DIXIE STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

UNIT PLAN TEMPLATE

Teacher Candidate:_Hailey Hammer
Grade Level _1st Grade____

Content Area: Geography: Maps and Globes_

Step 1 DESIRED RESULTS

A. Contextual Factors
23 total students: 13 boys and 10 girls
No ELL students
1 IEP:
Chase: Speech
High Level Reading:
Gracie
Mack
Xeke
Maddie
Porter
Classroom Environment:

The classroom is split into two long tables. This makes it easy for
collaborative and buddy work. There is a colored rug in the front of the
room where students gather for literacy and other whole group
activities. The smart board is used for activities with math. There are 3
horseshoe tables in the classroom that are used for the Daily 5 centers
with guided reading and Math centers. The classroom is open and has
a lot of space for interactive learning and groups.
B. Utah State Core or Common Core Curriculum Standard

Standard 3:
(Geography): Students will use geographic tools to demonstrate how
symbols and models are used to represent features of the school, the
neighborhood, and the real world.
Objective 1: Identify and use geographic terms and tools.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Use a compass to locate cardinal directions.

Identify the equator and north and south poles.
Identify Utah on a variety of maps and on a globe.
Identify the United States on a variety of maps and on a globe.

Objective 2: Recognize and use a map or a globe.

A. Create a map showing important sites or landmarks on a school or

community (i.e., firehouse, city hall, churches).
B. Locate physical features (i.e. continents, oceans, rivers, lakes), and manmade features (equator, North and South poles, countries) on a map and on a

globe.
C. Identify the compass rose and cardinal directions on a map and on a globe.

C. Enduring Understanding/Big Idea

Students will understand they are a in a small part of a larger

world.
Maps can teach us different things about our continent, country,
state and community.
By knowing directions we can read a map.
By demonstrating knowledge of maps, we can be successful in
finding any location needed.

D. Essential Questions/Guiding Questions

Why are maps so important to understand?

How do you use a map?
Why do we need maps?
How do you use a compass?
What are the cardinal directions?

E. Concepts

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

-

Know that directions tell us where to go and how to find specific

locations.

Know different features of maps (ie. Physical and man made

features)

Know how to use a compass and find directions.

Know how to locate specific locations on a map. (Utah, United

States, equator etc.)

F. Skills

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

1. Draw and label a compass rose and understand directions.
2. Know how to read an atlas and locate continents, countries and the

state of Utah.
3. Know how to read a variety of maps.
4. Locate and Label Physical and Man made features on a variety of
maps.
5. Draw and create a map of their own using cardinal directions.
6. Listen to books read about maps and globes.
7. Learn and sing a song to remember directions.
Step 2 ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE
1. Pre-Assessments
-

Students will be given a pre test, which includes;

On a map circling the equator.
On a map coloring in the state of Utah.
On a map coloring North America.
Labeling a compass rose.
List what you know about maps and globes.

2. Formative Assessments/Evidence
During the lessons:
- Questioning (turn to tables, talk to buddies)
- Me on a Map Booklet for each lesson
- White board activities
- Using atlas books with sticky notes.
- Drawing a compass rose and labeling it.
- Following directions to specific locations.
3. Summative Assessments/Evidence
Students will be given the same Post Test as the Pre Test. They will be asked
to:
- Circle the equator
- Label the north and south poles
- Color in a specific color (North America)
- On a map find and color the state of Utah.
- Find and Label a Compass rose with directions.
- List new things they know about maps and globes.

Step 3 Lesson Objectives with Instructional Strategies

Lesson 1: Learning cardinal directions and using a compass
- Read The Cow Jumped Over The Moon to introduce directions
- Talk about Compasses
- First page of cardinal directions (Me on a Map Book)

Lesson 2: Using directions to find different areas on a map

- Introduce Maps & Globes
- Finding the Equator and The North and South Pole
- Learn Directions/Locations Song. (Tune of Twinkle Twinkle)
Lesson 3: Being able to find North America and Utah on a
variety of maps
- Use Atlas book with sticky pointy notes to find North America and
Utah
- Find and Color North America
- North American activity with directions.
Lesson 4: Being able to locate Utah on a Map of the United
States.
- Use an atlas and map to locate Utah and surrounding states.
- Find and color Utah on a map.
- Learn specific facts about Utah and label a map.
Lesson 5: Physical Features on a map (Mountains, Rivers,
Oceans)
- Use PowerPoint with pictures of Physical Features.
- Talk about the 5 oceans.
- Show Physical Features on maps (Rivers/blue,
Mountains/Shadowed)
- Activity Book for Physical Features.
Lesson 6: Create a Map of their own
- Label Directions on their map
- Make a map of the classroom.
- Use a compass on a treasure hunt to find hidden treasure.