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Lesson Overview:

This lesson is going to present information to children about Lewis and Clark and their expedition to the west.  It will teach children about maps and use specific lessons with maps that Lewis and Clark actually used and then comparing them to modern day maps and discussing the differences and the difficulties that they may have gone through.  Then I will teach them about a compass and make sure they understand how to use the cardinal directions on a map because they will create a map using graph paper and scale following my directions of making specific points after I tell them how many feet north or south to go. 

 

Preparation:

- A Picture Book of Lewis and Clark

- Maps that Lewis and Clark used

- Maps that are used today of the same terrain

- A compass

- Class set of rulers

- Graph Paper

- Overhead projector

Lesson 2: Lewis and Clark

Instruction:

  1. The class will read the story of Lewis and Clark and allow children to ask questions and discuss the expedition and introduce maps and the importance of them to the expedition.

 

  1. The students will break into groups of 4 and will be given maps of the terrain that Lewis and Clark used.  The students will discuss what they see and the difficulties that they may have gone through. 

 

  1. They then will be given a map of the same area that is used today and will compare what they see.  They will learn about the differences and the importance of the expedition by Lewis and Clark. 

 

 

  1. They will be able to see how humans and their belongings will change the terrain and what has come about from this.  They will be asked to discuss in their groups what they see and come up with 5 points to share with the class about how humans have changed the terrain.

 

  1. Next, I will provide a brief lesson on maps using the cardinal directions of north, south, east and west.  I will explain the concept of scale and teach them about how specific squares can equal a given amount of feet.

 

 6.  They will then put this to use by creating a map with a given scale of 1.25 in equals 10 feet.  I will give them directions saying to

      start at a given spot and to draw a river that is 30 feet south from the starting point.  The directions will continue and the

      students will end up with a detailed map using scale. 

 

Standards:

7.1.4.B: Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human features.

M4.B.2.1.1: Use or read a ruler (provided) to measure to the nearest 1/4-inch or centimeter.

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