Social Studies

Maps ETC

— Florida’s Educational Technology Clearinghouse

5-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://etc.usf.edu/maps/index.htm Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site offers over 5000 maps from various times throughout history and includes ALL continents and many individual countries. With the advent of satellite technology, it’s simple to get a current map of any area on the globe, sometimes down to the street level. What’s more challenging is getting digital copies of historical maps, larger political maps, or reproducible maps. Maps ETC gives you access to maps of the world, browsible by continent. Maps ETC includes current maps, but most importantly, historical maps. Want a map of 19th century pre-colonial Africa? It’s here. A pre-Civil War US trade and migration map? Got that too. The site is easily searched by gallery or by entire database.rn

rnMaps are also available in PDF format so you can download and print for classroom use. Note however, the very specific terms of the license under which these maps are available. A limit of 25 maps can be used in a single project without special permission, and a link to Florida’s ETC must be included when maps are used on websites. The license is clearly spelled out and would also serve as a good exemplar to use with students to teach them how to credit the resources they find on the internet.

In the Classroom

Each of the maps is available as a GIF or JPEG file to use on an interactive whiteboard (or projector), or to insert in a document or website. Use this site for nearly any historical research project. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here.

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Tag(s): maps,

World Mapper

— Various Professors from University of Sheffield & Michigan

4-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.worldmapper.org/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest. There are nearly 700 maps. Maps 1-366 are also available as PDF posters. Use the menu bar at the top to find a map of interest. There is also a series of maps on the visualization of the world’s population using a new mapping technique: Worldmapper Population Atlas. Be aware: parts of this site open slowly.

In the Classroom

Geography and history teachers will enjoy this site. Use this site as a learning center during a unit on maps, or a unit on something like poverty or religions (there are many more categories), or a specific time period mentioned within your studies. Many of the maps within categories have pie graphs. Challenge groups of students to use the maps for research projects and create multimedia presentations such as a video using a site such as SchoolTube (reviewed here).

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Tag(s): politics, maps,

Student Produced Video Field Trips

— TeachersFirst

3-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/vft Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

What is a student created video field trip? Simply put, it is an experience where a group of students goes to a site to shoot video, interviews, etc. and streams the video (live and archived) to students, parents, and others unable to attend in person. TeachersFirst shares this how-to and why-to so you and your students will try it. Expand each point within these pages to learn what to do in detail---and skip the steps you already know or that don’t apply!

In the Classroom

Read through the step by step and get started! TeachersFirst offers all the practical advice you need to try this 21st century approach to real world learning.

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Tag(s): video,

US Geography Map Games

— Shepard Software

1-7 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site contains several interactive geography activities. Interactives are broken down into the categories of Capitals, States, and Landscapes. Each of those categories has several levels that are guaranteed to challenge all learners.

In the Classroom

This site can be used in many ways. Use the tutorials on an interactive whiteboard or projector with the whole group to introduce the site. When using as a whole group, provide students with a map so everyone can participate in the activity. The site can then be used as a center, for individual work in a computer lab or can be assigned as a challenge activity for advanced learners. If your students are learning the regions of the United States, state capitals, state locations, or landforms, be sure to list this link on your class website for students to access both in and out of the classroom. There are some ads but they are not overwhelming.

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Tag(s): states, maps, map skills, landforms, capitals,

Historic Maps in K-12 Classrooms

— The Newberry Library

-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.newberry.org/K12maps/module_index/index.html Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site has 18 maps with coordinated lesson plans that are designed to help the K-12 student improve their map reading skills. Using historical maps, students learn about history and how geography has influenced that history. Sample themes include "Environmental History," "The Historical Geography of Transportation," "Political and Military History," and a few others. The themes each have lesson plans by grade level. Some parts of this site use Flash that is no longer supported, however, much of the information is still accessible and relevant for classroom use.

In the Classroom

In addition to using the provided lesson plans, use this site on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. Use the whiteboard tools to highlight special features of the map. Print out the maps and have students label them with the provided vocabulary words. Use a drawing program like KidPix and have students create their own "historical" maps based on their own lives. Use the additional photos from the resource section and have students create an interactive online poster using Genial.ly, reviewed here about why their map is significant to history.

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Tag(s): primary sources, maps, critical thinking,

Owl & Mouse Online Interactive Maps

— Owl & Mouse Educational Software

1-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.yourchildlearns.com/online-interactive-maps.htm Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site includes interactive maps for students to see and learn about countries and continents. There are maps for all the continents except Antarctica. The site also lets you show or hide names. If you choose to hide names, clicking on each country will provide you with the country name and it’s capital. Be aware: there are some minor google advertisements at this website.

In the Classroom

Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge of countries, states, and capitals. The site also provides printable maps so you can have students write the names of countries, etc and then use the interactive map to self check. In addition, since it is a blank map, teachers can use the pens from their interactive whiteboard to draw in other physical features like rivers or mountain ranges.

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Tag(s): continents, maps, continents, maps,

Math Maps

— Tom Barrett

-5 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://edte.ch/blog/maths-maps/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site is an interactive, collaborative project that uses Google maps with you and your students to provide content. You can also see Math maps created by others. By following the directions, you can create math problems utilizing information from your own city or town. Once the math problems are posted on the map, you can tweet or blog to inform others about them. In addition to creating problems, your students can view the contributions of others and solve real world math problems. Be aware: pop-up messages do appear across the bottom of the screen. These messages are recent posts to the site. Teachers who wish to contribute must submit a Gmail address to be offered access to add their own “Maths Maps.” (Note to U.S. educators and students: What you know as “math” is known as “maths” in the UK, Australia, and some other countries. The “s” is NOT a typo!)

In the Classroom

What makes this site special is that the content comes directly from educators and students. Use the existing math problems as a challenge activity or to demonstrate how math can be used in the real world. Share the maps and math questions on your interactive whiteboard or projector. The different pin colors represent different age groups so you can choose appropriately leveled math problems. You can easily differentiate for individuals by telling them which color to explore. This site is a great way to get your students to learn more about their community. Have your students research a community spot and create a math problem about it as a class. Enter the information onto the map together or under teacher supervision for other classes all over the world to use. Allow students to explore on their own and keep a math log of all the problems they found and solved on a "trip around the world with math."

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Tag(s): map skills, maps, measurement, map skills, maps, measurement,

Teacher Training Videos

— Russell Stannard

-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.teachertrainingvideos.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Become a technology expert by learning from the best. View screencasts of great training videos for teachers. Find content to support in a variety of subject areas with tutorials and "how to" for a variety of sites. Subscribe to newsletters to receive updates of newly produced videos. Find "how to" videos of web 2.0 tools such as wikis, blogs, and other more complicated tools by clicking on "Web 2.0/ICT Videos."

In the Classroom

Use the links on the left hand side to find videos on how to use some of the most popular and useful classroom sites around. Find something of use in the vast array available for viewing. The screencasts of the web 2.0 sites offer step by step instructions to help novice and intermediate users in their use in the classroom. Videos are organized into topics with multiple tools showcased in the segment. Find quick videos at the bottom of the page which highlight just one tool. Even teachers of very young students will find many of the tools explained helpful for their own use in creating learning materials, centers, etc.

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Tag(s): spelling, tutorials, vocabulary, professional development,

Wisemapping

— Wisemapping Corporation

7-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.wisemapping.com Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Create a free diagram (concept map, graphic organizer) to represent words, ideas, or tasks to aid in studying, organizing, or problem solving. Link documents to a wise map and share or embed diagrams with other maps.

In the Classroom

Users must be able to navigate the icons for editing and creating a mindmap. Icons and commands are the same as in any office and free applications that most people use. View the free demo for an introduction of using Wisemapping. Use the demo editor to play with the tools and learn what they do. Note: the demo function does not allow you to save your creation as it is a sandbox area for learning. Allow students an opportunity to learn to play first without teacher direction as each person will find different ways to use wisemapping for their best benefit. Click on a set of words to edit the words, color, font, etc. in the bubble. Drag items easily around the screen by clicking and dragging the icon to drop into a new configuration. Add "icons" and flags anywhere on your mindmap. Add a "note" to a bubble anywhere. The note appears like a little sticky note on the bubble and expands when clicked on. Add a "link" to any of the text on the wisemap that leads to any link on the web you specify. Export as a scalable vector graphic (svg), PDF document, or image file. "Share" to work collaboratively with others. Users must have a login in order to share and publish. Click on the "history" of a wisemap to view the contributions of others. rn

rnAssign sections of current curriculum topic to groups of students to map out and explain in detail. Link to outside web pages and pictures and create notes with additional study hints and information. Assign a different group to review information for accuracy and add additional information and explanations. Using this process, a wisemap of a chapter or unit can be created easily and efficiently while benefiting all learners.

rnThere are countless possibilities at this mental mapping site. Demonstrate the activity on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and then allow students to try to create their own graphic organizers. Use this site for literature activities, research projects, social studies, or science topics of study. Use this site to create family trees. Have students collaborate together (online) to create group mind maps or review charts before tests on a given topic. Have students organize any concepts you study; color-code concepts to show what they understand, wonder, question; map out a story, plotline, or LIFETIME; map out a step-by-step process (life cycle); map a real historical event as a choose-your-own-adventure with alternate endings based on pivotal points; plan a "tour" for a "thought museum." Use this mapping website as an alternative to a traditional test, quiz, or homework assignment in literature or social studies: have students demonstrate their understanding by completing a graphic organizer about the main points. Be sure that they RENAME it before they start work to an individual name so you know who did it (they could EMAIL it to you!) or have them print their results to turn in.

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Tag(s): concept mapping, mind map,

ScribbleMaps

— Scribble Maps

1-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.scribblemaps.com Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Use this tool to "draw" on and label any map available through Google Maps, including maps of the night sky! No registration or email required! Create a colorful, personalized map with added scribbles and labels. Add your choice of placemarker labels for geology locations, people, etc. There are even little icons available to use. Your drawing or "Scribble Map" is then available to share by URL, email, or print. Slightly more savvy users can download, save as a kml file (readable in Google Maps or Google Earth), or embed the map in another site. The tools include sharing the map on Facebook and Twitter, as well. Add images by pasting in their urls. Drawing tools include lines, circles, place pointers, text labels, and color/size/transparency controls for all tools. Place pointers can be edited by selecting them (arrow tool), then clicking the small pencil. This site does include Google Ads and all the normal controls of Google maps, including satellite, map, terrain, hybrid views and Night Sky. See a sample Scribble Map created by the TeachersFirst editors (drag the map with your mouse!). Explore the tools and MENU options at the top left when you start out. Try the different Maps views (lower right) and zoom controls. Search for a starter location using the search at the top left, just below the tools. There is no help available, but it is easy to do basic maps. Share, save, etc. by clicking Menu (top left). When you first save a map, it will ask you to create a password for that map to use to edit it later. Note that if you SAVE a map and share it by URL, those accessing it will be able to use the tools and change the map. If you want them to see it without changing it, you will need to embed it in a blog, wiki, or other web site. The map ID can be changed and customized by simply typing in your own choice of ID when you are saving the map.

In the Classroom

Students and teachers will want to keep a written record or map URLS and passwords for future reference. Model this for students so they do not lose hours of work! Teachers can prepare partially-made maps or maps for students to make corrections and changes by giving the students the URL, then having them SAVE the map with a NEW ID. To SAVE the map with a new name and URL, click "Save map" in the menu, then enter your OWN map ID. Students could use a code including their initials, such as SJ12-3-09 for a map made by Sally Jones on Dec 3, 2009. Teachers should PASSWORD protect their originals so changes can only be saved under a new name. Similarly, if a student saves the map with a map password, they don’t have to worry about other students vandalizing their work. But they DO need to remember the password! Wise teachers will keep a class list of maps and passwords for forgetful students! In primary grades, make maps of your local community together on your interactive whiteboard as you teach basic map skills. Create your own "key" with symbols you choose for playgrounds, etc. Have students help map locations of favorite playgrounds, grandparents’ houses, stores, etc. as they gain basic understanding of map skills. Make sure you allow students to operate the tools! Save the map and share it as a link from your class web site (or embed it there). Keep names generic so it is "safe." Other ideas to challenge gifted student beyond the curriculum or elevate challenge for small groups include: natural resource maps, immigration maps, maps of civil war battles day by day, maps of key sites in the life of a famous person, artist, or author, maps of the settings in a novel, landform maps of a continent or state, "My life" maps of places important to an elementary student’s family, annotated watershed maps of pollution sources, maps of the water cycle, maps of constellations in the night sky created by students to demonstrate understanding, maps of a dream community to be built in a vacant area (desert), including the water sources, etc. that will be needed, maps of a redesigned city/town on top of its current map. Teachers can provide map challenges or templates to be completed or corrected, including maps where students must label distances and cardinal directions between points (using map scale and skills). Or provide a teacher-created map with labels in the wrong places for students to correct the landforms, resources, etc. What will YOU do with Scribble Maps?

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Tag(s): directions, geology, landforms, space, map skills, maps, landmarks,