Students learn that maps use little pictures called symbols to stand for real places — and that the map key is the secret decoder that tells you what each symbol means.
Students will be able to…
A map can’t fit a whole real school on it, so it uses a tiny picture instead. How do you know what all those little symbols mean?
Project this map and tap each symbol. Have students use the map key to figure out what real place each little picture stands for.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
A whole school on a map? How do they fit it?
Students investigate.
Explore more.
Think it through.
Students take action.
Aligned to the C3 Framework for Social Studies and Common Core literacy in social studies.
Construct maps, graphs, and other representations of familiar places.
Use maps, globes, and other simple geographic representations to describe places.
Use maps and models to identify characteristics of places.
Know and use various text features (including a key) to locate information.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students draw a map of the classroom from above, create symbols for the door, desks, and reading corner, and make a key. A printable map-making sheet is in the Social Studies library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.