Creator: appspot.com | visit site
Grade Range: 4 - 11
MapFight is a clever tool for comparing the physical area of different countries and states. Use the dropdown boxes to select from countries and states available and then click compare. View an image with the two locations overlaid on each other with a short sentence comparing the sizes in kilometers. If you click on the name of the state or country you will be taken to a Wikipedia entry about the location.
In the Classroom
MapFight is perfect for use on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use to demonstrate size differences in states and countries. Have students use this site when presenting state reports. Find a similar sized state (or country), then use the map as part of the presentation. Have a new student from another state or country? Use MapFight to begin discussion of comparative size of where they came from to where your classroom is located. Use this to give students a perspective on geographic size of earth features that they can’t see by looking at a standard map. Use to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of states. This tool would be especially important when explaining the concept of map scale or square miles/meters. Use MapFight to compare locations students read about in Globetracker’s Mission or books they are reading. Include it in discussions about the impact of a country’s size on its culture in world language or cultures classes. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Venngage reviewed here. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here) to compare any two locations.
At Home
Share MapFight with your student to help him understand differences in area of states or countries. Traveling to a different state or country? Compare your home state (or country) to the size of your vacation destination.
Tags
area, countries, states, maps, map skills,