In this lesson, students will identify locations around the classroom by programming a Bee Bot to move to specific locations on a map using positional words.

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of electronic and paper maps as representations of the physical world. In examining the different ways in which the two mediums reflect place and positionality, students should consider the utility and relative value of different geographic representations. Through interaction with the formative performance tasks and featured sources, students build their knowledge and understanding so that they are able to develop an argument that answers the compelling question "Do We Still Need Paper Maps?"

Students will compare miniature models to the real things, then explore maps and globes as models of the Earth. Maps and map features are shown and discussed as the teacher displays a park map, a neighborhood map, a community map, and uses Google maps and Google Earth. A printable student handout is also provided.

In this lesson, students locate the North Pole and South Pole on a globe. Students learn the definitions of north, south, east, and west. Students also determine the direction north on a globe.

With this resource, students learn how to use a compass rose to respond to questions about directions.

In this multiday lesson, kindergarten students learn about the physical characteristics of their community as an introduction to map skills. Students will partcipate in a variety of activities including a whole group discussion using a Powerpoint presentation, centers, a rebus story, and a neighborhood walk. This lesson includes clip art, a Powerpoint presentation, and student handouts.

This parent guide supports parents in helping their child at home with the Kindergarten Social Studies content.

This resource accompanies our Rethink Kindergarten Social Studies Geography unit. It includes ideas for use, ways to support exceptional children, ways to extend learning, digital resources and tools, tips for supporting English Language Learners and students with visual and hearing impairments. There are also ideas for offline learning.

In this lesson, students learn about the people in the school community, their jobs and job descriptions, and identify locations of those jobs within the school. Students also learn how these jobs contribute to meeting the needs of the school community.

Kindergarten students review the physical and human features of their community and how they affect the way people live. Students will participate in a variety of activities in this multiday lesson, including building a model community, exploring and drawing maps, and whole group discussions. A reproducible Parent letter is included with this lesson.

This unit was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for Kindergarten Social Studies in Geography.

In this lesson, students will create a map of their classroom that can be used to find a hidden treasure. The concept of two-dimensional objects and three-dimensional objects will be explored during this activity.

The object of this lesson is for students to define and explain maps. Students also construct their own maps and develop map skills and appreciate the value of hard work in constructing their own maps.

In this lesson, students are introduced to maps and how they work by listening to a story about maps and working with a school map to determine locations around the school and how to get there. Students also work in small groups at stations designed to familiarize them with maps and create their own 2D and 3D maps.

Students explore the world of maps and learn how to view the world around them in a two-dimensional format.

Students use a map and cutouts of a story's character to follow their actions through space and time. They retell the story in their own words, using the map and positional vocabulary.

Students practice using the language of location and then apply that language when creating a map of their classroom. They use the map to locate hidden items in the classroom.

This kindergarten inquiry leads students through an investigation of maps and globes as tools that represent the physical world in different ways. In the inquiry, students consider how each tool represents locations, what purposes each tool serves, and what advantages and disadvantages each tool offers.

In this lesson, students will complete several classroom activities to improve basic map skills.

This chapter on Geography is meant to introduce students to the world around them and begin building foundational geographic skills which will serve them well in later social studies courses. This chapter may look different than many geography units you’ve seen.This chapter was designed with close help from Dr. Phil Gersmehl and his wife Carol, both of whom have extensive geographic pedagogical knowledge and experience. In this chapter we invite students to the world of spatial thinking rather than simply nailing down and exploring the five themes of geography.