Social Studies Map Skills

Big Idea The study of geography can help us to construct, compare, and conclude information.

Essential Questions How are maps used to construct, compare and conclude information?

What is a map? Now what does that mean? A map is a representation, usually on a flat surface, of the features of an area of the earth showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation. Now what does that mean?

A map is a representation, A map is a drawing or model usually on a flat surface, of a round Earth on a flat surface, of the features of an area of the earth that shows the landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.) or a portion of the heavens, or part of the sky in a particular region, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships drawn to scale according to some convention of representation. using an accepted form of drawing or model.

Directions Directions tell which way to go. What tool do we use to tell which direction we are traveling?

Symbols Symbols are pictures that represent something.

Map Components Title Key or Legend Grid Compass Scale

Key or Legend A key or legend is an area on the map that shows us what each symbol represents.

Scale Scale is the section of the map that shows how much smaller the map is compared to the real area it represents.

Compass Rose A compass rose is a symbol on a map which indicates the directions for a map.

Cardinal Directions North South East West

Intermediate Directions Northeast Southeast Northwest Southwest

Map Skills Worksheet Let’s show what you know about reading a map 

Longitude Latitude

Latitude and Longitude lines form a map grid.

Latitude and Longitude How do we find places on maps?

Latitude and Longitude The earth is divided into imaginary lines called latitude and longitude.

Latitude Lines These imaginary lines that circle the globe running East to West.

Longitude Lines These imaginary lines that circle the globe running North to South. Remember it’s a Long way from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Equator- latitude Prime Meridian - longitude

Where is 0 degree? Equator The equator is 0 degree latitude. It is an imaginary belt that runs halfway point between the North Pole and the South Pole. Equator

Prime Meridian The prime meridian is the zero degree line of longitude that separates the eastern and western hemisphere. Prime Meridian

Social Studies Text Complete workbook page 37 and comprehension questions using page 140-141.