Lesson Plan III: Google Maps Map Scale

Laura Schad

Google Maps Map Scale

Date/Time: Wednesday March 18, 2015 (HALF DAY) 9:30 10:05 / 10:15 10:45
Students: 8th grade Social studies classroom at Southwark Elementary
Anticipated Time: 30/35 minutes
Goals and Objectives
Students will be able to:
Describe what the scale of a map is and how the scale affects what information that map
provides.
Have a fuller understanding of another way maps can be used [Google Maps tool bar
exploration], another format on which maps can be accessed (digital media,) and who gets to use
maps.
Describe one cool thing they discovered on Google Maps (be it a location, tool, lens, etc.)
Standards
PA Standards in Common Core History
CC.8.5.6-8.G: Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps)
with other information in print and digital texts.
PA Standard in 6-8 Band Mathematics
M7.b.2.2.1: Interpret and/or supply scales shown on maps, blueprints, models, etc.
Materials and Preparation
Computers with Google Earth software
Pencil & paper
Smartboard projection
Classroom Arrangement and Management
Arrangement: Students will be seated in pairs with all desks facing the Smartboard. Due
to the half-day schedule, students will not be asked to move around room or participate in
any group work. All students must be able to see the Smartboard so they may watch the
demonstration.
Management: Students are used to the seating arrangement that will be used on this day.
Students are also used to working on computers during class. Students will be asked to
share a computer with a partner, another typical practice in our classroom. Rules
regarding how computers should be used will be reviewed at the start of the lesson.
Students who come in late will be asked to join a group that has already begun.
Plan
Launch
Introduction: Do Now (5 min.)
What do you think the phrase Birds eye view means? Have you heard this term before? If so,
in what context? Have we seen any example of this birds eye view in our unit so far? What
examples? Students will be encouraged to think and discuss with a partner and then participate in
a brief, class-wide discussion.
Work and Explore
1

Lesson Plan III: Google Maps Map Scale

Laura Schad

Google Maps Exploration A Study of Scale (20 min.)

I will lead the students through an exploration of scale on Google Maps. Starting with the
address of Southwark Elementary, students will zoom in and then zoom out as far as they
can. Students will then be asked to change their lens to street view. Students will then zoom
in on Southwark Elementary using the street view lens. During this walk through students
should stay on-step with myself, and I will provide students to the new vocabulary for zoom
scale.
As a whole class, we will generate a list of situations when we would use street view and
satellite view. I will then ask students the following questions (to be discussed with a partner
and then shared with the class): what scale would you want to use if you were looking up an
address? What scale would you want to use if you were looking at the size of Philadelphia
compared to Trenton? What scale would you want to use if you were looking at the size of
Pennsylvania compared to Texas? What scale would you want to use if you were looking at the
size of the United States and Burma?
If time permits, have students write their own scale question (modeled after the
teachers questions) and have them switch with another group and answer.
Students will be given time to explore Google maps with their partner. The focus of this free time
will be for students to practice changing the scale of their map as well as their lens.
Reflection and Wrap-Up (5 min.)
Students will participate in a discussion or exit ticket (depending on the amount of time)
concerning the following questions: how does the scale of a map affect what information that
map provides? What is one cool thing you discovered about Google Maps?
Assessment of Goals and Objectives
Informal Assessment: Teacher Observation
Did students:
respect the materials and each other?
ask questions (directed at myself or their peers)?
change the scale of their map successfully?
alternate between street view and map view successfully?
find a map of something they find interesting?
discover how digital mediums can be used for accessing maps, not just print media?
discover a benefit of using digital as opposed to print maps?
follow directions stay with the class until free exploration time?
discuss observations on Google map regarding compass rose, map key, and scale?
Accommodations
For students who find the work too challenging: Using Google Maps can be difficult for first
timers. To combat this I have developed three tiers of assistance.
- First, I will be going through the steps on the Smartboard at the same time as the
students. This will allow students to see exactly where I am clicking, what/where I am
writing, which tools I am highlighting, etc.
- Second, I will have a handout that has written instructions on one side and a
screenshot of what the screen will look like on the other. This way students who fall
behind (or students who want to move quicker) can follow the directions either by

Lesson Plan III: Google Maps Map Scale

Laura Schad

reading or looking at the images.

Lastly, I will pair students with a partner who speaks their native language. This will
allow students to assist each other if questions arise. I will be available to provide
additional assistance, especially during the free explore time. Students can also
access the Google Ask Help page, which I will point out at the start of the lesson.

For students who find the work easy/finish early:

- I plan on students finishing before the class period is over. Students will be given time
to explore Google Maps themselves, without direct instructions. I will monitor student
computer use to make sure all students are on the correct website.