Georgia Southwestern State University Lesson Plan Guidelines

Created by GSW School of Education

Name: Ms. Burton
Lesson Date:
Lesson Start Time:

Lesson End Time:

Classroom/Lesson Context
_X___ Whole Group _____ Small Group _____ One-on-One
__X___ Students with IEPs/504s _____ ELL Students
____ Other (Please specify: ___________________________________________________)
Please specify the number of students:
_2____ Girls _7____Boys
Learning Central Focus
Lesson Plan Title: Reading Maps
Grade Level: 3rd
Central Focus:

What is the central focus for the content in the learning segment? Students will explain
what a map is used for. Students will be able to identify different types of maps.

Content Standard:

What standard(s) are most relevant to the learning goals? CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1

Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to
the text as the basis for the answers.

Student Learning Goal(s)/ Objective(s): Students will be able to define what a map is.
Students will be able to distinguish and describe the four different types of maps and what they
are used for.
Instructional Strategies and Learning Tasks
Launch: __7________ Minutes

How will you gain attention? I will gain attention by displaying different types of maps on
the board. I would ask the class, What are these different examples of? I would wait
and give them a chance to respond. I would then tell them that these are maps. I would
define to them what a map is and what they are used for.
How will you start the lesson to engage and motivate students in learning? I would then
ask the class, What have they used a map for in the past? I would allow them to
respond. Assuming that they would give me answers such as going camping, taking a
family trip, or a make-believe treasure hunt. This question will get them engaged
because I am relating the lesson to something personal that they can connect to.
What are your rules for the lesson? Students are expected to raise their hands to
answer questions and not just blurt out answers all at the same time. Students are
expected to face forward and pay close attention to the teacher during instruction.
Students are expected to complete all class assignments with at least 70% accuracy in
order to maintain a passing grade.

Instruction: ____20______ Minutes

I would begin the lesson by defining map. A map is a picture or representation of the
Earths surface showing how things are related to each other by distance, direction, and
size. I would have students copy the definition in their Definition/ Vocabulary
Notebook. I would give them a few minutes to copy then I would continue with the
lesson. I would continue by explaining to them that there are different types of maps that
can be used. I would have examples of the different types of maps on the board such as
a road map, climate map, political map, economic/ resource map, and physical
map. I would then explain the types of maps and tell what they are used for. For ex: I
would point to the climate map. I would tell them a climate map gives general
information about the climate and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region (area).
When looking at a climate map, what types of symbols and colors indicate that this
map is related to climate? I would give them a chance to respond. I would then show
them the symbols, pointing to the specific symbols in the map such as rain, snow,
thunderstorm, windy, and sunny. I would then move on to the next map,
economic/resource map. I would then ask them to, Explain ways of why this type of
map would be considered an economic/resource map? What symbols indicate what
kind of map this is? I would give them a chance to respond. I would then explain to
them that this kind of map features the types of natural resources or economic activity
that dominates an area. Cartographers (mapmakers) use symbols to show locations of
natural resources or economic activities. For example, oranges on this map of the state
of Florida tell you that oranges are grown there. I would move on to the next type of
map by pointing to the physical map. I would explain to them that this type of map is
used to illustrate the features of an area, such as the mountains, rivers, and lakes. I
would inform them that water is usually shown in the color blue and the land is usually
shown in the colors green and brown. The next type of map is the political map. I
would point to that type of map and explain to them that this type of map does not show
the physical features of a map, instead, they indicate state and national boundaries and
capitals and major cities. I would tell them for example that a capital city is usually
marked with a star within a circle. I would point to the last type of map and ask them if
they knew what kind of map it was? I would then tell them that it is a road map. A road
map shows some major and minor highways and roads, airports, railroads, airports.
People use road maps to plan trips and for driving directions.

Closure: ___15_______ Minutes

How will you end the lesson? I would have them take out a piece of paper. I would have
them number the paper 1-4. I would then end the lesson by asking the class, I need to
go to Washington, D.C. to meet the new president of the United States. Which type of
map would I need to use? I would then give them a chance to answer on their paper. I
would then ask, Class, I am going on vacation this weekend, I want to know how the
weather will most likely be in Michigan this time of year during the winter months? I
would give them a chance to respond. Next question would be, I want to start a garden.
I want to know of the area that grows the best peaches? What type of map would be the
most helpful? I would give them a chance to respond. The last question that I would
ask would be, I need to know the capital and the largest city in the state of Texas.
Which type of map would be the most helpful? I would take up this mini-test to see how
the class responded. After they have completed their mini-test, I would have them write
the different types of maps in their Definition/Vocabulary Notebook. After they have
completed this, I would assign their homework. I would have them write a two
paragraph report on first, what a map is used for. Second, they would pick a map, define
it, and tell how and why they would use that type of map to help them.

Assessments

Describe the tools/procedures that will be used in this lesson to monitor students
learning of the lesson objective(s). Attach a copy of the assessment and the evaluation
criteria/rubric in the resources section at the end of the lesson plan.

Type of
assessment
(Informal or
Formal)

Informal
assessment

Description of
assessment

I would assess the

students by asking
the students
questions closing
out the lesson. I
would give the
students situational
questions and I
would then have
them to tell me
which type of map
would be the best

Modifications to the
assessment so that all
students could
demonstrate their
learning.

For modifications, I would

have pictures of the
different types of maps
printed on a page. I would
just have them to label the
different types of maps.

Evaluation Criteria
What evidence of student learning
(related to the learning objectives and
central focus) does the assessment
provide?

By giving the students

situational questions and
having them tell the type of
map to be used allows me to
recognize whether they
have understood the types
of maps and their purposes.
The students will be able to
identify the different types of
maps, and what they are
used for.

one to use.