Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

What is a Map? Crash Course Geography #2

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

7

Overview

From navigating a cross-country road trip (or just finding the nearest coffee shop) to analyzing election results (or the latest meme on K-pop group popularity), maps play a huge role in how we interpret the world. Today, we're going to talk about the differences between reference maps and thematic maps, take a closer look at how projections play a part in how we perceive maps, and discuss the role of the cartographer (or map maker) in all of this. Maps are incredibly powerful tools and play a crucial role in how we understand the world, but they are also made by people, so it is our job to think critically about how these stories are being presented to us.

    Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 7 - 7th Grade: Geography

    SS10.7G.1

    Describe the world in spatial terms using maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SS10.7G.1

    Vocabulary

    • spatial thinking
    • spatial relationships
    • spatial perspective
    • spatial patterns
    • spatial models
    • geospatial technologies

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Types of maps or geographic resources—reference, thematic, planimetric, topographic, globe and map projections, aerial photographs, satellite images.
    • The difference between aerial photography and satellite images and their properties for interpreting spatial patterns.
    • The uses of GIS in portraying geographic or spatial patterns and in answering geographic questions.
    • The uses of mapping technology to trace diseases through a population geographic trade patterns, governmental alliances, and immigration patterns, mental maps, cultures, urban land-use patterns, distribution and linkages of cities, migration patterns, population-density patterns, spread (diffusion) of culture traits, spread (diffusion) of contagious.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Read, analyze and interpret maps, aerial photography, satellite images, and other types of mapping technology.
    • Use mental maps.
    • Use GPS for locations.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Maps portray human and physical geographic patterns, understand the use of GPS and GIS in explaining geographic patterns, that mental maps are important in understanding cultural perceptions and the organization of cultural landscapes.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    Other

    Resource Provider other

    CrashCourse
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    CUSTOM
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