Teacher Resources

Using Maps as Primary Sources

Mapmakers, at their best, demonstrate special gifts that enable them to perceive, to frame, and to present the world in a powerful way. Once a map is drawn it becomes a cultural and political text to be read and used in various ways, possessing latent powers to inform, stimulate, provoke, and enrich readers. When students study maps, they look at the cultural, social, economic, and political messages, as well as the geographic message. They also endeavor to decipher the mapmakers code or vision. Through this process they may catch new angles of perception that can in turn spark their imaginations. In their highest function, maps deepen our understanding of the earth, its people, places, and times, and what it means for us to call the earth our home.

Integrate Lesson Plans from this Resource into your Curriculum

Use the curriculum ideas noted in the grid below to create your own unique lesson or download a free lesson plan and any of the sixteen maps by clicking on the links. Maps make great class handouts and on each map page you will find a link to a larger Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF file. Lesson plans are aligned with National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) standards.

Share your lesson plans of these maps with other educators. To have your lesson added to this website contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Helpful Hints

Find maps and facts to support your lesson at the World Atlas.

Find map and geography resources includeing state and world maps, satellite images, lesson plans, classroom activities, projects and much more for elementary, secondary, middle school, and university students at http://geology.com/teacher/map.shtml.

Download Acrobat Reader at:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.