Unit Plan: Construct a Map Key

Lesson Plan for Wednesday

Grade: 2
nd
grade
Social Studies Strand: Geography
Submitted By: Neo Sequeira


EDEL 453: Teaching Elementary School Social Science
Nevada State College Spring 2014
Instructor: Karen Powell
Lesson Plan for Wednesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 2
B. Summary of the Lesson Plan:
This social studies lesson is designed for 2
nd
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 key
o independent- students will make their own map key with given symbols
D. Materials:
Symbols Worksheet (for teacher only)
Create Your Own Map Key worksheet
Map with key and title to model
Coloring 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.
Lesson Plan for Wednesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 3
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 cant 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 dont grasp the concepts?
For students who dont grasp the concept, I will work with them together to
develop a key as a group.
Lesson Plan for Wednesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 4
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.


























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

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 5
Symbols Worksheet


Find which symbol belongs in which box.













Create Your Own Map Key

Name: __________________________ Title: ___________________________________
Lesson Plan for Wednesday Strand: Geography submitted by: Neo Sequeira

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 6

MAP KEY

Symbol Meaning