geography Skills to Answer “Why There?”
1. Get a Challenge 4 card from your teacher.
2. Read the question on your card. Scan the names of the research stations
to find which stations have information that you need to answer the question.
You will need to visit at least two and as many as all five stations to get all the
information you need.
3. Go to each station that you have identified and note any information or locations that will help you answer the question.*
4. Once you have all the information you need, return to your desk. Get a
copy of the table for the Ohio Mapping Lab, Challenge 4. Find the row with
the number that matches your question. Circle the names of the maps you
used to find your answer. Write the answer in a complete sentence.
5. Bring your Challenge 4 table to the teacher. If your answer is correct, clean
off your transparency, get a new card, and repeat steps 2-5.
* Please note that the locations on the Place Cards 1-5 are approximate.
Location grids were placed over maps found on the internet.
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 4
Using Geography Skills to Answer “Why There?”
Ohio Challenge 4
1
What type of vegetation can be found throughout
Ohio? How might Ohio’s climate help explain why?
Ohio Challenge 4
2
Ohio’s largest cities are Cincinnati, Columbus, and
Cleveland. How might the physical features and
economic activities of these areas help explain why so
many people live there?
3
Find the area of Ohio that is least populated. What
geographic features might help explain why the
population density is lower in their region?
Ohio Challenge 4
Ohio Challenge 4
Ohio Challenge 4
4
Ohio is a major agricultural state. How do the physical
features and climate of different regions of the state
help determine what a farmer grows or raises?
Provide at least 2 examples.
5
In what city does this person live? Why do you think
so?
“I live in an urban area in the with just under 300,000
people. I work at a large auto parts manufacturer, but
many in my family work in the glass industry. My
hometown is just north of the Great Black Swamp and
lies long the Maumee River. Being close to Lake Erie
moderates our humid continental climate somewhat,
but we still have four distinct seasons. Sometimes, we
travel to Cedar Point and Put-In-Bay, during the
summertime for fun and relaxation.
Ohio Challenge 4
6
A farmer grows a mix of fruits and vegetables, like
tomatoes, strawberries, green beans, peas, and carrots, which well suited for Ohio’s humid continental
climate with other deciduous vegetation. On weekends, his family sells their crops at farmer’s markets
in one of two densely populated cities that are a short
drive from their farm. In his free time, he enjoys fishing on Lake Erie or hiking at Cuyahoga Falls National
Park.
Where does this farmer live? Why do you think so?
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 4
Using Geography Skills to Answer “Why There?”
Question
Circle the map you used. Then answer the question in complete sentences.
1
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
2
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
3
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
4
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
5
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
6
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
7
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
8
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
9
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
10
Physical Features
Climate Zones
Vegetation Zones
Population Density
Economic Activity
Ohio
Placard 1
Physical Features and Elevation Map of Ohio
84o W
83o W
82o W
81o W
42o N
42o N
LAKE PLAIN
41o N
40o N
41o N
TILL PLAIN
39o N
40o N
LEXINGTON
PLAIN
Key
1300-1600 Feet
84o W
Major Ohio Land Regions
o
83 W
82o W
1000-1300 Feet
700-1000 Feet
400-700 Feet
Highest Point
Lowest Point
Dam
Ohio
Placard 2A
Climate Zones of Ohio
84o W
83o W
82o W
81o W
o
42 N
42o N
41o N
41o N
40o N
40o N
U.S. Climate Zones
39o N
Ice Cap
Tundra / Sub Arctic
o
84 W
o
83 W
Parts of World with a Similar Climate to Ohio
o
82 W
Highlands
Humid Continental
Humid Subtropical
Arid
Semiarid
Tropical wet and dry
Ohio
Placard 2B
Plant Hardiness (Climate) Zones of Ohio
84o W
83o W
82o W
81o W
o
42o N
42 N
41o N
41o N
40o N
40o N
39o N
82o W
o
84 W
83o W
Plant Hardiness Zones
of North America
Ohio
Placard 2C
Average Annual Precipitation of Ohio
83o W
84o W
82o W
81o W
42o N
42o N
41o N
41o N
40o N
40o N
39o N
39o N
81o W
84o W
o
83 W
Precipitation
82o W
Average Annual Precipitation
of the United States
Ohio
Placard 3
Vegetation Zones of Ohio
84o W
83o W
82o W
81o W
o
42 N
42o N
41o N
41o N
40o N
40o N
39o N
Vegetation Zones
Ice Cap
o
84 W
83o W
82o W
Tundra
Desert Scrub
Parts of World with Similar Vegetation to Ohio
Temperate Grassland
Chaparral
Deciduous Forest
Mixed Forest (deciduous
and coniferous)
Coniferous
Ohio
Placard 4
Population Density of Ohio
84o W
83o W
82o W
81o W
42o N
42o N
41o N
41o N
40o N
40o N
39o N
Population
84o W
83o W
82o W
Ohio
Placard 5
Economic Activity and Land Use Map of Ohio
84o W
83o W
82o W
81o W
42o N
42o N
41o N
41o N
40o N
40o N
39o N
39o N
84o W
83o W
82o W
KEY
81o W
Ohio
Challenge 5
Using Maps to Analyze Field Photographs
1. Listen to your teachers instructions and get into your assigned group. He/
she will be passing out a Field Photo (different one for each group), a
Location Jot-Chart, Location Summary page, and
2. Fill in the locations found on your Field Photography on the Location JotChart. under the Location A,B, and C titles.
3. When your teacher tells you, quickly visit the research stations (Physical
Feature, Climate Zones (3 maps), Vegetation Zone, Population Density, and
Economic Activity Maps) around the room with your partners. Write down
as much information as possible about the 3 locations on your Location
Chart.
4. With your partners, carefully analyze the information in your notes and
details from the field photographs. Figure out which location matches the
information shown in the photo.
5. Support your conclusions with evidence from the Location Chart and the
Field photographs on the Challenge 5 Summary Sheet..
6. Present your findings to the class.
7. Record information from all of the Field Photos on the Field Photograph
Study Notes handout based on information presented by the other
groups.
8. Prepare for the Ohio Geography Assessment.
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 5
Location Jot-chart
Location A
(
Physical
Features
Climate
Zones
Vegetation
Zones
Population
Density
Economic
Activity
Location B
) (
Location C
) (
)
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 5
Location Summary Sheet
We think the field photograph best matches Location ____________.
Supporting-Evidence Statements
1. From the ____________________________________ map, we learned that this location
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
In the field photograph, we see _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
2. From the ____________________________________ map, we learned that this location
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
In the field photograph, we see _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
3. From the ____________________________________ map, we learned that this location
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
In the field photograph, we see _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 5
Location Summary Sheet (Continued)
We think the field photograph best matches Location ____________.
Supporting-Evidence Statements
4. From the ____________________________________ map, we learned that this location
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
In the field photograph, we see _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
5. From the ____________________________________ map, we learned that this location
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
In the field photograph, we see _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Challenge 5
Field Photograph Study Notes
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Field Photo
Location
Evidence
Ohio
Field Photo 1
Field Photograph
Location A
39 north, 82o west
o
Location B
40.5 north, 83.5o west
o
Location C
41.5 north, 82.5o west
o
Location A
40 north, 83o west
o
o
Location B
41.5 north, 81.5o west
Field Photograph
Location C
41 north, 81.5o west
o
Ohio
Field Photo 2
Location A
40 north, 81o west
o
o
Location B
40 north, 84o west
Field Photograph
Location C
41.5 north, 81.5o west
o
Ohio
Field Photo 3
Location A
40 north, 82o west
o
o
Location B
40.5 north, 84.5o west
Field Photograph
Location C
39 north, 82o west
o
Ohio
Field Photo 4
Location A
40 north, 82o west
o
o
Location B
40.5 north, 84.5o west
Field Photograph
Location C
39 north, 82o west
o
Ohio
Field Photo 5
Location A
39 north, 84.5o west
o
o
Location B
40.5 north, 81o west
Field Photograph
Location C
41 north, 83o west
o
Ohio
Field Photo 6
Location A
41.5 north, 81.5o west
o
o
Location B
40 north, 83o west
Field Photograph
Location C
38.5 north, 83.5o west
o
Ohio
Photo 7
Location A
41.5 north, 82.5o west
o
o
Location B
39.5 north, 84.5o west
Field Photograph
Location C
40 north, 81o west
o
Ohio
Field Photo 8
OHIO MAPPING LAB
Ohio Mapping Lab
Lesson Guide
Created by Kathy Chitwood (Dublin City Schools) and Corbin Moore
(Hamilton City Schools) for the Ohio Council for the Social Studies and
Fourth Grade Teachers Across our great state.