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PlayOwl

Geography · Grade 1

Read and Compare Simple Maps

Learners discover that every map has a job: park maps, bus route maps, zoo maps and weather maps each show different things. They read a grid map of a make-believe park by counting squares and using directions, compare two maps of the same park made for different jobs, and practice choosing the map that answers a question.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 55 minutes
  • Maps check: 8 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, count, plot points, match pairs and type a number
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Tell what different kinds of maps are for: a park map, a bus route map, a zoo map and a weather map.
  • Read a park map on a grid: find places, count squares and give directions.
  • Compare two maps of the same place and tell what each one shows and leaves out.
  • Choose the map that best answers a question, and explain why.

Lessons

  1. Every map has a job 7 steps4 practiceabout 13 min
  2. Read a park map 7 steps4 practiceabout 14 min
  3. Two maps of one place 7 steps4 practiceabout 14 min
  4. Choose the right map 7 steps4 practiceabout 12 min
  5. Maps check 8 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Globe ExplorerSpin a real 3D globe, flip to the flat map, and find continents, oceans and countries.
  • Mapmaker QuestFollow directions to make a map, then read its legend, compass rose and scale.
  • Landform ExplorerMountains, valleys, peninsulas and deltas — learn the shapes of the land and find them on Earth.

More 1st grade geography

Guide for grown-ups