Identifying Regions on
a Map
A WebQuest for 5th Grade Social Studies
Designed by
Hannah Falkenburg
hfalkenb@kent.edu
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page
Introduction
This lesson will be on how to use coordinates of latitude and longitude to
determine the absolute location of points on a map and where certain
regions are located on a map of North America. The lesson will give the
class a better perspective of our country and some of its important
landmarks.
The Task
Students will be able to determine the absolute location of points and
identify the following locations on a map:
 The three largest countries in North
America
 The fifty states in the United States
 Rocky and Appalachian Mountain
Systems
 Mississippi, Rio Grande, and St.
Lawrence Rivers

The Great Lakes
The Process
1. First we will define and discuss latitude and longitude and find certain
locations on a map of North America using latitude and longitude.
2. Next we will identify the borders of the United States, Canada, and
Mexico, the Rocky and the Appalachian Mountains, and the
Mississippi, Rio Grande, and St. Lawrence Rivers.
3. Now you will highlight both of the rivers, the mountain systems, and
the border of the three countries on a black and white map according
to a color key.
4. You will use a map of the fifty states in order to label a map with the
names of the states missing that you can use to study and use as a
reference tool in the future.
5. Finally, use the map of the Great Lakes and the surrounding states to
gain an understanding of where they are located. You can use the
acronym H.O.M.E.S. (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior) to
remember the names of the five Great Lakes.
Evaluation



After we discuss latitude and longitude I will give the class different
coordinates on a map and ask that you identify the regions at those
coordinates. This will only be graded by participation.
When we are done locating the boundaries of the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico along with both the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains and the
Mississippi, Rio Grande, and St. Lawrence Rivers you will be provided
two black and white maps to color code these places. This will only
be graded by participation.
You will be given homework that will allow you to demonstrate what
you have learned. Each question will be worth two points.
Conclusion
Now you will all be able to comprehend and make use of different maps
along with knowing where some major geographic locations are in your
country. There is a lot to see in the world and you can take what you have
learned from this lesson to explore what is in other regions of the world.
Credits & Reference
http://www.education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRel
ationID=1706&ContentID=852&Content=88262
http://webpages.csus.edu/~ndd22/north-america-map.gif
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~m4pearson/unitedstatesmap.jpg
http://www.eprintablecalendars.com/images/maps/blank-map-of-the-united-states.jpg
http://www.great-lakes.net/tourism/circletour/circletour_map.gif