Mapping a New Island Nation
by Robyn Prochazka
September 22, 2006
Attention: A new island nation has been discovered!!
The 5th and 6th grade Social Studies students have been given the awesome task of becoming amateur cartographers and will be trying their hand at mapping out this new island. As a culminating map skills activity, the students will be developing different kinds of maps for this island. They will be asked to give the island a name, decide on the size and the location of the island, and research nearby islands or land to determine the climate and products for that area. With this information, pairs of students will be developing 3-D elevation maps, a political map with its capital, major cities, lakes and rivers, a product map featuring the products that can be found or produced on the island, and a climate map that will show the amount of precipitation. Becoming amateur cartographers will give the students a chance to use what they have learned in a hands-on way. Stay tuned for future news reports about these islands.
