Overview

Why do we use maps? What can we learn from them? Why would we need different types of maps? In this project, students will learn to use and draw different kinds of maps (with a focus on three types of maps - physical,?climate, and?political). Students will participate in email exchanges that use maps and geography to get to know their ePals and how and where their ePals live. They will learn about the most important parts of their ePals location, and how that location differs from their own, and about how important maps can be. We want your students to walk away from this unit loving maps and geography.

1. Why do we use maps?
2. Why do we need different types of maps?
3. What are the?parts of a good map?
4. How do different types of maps help us understand different places?

1. Students will use different thematic maps (physical, climate, and political maps) to gather information, ask and answer questions about any given location.
2. Students will?utilize email to ask and answer questions about geographic locations of themselves and others.
3. Students will acquire geographic information using academic language and different kinds of maps.

1. Engage, Activate Prior Knowledge and Build Context;
2. Exchange five emails with ePals;
3. Create presentations about their ePals? country as a culminating activity; and,
4. Reflect/Assess.