wednesday: construct a map key

Unit Plan: Construct a Map KeyLesson Plan for WednesdayGrade: 2nd gradeSocial Studies Strand: Geography

Submitted By: Neo Sequeira

EDEL 453: Teaching Elementary School Social ScienceNevada State College – Spring 2014Instructor: Karen Powell

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

B. Summary of the Lesson Plan : This social studies lesson is designed for 2nd grade students to learn about map keys by creating one of their own with given symbols and giving it a title. This lesson uses maps without keys and titles for students to make their own.

C. Basic Information: Grade Level: 2nd grade Time to Complete this Lesson: approximately 50 min. Groupings:

o whole class- teacher models a map with a keyo independent- students will make their own map key with given symbols

D. Materials: Symbols Worksheet (for teacher only)Create Your Own Map Key worksheetMap with key and title to modelColoring utensils

E. Objectives: o NV State Social Studies Standards

G5.2.3 Construct a map key from given symbols and choose a map title. (strategy #25)

o Student-Friendly Standards Students will make a map key from given symbols and choose a title

for a map with those symbols.

F. Vocabulary Map key –a chart on a map to explain what the symbols on the map mean. Symbols – a picture or an object that represents or stands for something else. Title: a name for something to describe it.

G. Procedure: 1. Give a quick review on symbols using the symbols worksheet. Show students which

symbol belongs in which box.

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 2


2. Next use a map with a key and title to show students how the symbols on the map represent things or places that the map key explains. Show them where a title to a map is usually located and tell them the title to the map you are modeling.

3. Pass out the Create Your Own Map Key worksheet.4. Students will look at the map they have and decide which symbols on the map they

would like to include on their map key. They will also write what each symbol means.

5. Students will name their maps however they like as long as it makes sense to what there is on the map (ex. Students can’t name their maps “My school” if it is a map of an island).

6. When students are done creating their map keys and giving their maps a title they are allowed to color them.

H. Assessment: What will you use to measure student understanding?

I will use their map keys to assess student understanding. Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the

lesson. Students will be able to make their own map key with given symbols and choose a map title. I will know students understand by looking at the symbols they have chosen from the map and their title and making sure they are all appropriate and make sense.

I. Closure: I will go over the Make Your Own Map Key worksheet and let students know

symbols they could have used and titles to their maps. I will also have a few students share their map keys.

J. Reflection: 1. Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach?

The easiest to teach will be the quick review on symbols.2. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach?

The hardest part to teach will be making sure students understand how to create a key and find an appropriate title for their maps.

3. How will you follow up or extend this lesson?I can extend this lesson by having students make a simple map of their room and making a map key to explain where a few objects are.

4. What can you do for students who don’t grasp the concepts?



For students who don’t grasp the concept, I will work with them together to develop a key as a group.

5. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change?If any part needs to be changed, it may have to be the map used for students to make their own key.

6. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part?The most difficult part was coming up with activities for the standard.



Symbols Worksheet

Find which symbol belongs in which box.

Create Your Own Map Key



Name: __________________________ Title: ___________________________________

MAP KEY

Symbol Meaning


wednesday: construct a map key

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