Teacher’s notes

What are map projections?

Part 1

Summary
Subject Geography
Age 11 to 13 year olds
Language level A2 to B1
Length of lesson 45 minutes

Content – to compare and evaluate different map projections

objectives

Language – to use long and short adjectives to compare different elements

objectives on a map

Additional – to compare and contrast, evaluate, speculate, draw

objectives conclusions
– to create and format spreadsheets, use online resources
(dictionaries, images)
– to discuss ideas, listen actively, evaluate others’ ideas,
agree and disagree

Rationale
In this lesson, learners compare map projections to see how their view of the world can
change. Learners will develop their understanding of how representing the world as a
map, and how representing a 3D object as a 2D object causes distortions. The lesson
provides a meaningful context to use comparatives and expressions of opinion such as
I think, I feel, I suppose.

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 Teacher’s notes
What are map projections? Part 1

Materials
 Student’s handout: What are map projections? Part 1
 PC, laptop or tablets for teacher and students
 Images of Mercator and Robinson map projections e.g. using
https://images.google.com and a screenshot app, Microsoft Paint or
Ctrl + PrtScn
 Spreadsheet tool, e.g. Excel or https://www.google.com/sheets
 Dictionary definition of projection from
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english

Procedure
1. Start by asking your learners what they know about maps of the world, how they
are created and if they all look the same. You could use objects: a ball to
represent the earth/three-dimensional object, a piece of paper to represent a
map/two-dimensional object to help elicit ideas from learners.

2. Ask learners to go to Google Images, look up the Mercator map projection and
print a map or make a screenshot and save it on the desktop.

3. Ask learners to go to Google Images, look up the Robinson map projection and
print a map or make a screenshot and save it on the desktop.

4. Ask learners to create a spreadsheet by using Excel or Google Sheets with the
categories below. Check any vocabulary you think is new for your learners.

Mercator Robinson

Size of North America

Size of Antarctica

Size of Greenland

Size of Africa

Shape of North America

Shape of Asia

Lines of latitude (straight,

curved, parallel,
perpendicular, size)
Lines of longitude (straight,
curved, parallel,
perpendicular, size)

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What are map projections? Part 1

5. Ask learners to complete the spreadsheet for the two map projections. Put
learners into pairs to discuss their observations about how the two projections
compare. Encourage learners to use the Useful language box on their handout.

Suggested answers

Mercator Robinson

northern part larger than northern part smaller than

Size of North America Robinson Mercator

quite small – not really larger/more visible than

Size of Antarctica shown Mercator

similar size to South much smaller than

America – but South
Size of Greenland America is about 15
times larger than
Greenland
smaller than Greenland,
Size of Africa similar size to Russia and
North America
stretched/elongated
Shape of North America
similar to Robinson*
Shape of Asia
Mercator, more realistic
size
larger than Greenland
and North America,
similar size to Asia
more compact – higher
latitudes shown as
curving away
similar to Mercator*

Lines of latitude straight, parallel, distance straight, parallel

(straight, curved, apart gets greater as they
parallel, perpendicular, get further from the
size) equator
Lines of longitude straight, parallel, curved, parallel
(straight, curved, equidistant
parallel, perpendicular,
size)

*Shapes of areas closer to the equator are fairly accurate on the Mercator map,
which is why they are similar to the Robinson projection.

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What are map projections? Part 1

6. Conduct whole-class feedback on the learners’ observations.

7. Ask learners to look up the meaning of projection in the Cambridge Dictionary.

Ask them to work with a partner to decide which of the definitions is most suitable
for this context (maps), copy it into their notebook and explain why they think it is
the best definition.

Suggested answer:

The definition that best matches this context is:

projection (noun) (drawing)

a drawing that represents a solid shape or a line seen from a particular direction

(http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/projection, accessed 11.08.17)

The definition is not an exact match and doesn’t mention its use with map. However,
learners should be able to work out that it is the closest definition for the context.

8. Conduct whole-class feedback on the definition and ask a few questions to check
learning from the lesson. For example, What kind of language have you used to
compare map projections? What are the key points you have discovered about
map projections?

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 Teacher’s notes
What are map projections? Part 1

Useful language
Today we’re going to look at different map projections.
Does anyone know what projection means?

In this lesson you’re going to use comparative adjectives

and different expressions to explain the differences and
Preparing for learning similarities in two map projections.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to compare and

talk about different map projections

Look carefully at …

Examine the map projections and think about their

differences and similarities.

Setting up and Compare the two pictures and fill in the spreadsheet using
your observations.
managing activities
I’d like you to work in pairs now. I will give you a partner.

You will have to turn around/sit together to discuss your

ideas with your partner.

A map projection is a drawing that represents the earth.

A map is a 2D representation of the earth, which is a 3D

object.

Who can tell me what 2D means? Does anyone know

what 3D means?

Conveying ideas and Representing the earth, a spheroid, as a 2D shape

produces some distortions. Distortions are changes from
information
the original shape.

What kinds of distortions do you see in these map

projections?

Which map projection do you think is more accurate/the

most accurate?

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What are map projections? Part 1

What differences/similarities have you noticed in the two

projections?

Why do you think the sizes of the continents appear to be

different?

How do the sizes of … compare in these projections?

Developing thinking
skills Which one is more accurate?

How are the meridians/parallels different/the same in

these projections?

Why do you think the sizes of the continents appear to be

different?

Remember that you need to compare and contrast these

map projections, that is, you have to think about their
similarities and differences.

Why did you write that …?

Why do you say that …? What makes you say that?

Supporting and Have you changed your ideas now that you have
discussed them with a partner?
checking learning
So, what have you learned about map projections?

What kind of language have you used to compare map

projections?

What are the key points you have discovered about map
projections?

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