Summary
In this introductory unit on using map scales, students will use a map scale to determine the distance between two points on a map.
Essential Question(s)
How does using a map scale help me?
Snapshot
Engage
Students listen to the book Mapping Penny’s World by Loreen Leedy and discuss road trips they have taken.
Explore
Students develop a travel plan flyer to reinforce map scale reading/measuring skills.
Explain
Students present their travel flyers to the class and explain how they measured the distance between their cities.
Extend
Students make graphical representations that illustrate the total number of miles the class traveled and compare their distance planned to others and to the total.
Evaluate
Students participate in partner work.
Materials
Oklahoma maps: enough for students to work in pairs
Rulers
Pencils
Notebook paper11 x 17 white paper, possibly larger, if available
Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
Road Trip Guidelines
Mapping Penny’s World by Loreen Leedy
Engage
Have students Think-Pair-Share to answer the question, “Have you ever taken a road trip?”
Share the book Mapping Penny’s World by Loreen Leedy.
As you read it, point out the map skills used by Penny. (For example, look at pages 3 and 4 and discuss the elements that make up a map.)
Using the classroom map, locate the map scale for the class. If a classroom map isn’t available, then a map from Google could be used or one from the students’ Social Studies textbook.
Demonstrate how to use a ruler and a map scale to determine the distance from one point on the map to another.
Distribute Oklahoma maps to pairs of students.
Ask students to locate the map scale. Discuss the unit of measurement used on the map scale.
As a class, have the students find the distance between Oklahoma City and Ponca City. Teacher should walk around the room helping when needed.
Direct students to find the distance between Ponca City and Tulsa. Teacher will walk around the room helping as needed.
Explore
Direct students to find physical or geographical features seen on the map. Record the findings on the board.
Tell students they are “Travel Agents” planning the ultimate Oklahoma Road Trip.
Working in partners, have students develop a travel plan for a road trip. Hand out the “Road Trip” guidelines found in the attachments. After discussing the guidelines, allow students ample work time to complete the project. **Measurements will be straight-line measurements: from point A to point B.
Allow students time to further investigate the landforms they ‘discover’ on their road trip.
Ask how do the physical land forms effect the community that surrounds it? •
If technology is available, have students use Google Maps to check their mileage calculations. Once students have checked their calculations, discuss the differences that are seen and possibilities for the difference.
Explain
Ask students to present their travel plan flyer to the class and explain how they decided what towns to visit and their measuring techniques.
Make a class list of the geographic landforms that students mention in their presentations. With their partner, ask students to discuss the list that is made. Compare this list with the first list that was made. Were there any surprises?
Ask students to compare the types of landforms in the different regions of Oklahoma.
Extend
Write on the board the total number of miles each group traveled.
Ask students "What is the best way to display these data? Have students Think-Pair-Share
Possible answers: “bar graph or pictograph.”
Working in partners, have students create their own graphical representations of the class data. They could make this on grid paper or plain paper.
Direct students to do a Gallery Walk/Carousel to show off the graphical representations.
During the Gallery Walk, have one student stay with their group’s poster. This student will share the graph that was made and explain why the graph that was used was selected.
Evaluate
Based on your observations and adjustments you make in the lesson, evaluate how the students are measuring.
Lead a class discussion about everyone observed during the gallery walk.
Model how to determine the cost of the trip if traveling by car. For example if my group traveled 250 miles, how much gas would it take and how much would this cost?
Use the travel plan rubric attachment to assess their work.
Have students respond to the question “ How will knowing how to use a map scale help me in my life?” in a journal or use an Exit Ticket.
Resources
Mapping Penny’s World, by Loreen Leedy
K20 Center. (n.d.). Think-Pair-Share. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/d9908066f654727934df7bf4f5064b49
K20 Center. (n.d.). Gallery Walk/Carousel. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/d9908066f654727934df7bf4f505a54d
K20 Center. (n.d.). Bell Ringers and Exit Tickets. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/d9908066f654727934df7bf4f505d6f2
Road Trip travel plan guidelines
Road Trip brochure rubric
Google Maps