1. Maps Read the following questions, and jot down your thoughts in your notebook. Be sure to number and restate your answers. You have 3 minutes to complete this activity. 1. What is a map? 2. Why are maps useful? 3. What do maps show? Compare your answers to your elbow buddy.

2. Maps Maps are used for a variety of purposes. There are 5 major types of maps. Let’s take a look at an example of each type. Globe- A 3-D map earth. This is the most accurate map of earth.

3. Physical Maps Purpose: These show some physical aspect of Earth’s surface.

4. Political Map Purpose: These maps show boarders of states, countries, continents, etc. They have bright colors.

5. Road/Street Maps Purpose: These maps show you how to travel to a destination by vehicle. You may have a book of road maps in your car. This is called an atlas.

6. Historical Map Purpose: To show changes over times. These maps typically show how land once looked or how boarders have changes over time.

7. Thematic Maps Purpose: This is a type of map especially designed to show a particular theme connected with a specific geographic area.mapgeographic area Examples of thematic maps: 1) climate maps, 2) population maps, 3) product maps, 4) elevation maps, etc.

8. How do I read a map? First, read the title of a map. It will always give you clues as to what information the map is give you. Symbol- Maps have symbols. A symbol is a picture that represents something else. Map Key/Legend- The key or legend on a map tells you what the symbols on the map represent.

9. What does this map show?

11. Scale Purpose: A map scale allows us to determine distances between two or more locations. I am in Birmingham, Alabama. How much further do I have to drive to get to Orlando, Florida?

12. Locator Purpose: A map locator show the location of a particular geographic area within its larger and more familiar area. geographic area We may be unfamiliar with where Saudi Arabia is located in the world. The locator zooms out, and gives us a better understanding of the part of the world in which we can find this country.

13. Now that you’re map experts, let’s practice! You will be traveling around the room to various map centers. You may decide to work independently, with a partner from your group, or as a whole team to answer the questions at each map center. If you get stuck, ask at least 3 team members before raising your hand.