Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understanding Maps: Students should be able to analyze and interpret the information presented on a map. This includes identifying symbols, colors, lines, contours, and legends.

2. Map Reading: Students should be able to read and understand the meaning of different types of maps, such as topographic, political, and climatic maps. They should also be able to locate and identify places, borders, physical features, and elements of the climate.

3. Connecting Theory and Practice: Through practical activities and classroom discussions, students should be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired about map reading. This includes the ability to use maps to solve geographical problems and to better understand the world around them.

Secondary Objectives:

• Development of Spatial Thinking Skills: Map reading helps develop spatial thinking skills, which are essential for understanding many other geographical concepts. Students should be able to think in terms of spatial relationships and orient themselves in a geographic space.

• Development of Research Skills: Map reading involves searching for information and identifying reliable sources. Students should be able to use these research skills to find and interpret maps relevant to their studies.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Previous Content: The teacher should start the lesson by reviewing the basic concepts of cartography, such as the representation of geographic space on a map, the importance of symbols and legends, and the difference between maps and globes. This can be done through a brief classroom discussion or a quick slide review. (3 - 5 minutes)

2. Problem Situation: Next, the teacher should present two problem situations that will pique the students' interest:

   • Situation 1: "Imagine you are planning a car trip from your city to the state capital. How would you use a map to plan your route and identify the main cities and roads along the way?"

   • Situation 2: "Suppose you are studying the biodiversity of a region and have access to a topographic map of the area. How would you use this map to identify the different elevations of the terrain and how they affect the distribution of species?" (5 - 7 minutes)

3. Contextualization of the Subject's Importance: The teacher should then explain the importance of map reading in everyday life, highlighting how this skill can be useful in various situations, from GPS navigation to understanding news and reports that use maps to illustrate geographical information. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Introduction to the Topic: To introduce the topic in an engaging way, the teacher can share some curiosities or stories related to map reading:

   • Curiosity 1: "Did you know that the oldest map in the world, known as the Tabula Rogeriana, was created by Muhammad al-Idrisi in 1154? He drew a map of the world based on information from travelers and merchants from different cultures and regions."

   • Curiosity 2: "Did you know that the ability to read maps is considered one of the fundamental skills for children's development? Studies show that map reading helps develop spatial thinking, understanding of directions, and problem-solving skills." (5 - 7 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Theory Presentation (10 - 12 minutes): The teacher should explain the essential theoretical concepts about map reading. This includes:

   • Types of Maps: The teacher should present the different types of maps, such as topographic, political, climatic, and thematic maps. The purpose of each type and the elements that compose each one should be briefly explained.

   • Symbols and Legends: The teacher should explain the importance of symbols and legends on a map. It should be emphasized that symbols are used to represent different features of the geographic space, such as rivers, mountains, roads, cities, etc. Correct interpretation of symbols is crucial for effective map reading.

   • Geographic Coordinates: The teacher should introduce the concept of geographic coordinates and explain how they are used to locate precise points on the Earth's surface.

   • Scale: The teacher should explain the concept of scale on a map. It should be clarified that the scale indicates the ratio between distances on the map and actual distances on Earth. Students should learn to use the scale to determine the actual distances between points on a map.

2. Guided Practice (10 - 12 minutes): After the theory presentation, the teacher should guide the students in a practice session. This can be done through the analysis of real maps or interactive online activities. Students should be guided to identify the different elements of the map and interpret the information presented.

   • Activity 1: City Map - The teacher can provide students with a map of a city and ask them to locate and identify different locations, such as schools, hospitals, parks, etc. Students may also be asked to use the map's scale to determine distances between locations.

   • Activity 2: Topographic Map - The teacher can present students with a topographic map of a region and ask them to identify the different elevations of the terrain and how they affect the distribution of species.

   • Activity 3: Political Map - The teacher can use a political map to discuss borders between countries, states, or provinces, and cities. Students should be invited to identify and discuss the political and social characteristics that can be inferred from the map.

3. Discussion (3 - 5 minutes): After the guided practice, the teacher should lead a classroom discussion to clarify any remaining doubts and reinforce the concepts learned. Students should be encouraged to ask questions and share their observations and reflections on map reading. The teacher may also ask students to relate what they have learned to the problem situations presented in the lesson's Introduction.

Return (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Review of Contents (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher should start the Return stage by reviewing the main concepts covered during the lesson. The goal is to ensure that students have understood and retained the essential information. This can be done through direct questions to students, encouraging the active participation of everyone. Some topics that can be addressed are:

   • Types of maps and their distinct characteristics.
   • The role of symbols, legends, geographic coordinates, and scale in map reading.
   • How to use a map to locate and identify places, borders, physical features, and elements of the climate.

2. Connecting Theory with Practice (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should then emphasize the connection between the presented theory and the practical activities carried out. This can be done through concrete examples. For instance, the teacher can recall the "City Map" activity and highlight how the concepts of scale and symbols were applied to locate and identify different locations on the map. The goal is to demonstrate to students the relevance of what they have learned and how they can apply these skills in the real world.

3. Reflection on Practical Applications (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should encourage students to reflect on the importance of map reading in their daily lives. Some discussion points may include:

   • How can the ability to read maps help them navigate in a new place?
   • How can map reading be useful in travel, route planning, or exploring new locations?
   • How can map reading help better understand news and reports that use maps to illustrate geographical information?

4. Teacher Feedback (1 minute): Finally, the teacher should provide overall feedback on the class's participation and performance during the lesson. This may include praise for effort and acquisition of new knowledge, as well as suggestions for improvement in future lessons. The goal is to encourage students to continue striving and actively engaging in learning.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary of Contents (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should recap the main points covered during the lesson, reinforcing the concepts of map reading, types of maps, symbols and legends, geographic coordinates, and scale. This summary helps consolidate the knowledge acquired by students and remind them of the main skills developed.

2. Connection between Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should highlight how the lesson combined theory, practice, and applications of map reading. This can be done by recalling the practical activities carried out and showing how the theoretical concepts were applied in practice. Additionally, the teacher should emphasize the practical applications of map reading, such as navigation skills, route planning, understanding geographical news, among others.

3. Supplementary Materials (1 minute): The teacher should suggest additional study materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of map reading. This may include geography books, educational websites, explanatory videos, interactive map games, among others. The teacher may also recommend regular practice of map reading as an effective way to enhance this skill.

4. Relevance of the Subject (1 minute): Lastly, the teacher should emphasize the importance of map reading in everyday life. It should be highlighted that this skill is not only useful for geographers or travelers, but for everyone, regardless of profession. Map reading helps develop spatial thinking, problem-solving skills, understanding of directions, and appreciation of the geographical diversity of the world. Therefore, it is a valuable skill that can benefit students in different aspects of their lives.