Log In

Lesson plan of Maps: Satellites and Photographs

Geography

Original Teachy

Maps: Satellites and Photographs

Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

  1. Understanding the Concept of Map: Students should be able to understand what a map is and what it is used for. They will learn that a map is a visual representation of a location, a region, or even the entire world. They should also understand that maps are used to help us understand where things are and how to get to them.

  2. Differentiation between Satellite Maps and Photographs: Students should be able to distinguish between a satellite map and a photograph. They will learn that a satellite map is an image of space taken by a satellite and shows the Earth's surface, while a photograph is an image captured by a camera that shows the appearance of a place.

  3. Basic Use of Satellite Maps and Photographs: Students should be able to understand and use simple satellite maps and photographs to identify landmarks and features in a local environment. They will learn to identify rivers, mountains, cities, roads, and other important elements on a map.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

  1. Recalling Previous Content: The teacher will start the lesson by reminding students of what they have already learned in geography, especially about location and orientation. This can be done using concrete examples, such as asking students where the classroom is located in relation to the school or where the school is in relation to their house.

  2. Problem Situations: The teacher will present two problem situations to spark students' interest:

    • First situation: "Imagine you are on a plane ride and look out the window. What do you see? How does it compare to what you see on a city map?"
    • Second situation: "You are playing in the park and want to know where the lake is. How can you find out without having to go to the lake?"
  3. Contextualization: The teacher will explain to students that, just like the airplane window and playing in the park, maps also help us understand and know places. They will show images of different types of maps, such as city maps, Brazil maps, world maps, etc., so that students can visualize and understand the concept.

  4. Capturing Students' Attention: To introduce the topic of satellite maps and photographs, the teacher can share two curiosities:

    • First curiosity: "Did you know that the maps we use today are very different from those used in the past? Before, maps were hand-drawn and did not show the true shape of the Earth. Today, with the help of satellites, we can make much more precise and detailed maps."
    • Second curiosity: "Did you know that, thanks to satellites, we can see images of any place in the world without leaving home? Just access the internet and use a mapping program, like Google Maps, for example."

By the end of the introduction, students should have a clear understanding of the importance of maps and be curious to learn more about satellite maps and photographs.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

In this stage, students will apply the knowledge acquired to solve real problems and carry out practical activities. Three suggested activities will be proposed, from which the teacher can choose one or more to be carried out in the classroom.

  1. Activity: Treasure Map Creation

    • Divide the class into groups of 4 to 5 students and distribute to each group a "treasure kit" containing colorful objects, such as Lego pieces, building blocks, or treasure drawings.
    • Explain to the students that they are pirates and need to create a treasure map to hide the "treasure" in the school park.
    • Each group should use the objects from the "treasure kit" to create a treasure map, including park features like trees, benches, toys, etc.
    • After creating the map, the groups should exchange maps and try to find the treasure using the other group's map. This will help understand the importance and usefulness of maps.
  2. Activity: Maze Solving

    • Print or draw simple mazes on sheets of paper, with start and end points marked.
    • Divide students into small groups and distribute one maze to each group.
    • Explain that they must help the character in the maze reach the end, but they cannot use their finger or pen to trace the path. They must use the concepts of location and orientation to solve the maze.
    • Students should discuss and plan the path in the maze, considering the elements of location and orientation.
    • This activity will help students understand how maps work and how they can help us navigate in a location.
  3. Activity: Marking Points on the Map

    • Make copies of a simple local map, such as the classroom map or the school park area map.
    • Divide students into small groups and distribute one map to each group.
    • Explain that they are explorers and need to mark on the map the important points they find (such as trees, park benches, trash cans, etc.).
    • Students should walk around the environment and mark the points on the map.
    • After the activity, the groups should compare their maps and discuss the similarities and differences. This will help understand how different people can interpret and represent the same location in different ways.

The teacher should choose one of the activities (or combinations of them) and guide the students in the execution. They should move around the classroom, assisting the groups as needed and promoting discussion and idea sharing among the students. At the end of the activities, it is important for the teacher to gather the class and facilitate a discussion about the solutions found by each group, reinforcing the concepts learned.

Return (10 - 15 minutes)

  1. Group Discussion (5 - 7 minutes): The teacher will gather all students in a large circle and ask each group to share their solutions or conclusions. During this discussion, the teacher will encourage all students to participate, express their ideas, and respect their classmates' opinions. The teacher will ask targeted questions to verify if students are understanding the concepts of maps, satellite maps, photographs, and their practical application. Some examples of questions may include: "How did you use the map to find the treasure?", "How did you manage to solve the maze without touching the paper?", and "What did you find most challenging about marking the points on the map?".

  2. Connection to Theory (3 - 5 minutes): After the discussion, the teacher will make the connection between the practical activities and the theory. They will review the key concepts covered in the lesson, highlighting the meaning of maps, the difference between satellite maps and photographs, and the importance of maps in our daily lives. The teacher may ask: "How do the activities we did relate to what we learned about maps?". The goal is to make students realize that they applied theoretical concepts practically during the activities.

  3. Final Reflection (2 - 3 minutes): To conclude the lesson, the teacher will propose that students reflect on what they have learned. They will ask two simple questions and request that students think for a moment before responding. The questions may be:

    • "What did you find most interesting about maps and why?"
    • "How can you use what you learned today in your lives outside of school?"

The teacher will give a minute for students to reflect on these questions and then ask for some volunteers to share their answers. The goal of this reflection activity is to consolidate learning and help students understand the relevance of what they learned to their daily lives.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

  1. Summary and Recapitulation: The teacher will summarize the main points covered during the lesson. They will remind students about the definition of maps and their importance in location and orientation. Additionally, they will recap the difference between satellite maps and photographs, and how they are useful for understanding a location. The teacher may ask students: "Who can tell me again what a map is?" and "Who can tell me the difference between a satellite map and a photograph?".

  2. Connection between Theory and Practice: The teacher will emphasize how the practical activities carried out in the classroom helped reinforce students' theoretical understanding. They will highlight that by creating a treasure map, solving a maze without touching the paper, or marking points on the map, students applied the discussed theoretical concepts in practice. The teacher may ask students: "How did the activities we did today help us better understand maps and their applications?".

  3. Extra Materials: The teacher will suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge about maps, satellite maps, and photographs. They may recommend books, educational websites, online games, or interactive map apps. Some examples of extra materials are:

  4. Relevance of the Subject: Finally, the teacher will explain the importance of the subject studied for students' daily lives. They will emphasize that, even as children, students already use maps in various situations, such as in games, on cell phone apps, or even to reach a new place. Additionally, the teacher will mention that understanding maps is an essential skill for adulthood, as it helps navigate new environments, plan trips, and understand the world around us. The teacher may conclude the lesson by saying: "Today, you learned to use maps in a fun and practical way. I hope you use what you learned to explore the world around you and discover new things!".

Recent comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Iara Tip

IARA TIP

Are you struggling to keep students' attention in class?

On the Teachy platform, you can find a variety of materials on this topic to make your class more engaging! Games, slides, activities, videos, and much more!

Users who viewed this lesson plan also liked...

Community img

Join a community of teachers directly on WhatsApp

Connect with other teachers, receive and share materials, tips, training, and much more!

Teachy logo

We reinvent teachers' lives with artificial intelligence

Instagram LogoLinkedIn LogoTwitter LogoYoutube Logo
BR flagUS flagES flagIN flagID flagPH flagVN flagID flagID flag
FR flagMY flagur flagja flagko flagde flagbn flagID flagID flagID flag

2025 - All rights reserved

Terms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookies Notice