2nd Grade

Geography
Using map skills to hunt for
treasure!
By: Ana Dunne

Curricular Books

Pirate Treasure Map

A Fairy Tale Adventure
In this book a little boy named Jack is
hunting for a treasure with the Captain.
Throughout the story they come face
to face with several different fairytale
characters. Together they use the map
and their basic map skills to find the
long lost treasure.

Lesson Plan #1
Lesson Plans:
A PirateTreasureHunt
Lesson 1
TimeNeeded: 1 day, 30 minute lesson
BigUnderstanding:
Students have been learning about the community and three different types of
communities where people live. They have learned about urban, suburban, and rural
communities. Now that students understand what might be present in these different
communities, I want to integrate this with maps. I want students to understand the
importance and use of maps. To begin learning this, students will be going on a mini
treasure hunt with only one goal in mind; treasure. Students will experience this without a
map in order to see the value of having directions and a map alongside them. They will
also be learning math through the use of their treasure!
MaterialsNeeded:
Treasure (M&Ms- 14 fun size packets)
Pirate Treasure Map A Fairytale Adventure By Colin and Jacqui Hawkins
Resources used:
TCi Social Studies Alive! Lesson Guide
Nevada Academic Standards:
Content Area: Social studies
G5.2.4 Give and follow simple oral directions to move from one location to
another.
G6.2.5 Provide examples of geographical uses of machines, tools, and
technologies, i.e., surveying tools, map navigation programs.
G5.2.6 Identify geographic information within media sources, i.e., maps, books,
photographs.
Lesson Objectives:
Students will experience frustration while trying to find treasure without a map or
guidance.
Students will brainstorm together as a class to come up with what would have
helped their search for treasure.
Students will use their treasure (M&Ms) to explore math and they will be equally
distributing candy among their table groups.
Students will work together to think of tools that might be seen on a map.
Vocabulary:
Map
Equal distribution

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Mapping Our World

In Mapping Our World, Sandy does a
great job of informing the readers
about the seven continents and how
to locate them on a map. Through
her explanations and images, the
reader learns how to recognize the
continents on maps. They also learn
different map skills like reading a
compass rose, looking at a legend, or
using a scale for distance.

Lesson Plan #2
Timeneeded: 30 minutes

Map Key/Symbols:
Lesson 2

BigUnderstanding:
Students have spent some time learning about the compass and its use on a map, now students will be spending
time learning about what else is found on a map. They will be learning about the use of a map key and its
symbols. What are some symbols we see in our daily lives? Do they have words on them, or do we know what
they stand for as we view the picture? Some students may be able to mention symbols they see in their daily
lives such as restroom symbols, McDonalds, the airport, hospital, etc. The goal of this lesson is for students
to learn about the use of symbols, the importance of them, and what they mean on a map.
Materials Needed:
Mapping Our World by Sandy Phan
Quiz-Quiz-Trade cards (made by the teacher)
Pictures of symbols
Making a map worksheet
Resources used:
Google images to locate pictures of symbols and logos for the Quiz-Quiz-Trade cards
Scholastic Success With 2nd Grade workbook
Nevada Academic Standards:
G5.2.1 Identify titles and symbols maps
G5.2.3 Construct a map key from given symbols and choose a map title.
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to name symbols on a map.
Students will recognize the compass rose and be able to use a scale
Students will be able to successfully name symbols on the quiz-quiz-trade cards.
Students will learn that a symbol is a drawing that stands for something real. They will also understand
that it can be a picture, color, or a pattern.
Vocabulary:
Map key/legend
Scale
Symbol
Engagement:
1. Tell the students, I am going to teach you something that many of you ALREADY KNOW! Who here
can tell me what a symbol is?
a. Provide wait time as students think of what it means to them.
b. Call on students to share their knowledge.
2. After about five minutes of sharing, expand on what they have said. Yes, symbols stand for things. Did
you know that you see symbols in your everyday lives?

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Follow that Map!

In this book, students will be
working with Sally to find Max and
Ollie (a dog and cat). The book will
take students to a neighborhood,
city, and even country. Students will
also have the opportunity to explore
and learn about new places, as well
as use different basic map skills in
order to successfully find them.

Lesson #3
Map Grids
Lesson 3
TimeNeeded: 30 minutes
BigUnderstanding:
Students will learn what a map grid is and how to locate an object or area through the use
of one. They will learn that the lines running vertically and horizontally form coordinates
and that the coordinates are read with the letter first, followed by the number. They will
learn to use these types of maps through the use of their own name and classmates names
as well.
Materials Needed:
Follow that Map by Scot Ritchie
Mimio/Smart Board
Empty map grid with a students name in each box. (Pseudonyms were used)
As seen below:
B
Alison

C
Tommy

D
Emily

A
Sean A.

Jack

F
Lauren

Solei

Riley

Tavi

Bryce

Miryah

Sean F.

Cameron

Kaylie

Jacob

Sarah

Holden

Mrs. Bell

Arcadia

Jude

Hannah

Zeke

Addie

Hayden

Christy

Dylan

Haley

Mackensie

Shadow

Mrs. Dunne

Mr. Lobato

Mr. Reagan

Mrs. Gibney

Ms. Schmult

Miss Cindy

Miss Vickie

Resources used:
Scholastic 2nd grade workbook
Nevada Academic Standards:
G5.2.5 Use a simple letter/number grid system to find a specific location.
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to locate others on the map grid successfully.
Students will learn to read the letter first, followed by the number when reading
the coordinates.
Students will become familiar with the vocabulary associated with this lesson.

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Landforms
Landforms engages the reader and
teaches them several different
landforms. Some of these include:
mountains, hills, plateaus, mesas,
valleys, seas, and many more. William
Rice not only includes a beautiful
photograph of the landform, but a
detailed description as well. At the
end of the book there is also a fun
activity that you can do with students
to further their education on
landforms.

Lesson Plans # 4 & 5

Landforms
Lesson 4
TimeNeeded: 2 days, 30 minute session each day
BigUnderstanding:
Students have learned about different types of maps that are available to us. They have
learned about both globes and world maps, as well as what tools appear on a map to help
us identify different locations. In this lesson, students will be learning about physical
maps and the landforms that may appear on one. They will be learning the differences
between mountains, valleys, deserts, plains, rivers, lakes, oceans, and islands.
Materials Needed:
Landforms by William Rice
Resources:
Social Studies Alive! My community TCi textbook
Nevada Academic Standards:
G5.2.2 Recognize spatial patterns, i.e., political units, physical features, on a map and
globe.
G5.2.6 Identify geographic information within media sources, i.e., maps, books,
photographs.
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to identify the different landforms and be able to give an
example or draw a picture of each.
Students will know what a physical map is.
Vocabulary:
Physical map
Mountain
Valley
Desert
Plains
River
Lake
Ocean
Island
Engagement:
1. To begin the lesson, ask students if they know what a landform is. Discuss this
with the class before reading Landforms to students.

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States and Capitals

United We Stand!
This book does a great job
describing the states and capitals of
the United States as well as DC and
the six territories. The authors
make the states come to life by
giving each state its own voice and
personality. Through this book, the
authors engage the students and
describe the states capital, motto,
state bird, state flag, and state
flower. The book also gives a fun
fact about each state.

Lesson Plan #6
States and Capitals: Nevada
Lesson 6
TimeNeeded: 5 weeks in order to cover all five regions
BigUnderstanding: I want students to be able to recognize their own state while looking at a map. I also want
them to understand that the United States is made up of five different regions, which all have different
landforms and climates.
Materials Needed:
States and Capitals: United We Stand by Simon Basher, Dan Green, and Edward Widmer
United States map
Map with the five regions outlined
Nevada Academic Standards:
G5.2.6 Identify geographic information within media sources, i.e., maps, books, photographs.
G6.2.1 Define region and provide examples of regions.
G6.2.7 Locate his/her city and state on a map.
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to define what a region is as well as recognize the five different regions of the
United States.
Students will learn about different geographic locations, the landforms associated among each, and
where their own state is located on a map.
Vocabulary:
State
Capital
Regions
Landforms
Engagement:
1.
To motivate and engage students, read States and Capitals: United We Stand out loud.
a. While reading, ask students what theyve learned so far. Which states are located near us?
(Nevada)
b. What type of landforms do we know are present in our state?
c. What are the different states capitals, state bird, state flower, etc.
2.
After reading, show a map of the United States.
3.
Work with students to identify which state is ours: Nevada.
4.
Once its been located, introduce the five regions and define what a region is.
Investigation:

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Gooney Bird on the Map

Gooney Bird on the Map is about Mrs.
Pidgeons class, who is about to go on
February vacation from school. Some
students are upset that they dont get to go
on vacation. Instead of complaining like her
peers, Gooney Bird comes up with a plan to
cheer up her classmates and explore the
United States history and geography.

Lesson #7
MappingMeand my Vacation Place
Lesson 7
TimeNeeded: 1 week, 15-30 minute session each (depending on if its a read aloud only
or activity as well)
BigUnderstanding:
I want students to be able to create their own maps, first starting off simple. Students will
learn that there are more to maps than just mapping a country or a city, they can also map
their bedrooms! In this lesson, students will learn that they can map many things in their
day-to-day lives through the use of a self-made booklet. Theyll also learn that they can
map locations theyve visited or where friends and family live.
Materials Needed:
o Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney
o Gooney Bird on the Map by Lois Lowry
o Yellow printer paper
o Two United States maps
o World map
o Markers
o Crayons
o Glue
o Scissors
Nevada Academic Standards:
G5.2.6 Identify geographic information within media sources, i.e., maps, books,
photographs.
G6.2.6 Show that different locations have different addresses.
G6.2.2 Describe neighborhoods and communities as places where people live, work, and
play.
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to expand and contribute to the knowledge of a small group
about the book we read aloud.
Students will recall that they can map their own lives; they can map their room,
where they live, or even where they vacation to.
Students will be able to map themselves in a self-made booklet.
Students will learn about the different boundaries in a community, they will learn
about maps, and they will also learn their own addresses.
Students will be able to map where theyve gone on vacation to
Vocabulary:
Continent
Countries
Hemispheres

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Web Links
Geography Games
Map Games
National Geographic
Continents Song