Unit Plan 10 (Grade 3 Social Studies): Reading Maps and Legends

Focus: Learn map basics—including titles, symbols, keys/legends, and directions—and use them to locate familiar places and describe simple routes. Students treat maps as sources of information, gathering details from maps alongside other visuals or short texts.

Grade Level: 3

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

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students become map readers and map makers. They explore how maps use symbols, colors, and a legend (key) to show real places. Students practice reading titles, using a compass rose for cardinal and intermediate directions, and locating familiar places such as their school, park, or neighborhood landmarks. They also learn that maps are sources of information—they can answer questions like “Where is it?” and “How do I get there?” By the end of the week, students create a simple map of a familiar area with a title, legend, and directions-based route description.

Essential Questions

• How do symbols, legends, and titles help us understand what a map shows?
• How can we use cardinal and intermediate directions to describe where places are and how to get from one place to another?
• What can we learn about our community by reading maps along with other sources like photos or short texts?
• Why are maps important tools for understanding our world and community?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain key map parts: title, symbols, legend/key, compass rose, and direction labels.
2. Use cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) and intermediate directions (NE, SE, SW, NW) to describe the location of familiar places on a map.
3. Read simple maps of the classroom, school, or town to locate places and follow or describe a short route.
4. Gather information from maps and at least one other source (photo, brochure, or short text) to answer questions about a place.
5. Create a map of a familiar area (classroom, playground, or neighborhood) that includes a title, legend, symbols, and a compass rose.
6. Write or speak a short route description using direction words (e.g., “Walk north to the library, then turn east toward the park.”).

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (C3-based custom)

• 3.C3.Geo.2 — Use and create maps with titles, legends, scale symbols, and cardinal/intermediate directions.
  • Example: Draw a neighborhood map using N, NE, E… to describe a route.
• 3.C3.Inq.2 — Gather information from multiple sources (maps, charts, photos, primary/secondary texts, interviews).
  • Example: Use a town map, a park brochure, and a short news article to learn about a new trail.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can point to and explain important parts of a map (title, legend, symbols, compass rose).
• I can use north, south, east, west (and sometimes NE, SE, SW, NW) to describe where things are on a map.
• I can find places on a map and describe a simple route between them.
• I can use a map and at least one other source to answer questions about a place.
• I can draw my own map of a familiar place with a title, legend, and compass rose.