Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Cartographic Scales

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is crucial for directing and focusing the lesson. By clearly establishing what is expected to be achieved, students can better guide their prior study and participation in class. In this case, the goal is that by the end of the lesson, students will be able to apply and justify the use of cartographic scales in different geographical contexts, as well as read and interpret maps effectively, integrating knowledge from mathematics and geography.

Main Objectives:

1. Enable students to understand and apply cartographic scales, identifying their different representations and uses in maps.

2. Develop the ability to read and interpret maps, highlighting the importance of geographic location, borders, and time zones.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage critical thinking by analyzing how different scales influence the perception of distances and areas on maps.

Introduction

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

The Introduction serves to engage students with the lesson's theme, using problem situations that stimulate reflection and application of previously studied concepts. Additionally, by contextualizing the relevance of cartographic scales with real and historical examples, students can see the connection between theory and practice, increasing interest and understanding of the subject.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you found an old map in your school's library. This map shows the city as it was 100 years ago. How could you use a scale to determine the actual distances of the streets and buildings represented on the map?

2. Consider that you are an explorer on an unknown island. Your equipment has broken, and you need to send the exact coordinates of your location for a new rescue. How can the scales on a map help identify these precise coordinates?

Contextualization

Cartographic scales are not just useful tools for geographers and cartographers, but they also play a vital role in everyday situations. For example, when planning a trip, we use maps to calculate distances and routes; governments use maps for urban planning and land management. Even in historical events, such as border demarcation or crisis management, the correct use of scales is essential. This practical application helps understand the importance of scales in representing the world.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development section is designed for students to practically and engagingly apply the concepts studied about cartographic scales. Through fun and challenging activities, students will have the opportunity to consolidate their understanding and practical map reading and usage skills, time zones, and borders. This approach not only reinforces learning but also stimulates collaboration and critical thinking.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Lost Scales Challenge

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge of cartographic scales to reconstruct a damaged map, developing estimation and proportion skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will be challenged to 'reconstruct' a map of a part of the city that has been damaged, losing the scales. Each group will receive a map without scales, but with some references like landmarks, main streets, and green areas. The objective is to use relative scale and proportion techniques to estimate distances and redraw the scales on the map.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the damaged maps to each group and a list of landmarks with their actual distances.

• Explain the concept of relative scale and proportion, showing simple examples.

• Students should use the references and proportions to estimate and draw the scales on the map.

• Each group will present their 'reconstructed' map, explaining the techniques used and the scales determined.

Activity 2 - Geographic Treasure Hunt

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Use scales for navigation and calculation of actual distances in a game context, promoting practical and quick understanding of scales.

- Description: Students will participate in a treasure hunt within the school, using maps with scales. Each group will receive a map indicating the location of 'treasures' scattered around the school. They will need to calculate the actual distances and use the scales to plan the most efficient route, considering obstacles and terrain features.

- Instructions:

• Prepare the school grounds in advance with hidden 'treasures'.

• Divide the students into groups and provide each group with a map of the area without the scale.

• Explain how to calculate actual distances from a scale.

• Students must calculate the distances on the map, find the 'treasures', and plan a return route, considering the scale and terrain conditions.

• The first group to find all 'treasures' and return to the classroom wins.

Activity 3 - Miniature City Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand and apply scales for the construction of miniature models, promoting understanding of spatial relationships at different scales.

- Description: Students will design and build miniature models of parts of a city, including buildings, streets, and parks, in scale. The task will involve using scales to ensure that proportions are respected, allowing comparison of the miniatures with a real map of the city.

- Instructions:

• Provide materials such as cardboard, glue, scissors, and a ruler, as well as satellite images or real maps of the city.

• Instruct students on how to convert real measurements into miniature scales.

• Each group chooses a part of the city to reproduce, such as a neighborhood or industrial area.

• Students must design and construct the miniatures, ensuring that the scales are correct.

• In the end, each group presents its miniature and compares it with the real map, discussing the difficulties encountered and the scales used.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this lesson stage is to allow students to articulate what they have learned and reflect on the application of cartographic scale concepts in practical situations. The group discussion helps consolidate knowledge, allows for the exchange of ideas and strategies among students, and promotes a greater understanding of the topic. Additionally, this stage helps the teacher evaluate the students' understanding and the effectiveness of the activities conducted.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion by asking each group to share their discoveries and challenges faced during the activities. Suggest they use the following questions as a guide: 'How did the scales help you solve the proposed problems?'; 'Was there any situation where the scale was unclear, and how did you overcome that?'; 'What did you learn about the importance of scales in maps and everyday life?' Encourage students to make connections between the activities carried out and real situations or other disciplines.

Key Questions

1. How do scales influence the perception of distances and areas on a map?

2. What are the challenges of working with scales in real situations, such as planning a trip or solving a location problem?

3. How can the understanding of cartographic scales be applied in other fields of knowledge or in everyday life?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion is to consolidate the knowledge acquired during the lesson, integrating theoretical concepts with the practical activities conducted. This stage allows students to review and reinforce their understanding of the content, as well as highlight the relevance of cartographic scales in daily life. It also serves to ensure that students can apply what they learned in real contexts, reinforcing the interdisciplinarity between geography and mathematics.

Summary

To close the lesson, the teacher should summarize the main points covered, reinforcing the understanding of cartographic scales and their applicability in maps and everyday situations. It is important to recap how scales provide a proportional and relative representation of distances and areas in different geographical contexts, such as in navigation, urban planning, and land management.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was established through activities simulating real situations, such as the reconstruction of damaged maps and the treasure hunt. These activities not only reinforced theoretical learning about cartographic scales but also demonstrated their applicability in practical contexts, showing how theory is essential for solving practical problems.

Closing

Understanding cartographic scales is crucial not only for geographers and cartographers but for anyone who uses maps in everyday life, whether to plan trips, understand territories, or resolve location issues. The ability to interpret and apply scales allows for a more effective and accurate reading of maps, facilitating countless everyday and professional activities.