E Pluribus Unum:  From Many, One

Grade 2

Strand:  Geography

 

Overarching Question: How do maps and globes help us understand our families and our world?

 

 

Essential Questions:

 

¨        What is included when making a map?

¨        What are some differences between a continent and a country?

¨        Where did our ancestors come from?

 

 

Enduring Understandings

 

MA History/ Social  Studies

Framework (2003)

Assessments/Learning Experiences

 

Maps and globes can help us learn about the world.

 

There are specific features of a map or globe that help us understand physical space (title, legend, symbols, and compass rose).

 

The United States is a country made up of people from different continents, regions, and countries

 

There are differences and similarities between maps and globes.

 

A map is a drawing that represents geographic space.

 

Maps can be used to locate land and water features.

 

There are seven continents and four oceans in the world.

 

A continent is a large area of land that can contain several countries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Standards:

 

Read maps and globes and follow historical narratives using them.

 

On a map of the world, locate all of the continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.

 

Locate the current boundaries of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

 

Locate the oceans of the world: the Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans. Locate five major rivers in the world; the Mississippi, Amazon, Volga, Yangtze, and Nile.

 

Locate major mountains or mountain ranges in the world such as the Andes, Alps, Himalayas, Mt. Everest, Mt. McKinley, and the Rocky Mountains.

 

Explain the difference between a continent and a country and give examples of each.

 

With the help of the school librarian, identify and describe well-known sites, events, or landmarks in at least three different countries from which students’ families come and explain why they are important.

 

Sample Assessments

 

Solve various mapping exercises;  using map symbols, locations, directions, etc. to problem solve,  (eg determining direction and route from point A to point B)

 

Pre and post test.  Draw a map of the world, your town, your school, etc before and after instruction, or at various points in the school year.

 

Identify four seasons through various types of physical  evidence or clues (eg, tree, animal behavior, person’s dress.)  Compare the above in the North and South.

 

Locate the seven continents and four oceans on a map or globe.


Locate the current boundaries of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

 

Explain the difference between a continent and a country and give examples of each.

 

Sample Learning Experiences