Maps Skills

Maps and Globes

by Shevonne Flores

​Earth is where we live. It is round, like a ball. Earth is made up of land and water.

​Globes

​A globe is a round model of Earth.

​

​It shows all the land and water on Earth.

​

​The blue part on the globe shows water. The brown and green parts show land.

​Maps

​Maps also show land and water, but maps are flat.

​

​Maps can show large places, like states. They can show small places, like towns.

​Maps

Some maps have a key.

​

​The key tells what the pictures on the map mean.

​Finding Places on a Map

​We can use maps to find places.

​

The map here shows all 50 states of the United States of America.

​

It also shows Washington, D.C. This is the nation's capital.

Multiple Choice

What is this?

• map

• globe

Multiple Choice

Which tool is flat?

Multiple Choice

Which tool is round like a ball?

Multiple Choice

Which tool has a map key?

Multiple Choice

Which tool is a model of the earth?

Multiple Choice

Which tool would you use to find your way to the mall?

Map Skills

​Parts of a Map

A map has many parts.

​

​The title tells what the map shows.

​

​The title of this map is Downtown.

​Parts of a Map

The compass rose shows directions.

​

​Arrows show:

​N for north

​E for east

​S for south

​W for west

​Parts of a Map

Map symbols are pictures that stand for real things.

​

​The key tells what the symbols mean.

Multiple Choice

Where can you look to find what symbols mean on a map?

• the compass rose

• the map key

Multiple Choice

In a compass rose, E stands for _______.

• Eagle

• East

Multiple Choice

In a compass rose, S stands for _______.

• September

• South

Multiple Choice

In a compass rose, W stands for ________.

• Winter

• West