ALEX Learning Activity

  

What Can Be Found on a Physical Map of Alabama?

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

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  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Jacquelyn Deese
System:Mobile County
School:J E Turner Elementary
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2401
Title:
What Can Be Found on a Physical Map of Alabama?
Digital Tool/Resource:
Ducksters.com
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

After an extensive study of physical maps, the students will locate and create physical and political features on a map of Alabama. The above link will be used to research and aid in the creation of the features found in Alabama.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
Social Studies
SS2010 (2010)
Grade: 2
Living and Working Together in State and Nation
5 ) Differentiate between a physical map and a political map.

Examples: physical—illustrating rivers and mountains

political—illustrating symbols for states and capitals

•  Using vocabulary associated with geographical features, including latitude, longitude, and border
Unpacked Content
Strand: Geography
Course Title: Living and Working Together in State and Nation
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • Identify states, continents, oceans, the equator and other geographic features on maps, globes, and technology resources.
  • Use map elements to locate and describe features on maps, globes, and technology resources.
  • Use appropriate terminology, including directions and intermediate directions, to describe locations on maps, globes and technology resources.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • differentiate
  • geographical features
  • physical map
  • political map
  • geography
  • latitude
  • longitude
  • border
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • The difference between political and physical maps and the information that can be gained from each.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • Select the most appropriate map type to gather needed information.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • There are differences between a physical map and a political map and the appropriate uses of each.
Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
SS.AAS.2.5- Show students how to locate geographical features, including latitude, longitude, and border on a map.
Learning Objectives:

The student will be able to locate features that can be found on a physical map such as rivers, lakes, and mountains. 

The student will be able to locate features that can be found on a political map such as county of residence and the state capital.
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
After/Explain/Elaborate
Activity:

1.  The students will brainstorm the features that can be found on physical and political maps in general and write on chart paper.

2.  Groups will use an iPad to search for (1) physical features of Alabama (2) political features of Alabama using the following link:  https://www.ducksters.com/geography/state.php?State=Alabama.  

3.  The students will be given two blank State of Alabama maps. They will be labeled Map 1-Physical Map and Map 2- Political Map.  

4.  For the physical map, students will locate at least 2 rivers, 1 lake, and 1 mountain. Once located, students will label these on a Map 1.

5.  For the political map students will locate the capital and the county they reside in and label on Map 2.

4. Next, students will use salt dough to create the same landforms labeled on Map 1 and place on their cardboard shaped state. Students should be encouraged to be creative using colors to signify certain landforms.

5.  The students will only color Map 2 and write or make pinpoints that signify their county and state capital.

5. Groups will share with the class the features they found and where they are located.  Emphasize that the students MUST use the vocabulary, physical map, and political map to differentiate between the two.
Assessment Strategies:

Evaluation can include the participation in the group research, creativity of the maps and presentation including differentiating between the political map and the physical map. The teacher should check to be sure each student is able to identify the features that distinguish a physical map from a political map.  
Advanced Preparation:

  • Working iPad for each student or group 

  • Internet access

  • Colored salt dough already divided among the groups

  • Cardboard shaped like your state

  • Chart paper

  • Big map of your state with physical features

  • 2 paper maps of your state for each student

  • Pencil  and markers

  • Interactive whiteboard with link pulled up

  • Prearranged groups
Variation Tips (optional):

The teacher may want to pull up the link on the interactive whiteboard as a whole group and review the landforms before breaking into group work.  
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
 
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: differentiate, features, geography, land forms, physical features, physical map, political map