Materials

• Different types of maps
• List of information for students to identify map types

Instructional Activities

1. Review the information from the previous session.
   
   
2. With no maps displayed in the room, discuss as a class the various types of information provided on maps. Record student responses.
   
   
3. Explain that maps are designed to provide different types of information. Have the students examine examples of different types of maps (e.g., road maps, political maps, climate maps, population maps, physical maps, thematic maps) and the reasons/situations in which they would be used. Examples of many of these maps will be found in the students’ textbook.
   
   
4. As students look at examples of different types of maps, ask them to identify the types of information contained on most maps — that is, common to most of them. Responses may include symbols, color, lines, direction, and boundaries.
   
   
5. Ask students to identify information they might need a map to provide for a particular purpose. Post a list of types of thematic maps on the board or overhead. Distribute a list of information needed for students to research using a map or atlas. Instruct the students to identify, using the list of thematic maps displayed, which map would contain the specified information needed. The list of information needed may include the
   • countries that have hottest climates and highest temperatures year round
   • countries that grow wheat
   • boundaries of Europe
   • countries that share languages with England
   • population density of China
   • countries with the highest elevation
   • total annual precipitation of Brazil
   • areas with a high concentration of Spanish speakers|
   • distribution of Hinduism
   • countries that have large deposits of coal
   • countries having a gross domestic product the same as or greater than Japan’s.
   
   
6. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.