Unit Plan 10 (Grade 2 Social Studies): Exploring Our Classroom Map
Teach students to create and label classroom maps using symbols, a legend, and cardinal directions, turning real observations and simple maps into accurate bird’s-eye drawings.
Focus: Create and label maps of familiar places (especially the classroom) using symbols, a legend, and simple cardinal directions; use real-life observations and existing maps as sources.
Grade Level: 2
Subject Area: Social Studies (Geography • Inquiry • Mapping Skills)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students become map makers by exploring and drawing a map of their classroom. They learn that maps are pictures from above that use symbols, a legend, and direction to show where things are. Students look at simple maps and photos, notice how real places become symbols, and then design their own classroom map. By the end of the week, each student creates a labeled map of the room with a symbol key and a north arrow.
Essential Questions
- What is a map, and how is it different from a picture?
- How do symbols and a legend help us understand what a map shows?
- How can we use cardinal directions (N, E, S, W) to describe where things are in our classroom?
- How do we use real-world information (looking, photos, other maps) to make our own accurate classroom map?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Explain that a map is a bird’s-eye view (from above) of a place.
- Identify and use basic map parts: title, symbols, legend/key, and a north arrow.
- Use simple cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) to describe where classroom objects are (“The rug is north of the door.”).
- Gather information about the classroom layout by observing, using photos, and looking at a sample school map.
- Create a neat classroom map that includes a title, several symbols, a legend, and a north arrow.
Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (C3-based custom)
- 2.C3.Geo.2 — Use and create simple maps with symbols, legends, and cardinal directions.
- Example: Draw a neighborhood map; use N/E/S/W to describe routes.
- 2.C3.Inq.2 — Gather information from multiple simple sources (photos, maps, short texts, interviews).
- Example: Use a children’s atlas, a local map, and a librarian interview to learn about services.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can tell someone that a map shows a place from above.
- I can use and make symbols and put them in a legend/key.
- I can use north, south, east, and west to say where things are in our classroom.
- I can look carefully at our classroom and other maps to help me draw my own.
- I can make a classroom map with a title, symbols, a legend, and a north arrow.