Unit 1 - Lesson 2: What Can A Map Tell Us?

Big Ideas of the Lesson

Maps are representations of places. A map is not the place.
One difficulty with maps is that they try to represent a three dimensional object in a
two dimensional plane.

People who create maps select and organize the features of place to include in their
maps.

Peoples purposes, knowledge, and perspective (or point of view) shape their maps.

Maps of the ancient world reflect the cartographers purposes, knowledge, and
perspective (or point of view).

Lesson Abstract:
In this lesson, students revisit the different projections cartographers have devised to address the
problem of representing a three-dimensional object in a two-dimensional medium. Next, they
consider three ancient maps of the same place and compare them. Students learn that just as their
own maps of the school differed, these cartographers created different maps of the same place.
Students explore how knowledge, purpose, and perspective shape how people create accounts or
representations of a place.
Content Expectations: 7 H1.2.3
Common Core State Standards: WHST.6-8.10