Kerri's+map+lesson+plan

Map Lesson Plan 3rd/4th Grade Level Social Studies with Language Arts connections

[] (Go to the later than 1895 section and look for the 1898 Walling Atlas of Ohio Counties of Hardin,Logan, Auglaize, Shelby, Allen, Van Wert, and Mercer link.)
 * Discuss continents, country, state, county, city (or town and village) with the order of continents being largest, and city being the smallest. Question students-Can they name all of those that they live in? (North America, United States of America, Ohio, Shelby, Botkins.)
 * Students are to view map from 1898 of 7 counties. As class discuss the map as a whole.
 * In 7 groups- each group is to discuss one county on map, so all 7 are discussed.
 * As class, compare, contrast, and discuss the counties on the map, paying close attention to Auglaize and Shelby counties.
 * In the 7 groups again, look at a phone book with map of the county (or other map of county if not in phone book) that was discussed earlier
 * As class, discuss the differences and similarities found in both maps.
 * In the 7 groups, using the 1898 map, have them write in the names of the 7 counties on the blank map of Ohio with the county lines on it. They will have to use them 1898 map and look at the shape of the counties and their own prior knowledge of where our county and town are located in Ohio.
 * Check answers using the map of Ohio with the 88 counties listed on it.
 * Give quiz where students are to rank continent, country, state, county, and city #1-5 by size from smallest to biggest

Kerri, I grew up in Summit county in OH and I remember studying counties in 4th grade back then. But all I recall about it is having to memorize the 88 counties. I can't imagine that we had to know them all at the same time, but I remember coloring the blank map and adding the county names during a test. Your lesson would be much more fun and certainly more meaningful. I especially like that you brought out the phone book, something all the students would be familiar with. (Susan F)

Kerry,

Wonderful lesson plan! All the activities are very ae appropriate, and very hands-on. I'm sure they would really enjoy looking at the maps, and I agree with Susan, by using the phone book.

Meissa