Unit Plan 17 (Grade 2 Social Studies): Learning from Maps and Globes

Focus: Use simple maps, legends, and globes to identify the continents and oceans; practice reading symbols and cardinal directions and sorting which resources are useful for learning about the world.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Social Studies (Geography • Maps • Inquiry Skills)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students discover how maps and globes help us understand our world. They explore classroom globes and world maps, learn to read map symbols and a legend, and practice using cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) to talk about where places are. Students learn the names and locations of the seven continents and major oceans, then practice sorting which pictures and tools are helpful or not helpful for finding information about our Earth. By the end of the week, they create a simple World Map & Reference Chart showing continents, oceans, and key map symbols.

Essential Questions

• How do maps and globes help us learn about our world?
• What are the continents and oceans, and where are they on a map or globe?
• How do symbols, a legend, and cardinal directions help us read maps?
• How can we decide which pictures and tools are useful or not useful when we want to learn about continents and oceans?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Explain that maps and globes are tools that show where places are in the world.
2. Use a world map or globe to point to and name the seven continents and major oceans.
3. Read a simple map legend and recognize symbols for land and water (and a few basic features like compass rose, equator).
4. Use basic cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) to describe where one continent or ocean is in relation to another (e.g., “Africa is south of Europe.”).
5. Sort different pictures and tools into “Helpful for learning continents and oceans” vs. “Not helpful” and create a World Map & Reference Chart that correctly labels continents and oceans.

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.3 — Evaluate information (relevance, basic reliability) and sort evidence.
  • Example: Decide which pictures actually show public services vs. private businesses.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain how a map and a globe help me learn about the world.
• I can find and name the continents and oceans on a world map or globe.
• I can use a legend to understand symbols on a map and point out N, S, E, W.
• I can use cardinal directions to say where one continent or ocean is compared to another.
• I can sort pictures and tools into helpful and not helpful for learning about continents and oceans and make a World Map & Reference Chart with correct labels.