Find Resources on a Map: A Grade 3 Lesson

📚 Finding Resources on a Map: A Grade 3 Lesson

This lesson helps students understand how maps can be used to locate different resources in their community and around the world. They will learn to identify symbols and use map keys to find places where resources like food, water, and energy are available.

🎯 Learning Objectives

• 🧭 Students will be able to define what a resource is.
• 📍 Students will be able to identify common resources found on maps (e.g., water, parks, schools).
• 🗺️ Students will be able to use a map key or legend to locate resources.
• 🌎 Students will be able to explain why knowing the location of resources is important.

🍎 Materials

• 🗺️ Various types of maps (local map, world map, resource map).
• 🖍️ Markers or colored pencils.
• 📍 Stickers or small labels.
• 🔑 Map key/legend examples.
• 📃 Worksheet with map-related questions.

☀️ Warm-up (5 minutes)

What is a Resource?

Begin by asking students what they think a 'resource' is. Guide them to understand that a resource is something that people use. Examples include food, water, parks, schools, hospitals, and stores.

• 🗣️ Discuss different types of resources available in their community.
• ❓ Ask: "What resources do you use every day?"

🗺️ Main Instruction

1. Introducing Maps:
   • 🌍 Show different types of maps to the students. Explain that maps are drawings that show places.
   • 📍 Point out familiar locations on the map, such as their school, home, or local park.
2. Understanding Map Keys/Legends:
   • 🔑 Explain that a map key, also called a legend, tells us what the symbols on a map mean.
   • 🏞️ Show examples of common symbols such as those for parks (usually a tree), water (usually a blue area), and schools (often a building with a flag).
   • ❓ Ask: "What does this symbol mean according to the map key?"
3. Finding Resources on a Map:
   • 📍 Give each student a map (local or world map) and a worksheet.
   • 🔍 Guide students to locate specific resources on the map using the map key. For example, "Find a park near your school using the map key."
   • ✏️ Have students mark the resources they find using stickers or colored pencils.
4. Discussion:
   • 🗣️ Discuss why it's important to know where resources are located.
   • 💡 For example, knowing where hospitals are can help in emergencies, and knowing where grocery stores are helps people get food.

📝 Assessment

1. Worksheet Activity:
   • 📃 Provide a worksheet with questions related to finding resources on a map.
   • ❓ Example questions: "Find and circle three parks on the map," or "What symbol represents a hospital on this map?"
2. Map Creation:
   • 🖍️ Have students create their own simple map of their classroom or neighborhood, including a map key showing important resources.
   • 📍Encourage them to include resources like a library (📚), playground ( 🤸), or water fountain (💧).