Map Projections Lesson Plan: People, Places, and Environments
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This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Map Projections, and supports the standard of analyzing the purpose of map representations. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of creative projects.
Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Display a globe and a map. Ask students: When might you use a map? A globe? What’s the difference?
Step 2: BUILD BACKGROUND
- Read aloud the description on the Map Projections topic page.
- Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding.
- Have students read one of the following Related Reading articles: “Quirky Stuff” or “Myths.” Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.
Step 3: APPLY and ASSESS
Students take the Map Projections Challenge and Quiz, applying essential literacy skills while demonstrating what they learned about this topic.
Step 4: DEEPEN and EXTEND
Students express what they learned about map projections while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student needs.
- Make-a-Movie: Create a commercial for one type of map projection that advertises its advantages and uses.
- Make-a-Map: Make a concept map that compares and contrasts different types of map projections.
- Creative Coding: Code a sorting game where players determine what kind of map projection different details describe.
More to Explore
Related BrainPOP Topics: Deepen understanding of geography with these topics: Map Skills, Latitude and Longitude, and Geography Themes.
Teacher Support Resources:
- Pause Point Overview: Video tutorial showing how Pause Points actively engage students to stop, think, and express ideas.
- Learning Activities Modifications: Strategies to meet ELL and other instructional and student needs.
- Learning Activities Support: Resources for best practices using BrainPOP.
