How Big is Indiana?
RULES: No shoes allowed on the map. Please have students remove shoes before walking on the map.
Socks are required. No writing utensils on the map.
Grade Level: 3-6
Estimated Time: One class period
Purpose: Students will use a map to learn the use of scale and geographical comparisons.
Social Studies Standards Addressed:
3.3.3: Identify the northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres; cardinal and intermediate directions;
and determine the direction and distance from one place to another.
4.3.2: Estimate distances between two places on a map, using a scale of miles, and use cardinal and
intermediate directions when referring to relative location.
4.3.9: Explain the importance of major transportation routes, including rivers, in the exploration,
settlement and growth of Indiana and in the state’s location as a crossroad of America.
4.3.12: Read and interpret thematic maps – such as transportation, population, and products – to acquire
information about Indiana in the present and the past.
5.3.1: Demonstrate that lines of latitude and longitude are measured in degrees of a circle, that places can be
precisely located where these lines intersect, and that location can be stated in terms of degrees north or
south of the equator and east or west of the prime meridian.
Objectives:
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the use of scale.
 Students will describe and explain the size of Indiana.
 Students will compare and contrast sizes and locations of Indiana counties.
Materials Needed:
 Nylon straps
 Comparison Chart
 Yarn/string
Procedures:
1. Introduce the map by asking, “How big do you think Indiana is?”* (Indiana ranks 38th in the United
States, from largest to smallest in area). Select a few students and have them lie down on the map head
to feet. How many students long (north to south) is Indiana? How many students wide (east to west)?
To get a better measurement, have the students use the straps included in the trunk and use the map scale
to find the measurements.
*The state is about 280 miles north to south and 160 miles east to west.
2. Next, using the nylon strap from the trunk or other pieces of string, have students use the scale to
measure the dimensions of their county. These straps equal approximately 20 miles. See attached
chart. Extend the activity by comparing their county to other counties around the state.
3. Another optional activity involving scale is to calculate the distance between major cities or lengths of
interstates or major roads and or rivers.
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4. Using the nylon straps, latitude lines, and basic math skills, have the students determine how many miles
Indiana is north to south. For older students, include the use of the latitude lines and scale. Have the
students hypothesize the distance between latitude lines (approx. 69 miles).
Mileage Of Interest…
 Wabash River through Indiana: approx. 450 miles
 Ohio River through Indiana: approx. 314 river miles
 White River: approx. 362 miles
 Whitewater Canal: 101 miles
 Wabash & Erie Canal: approx. 402 miles (total: 468 miles)
 I-65: approx. 261 miles
 I-70: approx. 156 miles
 I-74: approx. 172 miles
 I-69: approx. 157 miles
 I-80: approx. 151 miles
 I-90: approx. 156 miles
 I-64: approx. 123 miles
 I-465: approx. 53 miles
 US 31: approx. 266 miles
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