Geography

Name: Casey Korthals

Grade Level: Second Grade

Time: 60 minutes

Lesson Goal(s) / Standards:

2.G.1.2. Use simple map reading skills to identify the map title, label four directions on a compass rose, and interpret the symbols of a map key/legend.

Lesson Objectives:

· Students will be able to correctly label a map of France with direct instruction.

· Students will review different landmarks in France.

· Students will add landforms (mountains) on their map and correctly label them in the key.

· Students will create a postcard from France and include details of the country on it.

Materials Needed:

· A large Topographical map of France

· Blank map of France for each student.

· Markers/crayons

· Reference Sheet(s)

A. The Lesson

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

· getting attention

Bonjour!
What country would you hear this greeting in?
Do you know what it means?

· relating to past experience and/or knowledge

Today we are going to be travelling to France!

· creating a need to know

Does anyone know what continent France is located on?
If we were to travel to France, what is the land going to be like?
Do you think there are mountains? Is the land flat? Is there water located anywhere around the country?

· sharing objective, in general terms

Today, we are going to be looking at maps that will tell us all the answers to these questions.
We’re also going to look at different components, or parts, of a map. Then we will be making our own map and doing another fun activity to prove that we know about France.

2. Content Delivery

· Beginning (10 minutes – Group discussion)

o Show students a topological map of France.

§ http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/lgcolor/frcolor.htm

o Ask what information they get by looking at this particular map. When applicable, ask the students to come up and point to specified areas.

§ What is the title of this map? (there isn’t one specifically, but it’s a map of France)

§ Where is the key/legend located? (on the bottom, left corner)

§ What is the key telling us? (low/hills/mountains)

§ The green on the map means what? (mountains, high land)

§ The white on the map stands for what? (flat land, no mountains)

§ How many different areas of green are there? (5 different spots)

· The green areas signify mountain ranges.

§ The blue that surrounds much of France represents what? (oceans, water)

§ What is a compass rose? (gives directions on a map)

§ Does anyone know the four directions on a compass rose? (North, South, East, West)

§ Can anyone locate the compass rose on our map of France?

§ What does the little ‘N’ at the top arrow stand for? (North)

§ Review the remaining 3 directions.

· South is always opposite of North

· When North is on top, West is always on the left and East on the right.

o One way I remember West and East, when looking at the compass, the word WE should be present. The W standing for West and E for East. WE is a good thing!

§ Locate the capital of France. (Paris)

· Middle (30 minutes – model, discuss, worksheet)

o Inform students that together as a class we are going to create our own maps of France. On our maps, only the information the student will be responsible for knowing will be included.

§ http://www.abcteach.com/maps/france.htm

o What is the first thing that should be done with each of our maps?

§ A title should be put on.

o Direct students to title their maps. This can be as simple as “France”

o Ask the students if they are able to tell where the water is on their maps. Have one student point to it.

o Color the water blue.

o What part of our map is the country of France?

o Color France a color of their choice. A lighter color is recommended because we will be writing on the country. Also, blue should not be used. Blue signifies water on our maps.

o After our maps are colored, remind students that each map has a key/legend.

o Our key/legend will be located on the bottom left hand corner of our map.

§ In the country of Spain

o Label the area designated for the key

o What shape are mountains?

§ Triangle shapes.

§ On our maps mountains will be symbolized by a ^

o Model to students where the ^ will go on our maps.

§ The ^ should be everywhere where there is green on our other map of France.

§ Remember, we said there are 5 different areas of mountains in France, so we need to represent those in the right way.

o Now that there are these “point marks” on our maps, we need to be sure we label that the ^ means mountains.

§ Ask students where they think this information should be placed on our maps.

· The correct answer is in the key.

o Review what the capital of France is. (Paris)

o Where is Paris located on our topographical map? It is represented by a star. This is common on maps. The capital is marked by a star.

o On our map, the capital is marked on there, it’s not labeled, but it’s marked. Ask students if they understand?

§ On our map, the capital is marked by a square.

o Label the capital. (Paris) Allow students to give the small square a color if they want.

o When we add a symbol to our map, what do we need to do with this symbol?

§ We need to add it to our key.

o Ask students what we are still missing. Every map must have one. This thing will help us tell directions.

o We need to add our compass rose!

§ Draw 2 arrows crossing. One straight up and down and one side to side.

§ Label N,S,E,W

§ Remember, north is the top and south is opposite.

§ West and East should spell “WE” when labeled on the compass.

o Review our maps.

§ How do our maps look?

§ What country is this?

§ What is the capital?

§ Where are the mountain ranges?

3. Closure (15 minutes)

· Now that our maps are done, turn the paper over. We are now going to write a small letter about France on the back. When done, this will be a very large postcard we will send our families. By reading our postcards, our families will be able to tell what we learned about the country.

o Reference sheets can be used to provide information about France.

o The student can write about anything they learned while creating their map also.

B. Assessments Used:

· Each student will create and correctly label a map of France.

o A key and compass rose should be included.

· A short letter should be written on the back of the map. Information about France should be included.

C. Differentiated Instruction:

· View the online video about France.

o http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/19429-city-life-in-europe-the-building-of-paris-video.htm

· Have students write or draw something they found interesting or something they remember.

· What would they like to do if they were in France?

D. Resources:

(2008). Countries. ABC Teach. Retrieved December 4, 2008, from http://abcteach.com/directory/researchreports/maps/countries/

(2008). France geography. InfoPlease. Retrieved December 2, 2008, from http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107517.html

(2008) Video center. How stuff works. Received December 8, 2008, from http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/19429-city-life-in-europe-the-building-of-paris- video.htm

Barrow, Mandy. (2008, April). The geography of France for children. Retrieved October 30, 3008, from http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/france.html

Hongell, Terry. (2005). France: a children’s guide. Retrieved December 1, 2008, from http://www.pocanticohills.org/france/france.htm

Kneller, Sam. (2008). France facts. Retrieved December 2, 2008 from http://bonjourlafrance.net/france-facts.htm

Mills, Ian C. (2008). French holidays and festivals. Retrieved December 2, 2008, from http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/DF_holidays.shtml

Read, P.M. (2008). World info zone. Retrieved December 2, 2008, from http://www.worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=France

Stewart, Doug. (2005). France maps and information. Received December 2, 2008, from http://www.france-property-and-information.com/map_of_france.htm