Maps

No matter what grade you are teaching, maps help students visualize places and their topographical features. The first grade social studies lessons focus on identifying the continents, whereas, second grade lessons introduce students to the different states. Putting the cart before the horse, this post will concentrate on general maps to use as reference. Several future posts will look at how to practice and reinforce the objectives of the lessons.

Software

Google Earth: This free download will let you explore the earth, its oceans, and its sky and easily find a location. If there are specific places that could be visited as a class, it is possible to create placemarks, which are essentially shortcuts to that location. These can be combined to create a “tour” to easily facilitate the process of moving from one location to another on the earth. Even though the application can be downloaded directly to your PC, Mac, or Linux computer, it still requires an internet connection.

Websites

Google Maps: This one website could be all you really need. Besides the basic map view, it can display satellite imagery, street views, current traffic conditions, the weather, live feeds from webcams, user uploaded pictures, and much more. If there are specific places to visit as a class, a custom map can be created that can be shared with other users or kept private. The custom maps can include place marks, descriptions, pictures, and videos.

Scribble Maps: Take Google Maps one step further with this website which allows users to “scribble” on traditional street or satellite maps by adding lines, shapes, text, and placemarkers. The most amazing part is that the additions to the map stay exactly where placed even when the map is moved or zoomed in or out.

Stratalogica: This is a subscription website that my district currently uses. It is similar in many respects to Google Earth, however, it makes sharing tours or specific trips easier. One teacher can create a tour and other teachers can access it just by logging into their accounts.

Outline Maps: These are basic maps that can be printed or annotated while using an interactive whiteboard. Maps are available with or without labels.

Mapping – National Geographic Education: 1-Page Maps start full of information and can be customized to remove features like labels, grid lines, and rivers.  Under MapMaker Kits, various maps have been formatted to allow them to be printed out over many pages making them bulletin board size.

iPad Apps

Maps: iPads come with this app preloaded. It is an app version of Google Maps, but it does not allow for the viewing or creation of custom maps.

Google Earth: This is very similar to the Maps app that comes preinstalled on the iPads. The app version does not provide access to street views or user uploaded pictures and videos.  However, this app provides a 3D experience and smoother scrolling. (Free)

Sphere - 360 Photography: Access a huge collection of user uploaded 3-D panoramic views of specific locations called tours. Each tour places you in a specific location. You literally move the iPad to look left and right as well as up and down. The database is searchable by categories such as “Points of Interest” or “Arts and Entertainment.” Also, tours can be found on the map by zooming and moving it around. Tours can also be created to fill in where they are lacking. (Free)

 

Stuck on Earth – Free World Travel Guide: Either search for a location or zoom in on the map to find high quality photographs from in and around that location. (Free)

Commander Compass Lite: Help students get their bearings by understanding a map’s compass rose. Through this active compass, students can figure out the direction they are facing. (Free)