Day 1 Lesson Plan

Title of lesson: Introduction to Maps and Globes

Type of lesson: Whole Group/ Central
Standards:
SS.1.G.1.In.d Identify land and water on a map and globe, such as by using the color key—blue
is water, and green/brown is land.
SS.1.G.1.4 Identify a variety of physical features using a map and globe.
SS.K.G.1.2 Explain that maps and globes help to locate different places and that globes are a
model of the Earth.

Objectives: Students will be able to understand the difference between maps and globes by
identifying water and land, through various activities, observations and discussions.

Materials:
 Inflatable globe
 Simple map of world (laminated)
 Green and blue sticky notes
 Dry erase markers
 Whiteboard/Chalkboard
 Looking at Maps and Globes by Rebecca Olien

Procedures:

Before the lesson begin a KWL chart by asking what the students know about oceans. Continue
with what they WANT to know. The students should discuss this in small groups and then during
the lesson ask those questions if it is not answered.
Teachers should set up a whiteboard or chalkboard with the words ocean or land creating a T-
chart.

After completing the KWL chart ask the students to sit in a circle around the inflatable globe in
the middle. While the globe is still in the middle read “Looking at Maps and Globes” by Rebecca
Olien. After reading discuss the contents of the book, asking questions to get the students minds
engaged before the activity. A few examples of questions can be do you think the earth has more
land or more water? As well as activating background knowledge by asking if we live near water
or if they have been anywhere near water recently.

Before starting the game explain that on the globe blue represents water and any other color
represents land. Then to start the game explain to the students that the ball will be tossed back
and forth, but the person who catches the ball needs to look at where their hands landed. If their
hands landed in an area mainly covered buy land they need to put on a green sticky note the
word land; If the student landed in the area mainly covered by water they will put the word water
on a blue sticky note. After everyone has gotten a chance to receive the ball and write their
answer on a sticky note the students will go up to the T-chart created on the board and place their
sticky note under the correct side.

After looking at the globe the students will then redirect their attention to a simple flat map,
which they should already know what looks like after reading the book. Every student will then
be given a chance to take a dry erase marker and go up to the map and right the word land or
water. Make it clear to the students that they can write it however big or small to indicate how
large that mass of land or water is, this way they have both representations and are able to come
to their own conclusion. After every student has gone the map should be filled with words and
should give the students perspective when comparing the T-chart, globe and the map.

After the students have written their answers and given the chance to see everything, the teacher
should reiterate the question asked while reading “Is there more land than water?” allow students
to engage in discussion, then discuss with the class. Then individually they will complete the
KWL chart and finish it off by discussing as a class.

Evaluation:
The teacher will be able to assess the students' skill and grasp of the subject being taught through
guided questions, close monitoring, and informal observation. The teacher will be able to
evaluate students by individually assessing and analyzing their responses after they have
completed their own turn on the exercise, as well as requesting feedback while finishing the
KWL chart.

References:

“Looking at Maps and Globes.” Product-Detail-Page, shop.scholastic.com,

https://shop.scholastic.com/teachers-ecommerce/teacher/books/rookie-read-about-geography-
map-skills-looking-at-maps-and-globes-9780531292884.html. Accessed 24 Apr. 2022.

“Social Studies Grade K - 5021020 | CPALMS.Org.” Social Studies Grade K - 5021020 |

CPALMS.Org, www.cpalms.org, https://www.cpalms.org/PreviewCourse/Preview/4181.
Accessed 24 Apr. 2022.

“Why Children Still Need to Read (and Draw) Maps | Parenting Tips &….” PBS KIDS for
Parents, www.pbs.org, https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/why-children-still-need-to-read-and-
draw-maps. Accessed 24 Apr. 2022.