Unit Plan: Map Symbols and Titles

Lesson Plan for Tuesday

Grade: 2nd
Social Studies Strand: Geography
Submitted By: Neo Sequeira


EDEL 453: Teaching Elementary School Social Science
Nevada State College Spring 2014
Instructor: Karen Powell
Lesson Plan for Tuesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 2
B. Summary of the Lesson Plan:
This social studies lesson is designed for 2
nd
grade students to learn that maps have titles for
what the map is showing and symbols that represent specific places on that map. This
lesson uses simple maps with titles and symbols and a chart to identify them.
C. Basic Information:
Grade Level: 2
nd
grade
Time to Complete this Lesson: approximately 50 min.
Groupings:
o whole class- model where to look for symbols and titles
o independent/partners/groups- interactive map game
o partners- activity on identifying titles and symbols with chart.
D. Materials:
Pencil
Title and Symbols of Maps Chart
Simple maps of places with symbols and titles (printed or real maps)
Computer for use of Google maps (show Las Vegas)and website
(http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/multimedia/interactive/maps-
tools-adventure-island/kd/?ar_a=3)
E. Objectives:
o NV State Social Studies Standards
G5.2.1 Identify titles and symbols of maps.
o Student-Friendly Standards
Students will use various different types of maps to identify the title and
symbols of the maps.
F. Vocabulary
Map a picture or chart that shows an area in the world.
Title a name to something to describe it.
Symbol a picture or object that represents or stands for something else.
G. Procedure:
1. First start by showing students the Google maps of Las Vegas. Show them symbols on
the map and ask what place the map is for (the title).
Lesson Plan for Tuesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 3
2. If enough computers are available, each student should have their own or group them
depending on the amount available. They will be playing the interactive game
Adventure Island Maps: Tools for Adventure.
3. When students are done playing the game, make sure they write down the number of
tips they were paid, so they can be compared to the other students.
4. When all students are done playing the game, they will then be partnered up. Partners
will take turns with the other partners looking through maps with symbols and titles
(maps will be numbered 1-5).
5. Using the chart provided, partners will write down the title and a few symbols of a map
into the correct spot.
H. Assessment:
What will you use to measure student understanding?
I will use the Titles and Symbols of Maps chart to assess understanding.
Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the lesson.
Students will be able to identify titles and symbols of maps. Using the chart I will be able
to assess if students know how to find the meanings behind the symbols of maps and
their titles.
I. Closure:
Pick one or two of the maps students had and go over it. For example, ask students
which symbol represents a lake? Or the flowers represent what? What is the title to this
map?
J. Reflection:
1. Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach?
The easiest part to teach will be modeling how to find symbols and titles of maps.
2. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach?
The most challenging part to teach will be making sure students are on task when
using the computers and making sure they understand the directions on the screen.
3. How will you follow up or extend this lesson?
I will follow up this lesson by having students make their own map keys in the
following lesson.
4. What can you do for students who dont grasp the concepts?
For students who dont grasp the concept I can have them pair up with someone
who understands it better for the chart activity and for the computer interactive
game, those students can form a group and I will work with them together.

Lesson Plan for Tuesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 4
5. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change?
If there is any part of the lesson that will need changes, it is the computer use for the
interactive game. There might not be enough computers in the class, so this lesson
is good for a time when the computer lab is available for your class.
6. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part?
The most difficult part was finding an activity to go along with identifying map
symbols and titles, not creating them.

















Lesson Plan for Tuesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 5
Titles and Symbols of Maps

Partners: _____________________________________________________________________

Map Title Symbols
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5


Lesson Plan for Tuesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 6
Examples of Maps to Use for Chart