Interactive Maps

Students will:

• Be able to use the National Geographic mapmaker website. 
• Be able to use the drawing tools. 
• Be able to customize the map. 
• Be able to save a customized map. 

Vocabulary Words:

1. Basemap: A basemap is a map depicting background reference information such as landforms, roads, landmarks, and political boundaries, onto which other thematic information is placed. 
2.  Layers: Layers generally reflect collections of objects that you add on top of the map to designate a common association. For example, you can put color-coded restaurants on one layer and coffee shops on another.

To prepare for this lesson:

• Go to the National Geographic Mapmaker Interactive website. 
   
• Look at the various tools and go through the Help Menu on the site. 
   
• Most likely the students should use the Streets or Topo Basemap to customize their map of the United States.
   
• Watch MapMaker Interactive Tutorial 1: Basemaps video.  
   
• Watch An Overview of National Geographic's Map Maker Interactive video. 
   
• The teacher will decide if students will use information from their textbooks or conduct a research project to find information to map. Use a site like KidRex or use Google's Advanced search and turn on the safe search feature. 

See Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

1. The teacher will assign the students a research project or have the students use the information in their textbook. 
2. The students will go to National Geographic Mapmaker Interactive.  
3. The teacher will demonstrate how to use the NatGeo Mapmaker or show one of the videos from above in Pre-Planning. 
4. The students will use either the Topo or Street Basemap for their customized map. 
5. The students will use the drawing tools, text, etc to customize the map to demonstrate knowledge of what they have learned or researched in history class. 
6. The students will add photos, videos, and descriptions to features on the map. Simply add a feature (a line, rectangle, circle, polygon, or marker) to the map, open the Editing Palette, and select the “Link” panel to add a title, image, video, or description. 
7. The students will save the map by navigating to the Save icon. MapMaker will send two links to the map, one that allows you to update and edit the map at a later time and another that creates a “read-only” version that can be shared with family and friends.

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding
• Create a rubric for the map that will assess the features you would like the students to include on the map.