Map Reading

Students identify their watershed with the Watershed Information Model, GoogleEarth, & other maps.

Student Goals: Students learn to use models to understand a geographic area. Students will learn the vocabulary and skills necessary for map reading.

Instructional Resources: Watershed Information Model, GoogleEarth, GPS unit, topo maps, maps that are unique to the region such as habitat, burn intensity, ownership...

Activities:

Students explore their region. Analyze escape routes, watershed boundaries, different habitats, soil types as they relate to geography, economic factors related to the physical environment, recreational uses of the maps. Look up information that gives new insights on the area. Find satellite images of the area. Put yarn or outline the watersheds on the map/ discuss sub watersheds and the bigger ones.

Cross-curricular:

	Language Arts: Write about and describe the area being looked at from a unique perspective
	Math: Show examples of scale, elevation and slope as they relate to topo maps; Create a topo map example
	Science: Examine different habitats and discuss what variables make each unique. Discuss adaptations by plants, animals, and fungi as they relate to the habitats in your region. Have students identify fire challenges.
	Social Studies: Teach basic map reading, latitude/longitude, map types, and use of technological tools to better understand geography; Examine signs of historical activity as it relates to the maps and the region.

Multi-sensory- learner involvement & self assessment / Outcome:

Create a paper Mache environment and develop a topo map to accompany it. Students write a page on the social history (logging, gold, where the name came from, explorers, Indians) of the area (fiction or non), and a page on the Natural history of the area as it matches the maps (such as the geology, watershed, animals, plants, micro-climates...) Have students answer how fire has played a role in this.

Extensions:

Investigate Geo-caching; Guest speakers that can better explain specific types of maps; Develop maps;