Maps and Globes Lesson: Understanding Earth’s Layout

Lesson Overview

• What is a Map?
• What is a Globe?
• Hemispheres: The Earth's Divisions
• The Equator: Dividing the Earth
• Continents vs. Oceans

Maps and globes are essential tools that help us understand the world we live in. While both are representations of Earth, they are used in different ways. Globes are three-dimensional models of the Earth, showing it in its true shape, while maps are two-dimensional, flat representations of the Earth's surface. Understanding the differences between maps and globes and how to read them is a key part of geography for young learners.

Let's go through the concepts of maps and globe, understand hemispheres and the equator, while also learning about map keys, continents, and oceans.

What is a Map?

A map is a flat, two-dimensional representation of a specific area on Earth. Maps can vary greatly depending on the area they represent. For example, a map could show an entire country, a specific city, or even a small park. Maps help us navigate and understand the physical features of the land, such as rivers, mountains, roads, and borders.

Key Features of a Map:

• Scale: Maps often include a scale that helps us understand the real-life distance between points. For example, a scale might tell us that 1 inch on the map equals 10 miles in real life.
  
• Symbols and Colors: Maps use symbols and colors to represent different features. For instance, blue is typically used to represent water (rivers, lakes, oceans), while green might represent forests or parks.
  
• Map Key (Legend): The map key is an essential part of any map. It explains what the various symbols and colors represent. Without the map key, it would be difficult to understand the features of the map. For example, a star might indicate a capital city, and a dashed line might represent a road. The map key ensures that we can read the map accurately.

What is a Globe?

A globe is a three-dimensional model of the Earth. Unlike maps, which are flat, a globe gives us a more accurate representation of the Earth's shape. It allows us to see how the continents and oceans are arranged on a round surface, much like the Earth itself. Globes are particularly helpful for understanding the size and relative positions of countries, continents, and oceans.

Key Features of a Globe:

• Spherical Shape: A globe is round, just like the Earth. This gives a more accurate picture of how the Earth looks from space. While maps distort some areas due to their flatness, a globe represents the true shape of continents and oceans.
  
• Axis and Rotation: Globes have an axis, an imaginary line that runs through the North and South Poles. The globe rotates around this axis, just like the Earth does. This feature helps to explain concepts like day and night, as different parts of the Earth are exposed to sunlight as the globe spins.
  
• Polar Regions: The poles (North and South) are easily identifiable on a globe. The globe clearly shows the extreme north and south parts of the Earth, which are difficult to understand on a flat map.

Take This Quiz:

Maps And Globes Quiz

Hemispheres: The Earth's Divisions

One of the most important concepts to understand is the idea of hemispheres. The Earth is divided into two main hemispheres: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.

• Northern Hemisphere: This half of the Earth is located above the equator. It contains most of the world's landmass, including the continents of North America, Europe, and Asia.
  
• Southern Hemisphere: This half of the Earth lies below the equator. It contains continents like South America, Africa, and Australia.

The equator is the imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is located exactly halfway between the North and South Poles. The concept of hemispheres is important for understanding weather patterns, time zones, and the relationship between landmasses.

The Equator: Dividing the Earth

The equator is a significant concept in geography. It is an imaginary line that circles the Earth, dividing it into two equal halves – the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. The equator is located halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole.

The equator is important because it helps us measure latitude, or how far north or south a location is from the equator. For example, countries near the equator tend to have warmer climates because they receive more direct sunlight year-round. It is also the reference point for measuring the distance to other locations on Earth.

Continents vs. Oceans

Understanding the difference between continents and oceans is fundamental to geography.

• Continents: A continent is a large landmass on Earth. There are seven continents on the planet: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Continents are vast and are made up of many countries. While continents are surrounded by water, they are not entirely surrounded, as they share land borders with each other.
  
• Oceans: Oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover about 71% of the Earth's surface. There are five oceans on Earth: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean. Oceans are much larger than any river or lake and are crucial for the Earth's climate and ecosystems.

One of the misconceptions second graders may have is confusing continents with oceans. It is important to clarify that continents are large landmasses, while oceans are massive bodies of water that separate these landmasses.

The Map Key: Decoding Symbols

The map key (also known as the legend) is an essential tool for reading maps. It helps explain what the various symbols, colors, and patterns on the map represent. Without the map key, it would be nearly impossible to understand what is being shown on a map.

For example, on a map of a city, the map key might show that a blue line represents a river, a red line represents a highway, and a green color represents parks. By referring to the map key, students can accurately interpret the map and understand what each symbol means.

Compass Directions: Navigating with a Map

A compass rose is a symbol used on maps and globes to indicate directions. It shows the four main cardinal directions: North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W).

In addition to these four main directions, there are also intermediate directions, which are halfway between the cardinal directions. These include:

• Northeast (NE)
• Southeast (SE)
• Southwest (SW)
• Northwest (NW)

The compass rose is important for helping students understand the orientation of a map or globe. By looking at the compass rose, students can determine which direction they are facing or moving. 

For example, if they are standing in front of a map and the compass rose shows that the top of the map represents North, they will know that all the other directions (South, East, West, etc.) follow from that reference point.

Take This Quiz:

Maps and Globes unit