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Geography · Grade 2

Create an Illustrated Atlas

An atlas is a book of maps. Learners use an atlas's contents page and its index with letter-number squares, name the parts every atlas page needs (title, key, compass rose, scale, and pictures with captions), measure distances with a simple scale where 1 square = 1 block, and then plan, build and check their own illustrated atlas page for a made-up home region, keeping real addresses private.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 60 minutes
  • Atlas check: 8 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, plot points, match pairs, type a number and put in order
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Use an atlas's contents page and index to find a map and a place.
  • Name the parts of an atlas page (title, key, compass rose, scale, pictures with captions) and tell what each part does.
  • Use a simple scale, such as 1 square = 1 block, to find distances on a grid map.
  • Plan, build and check an illustrated atlas page for a made-up region, keeping private information off it.

Lessons

  1. What is an atlas? 7 steps4 practiceabout 15 min
  2. Parts of an atlas page 7 steps4 practiceabout 14 min
  3. Use a simple scale 7 steps4 practiceabout 15 min
  4. Plan, build and check your page 7 steps3 practiceabout 16 min
  5. Atlas 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.
  • Pin the PlanetDrag the pin onto wonders, cities and exact latitude and longitude points.
  • Mapmaker QuestFollow directions to make a map, then read its legend, compass rose and scale.

More 2nd grade geography

Guide for grown-ups