Course Title:
Forestry and Woodland Ecosystems
Lesson Title:
Understanding Types of Maps
TEKS Addressed in Lesson: 130.17 c 7 A
(7) The student applies cartographic skills to natural resource activities. The student is expected to:
(A) describe different types of maps
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter130/index.html
Lesson Objectives. The student will be able to:
1. identify and describe different types of maps.
Tools and Equipment
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Computer
Notecard
Types of Maps PowerPoint
Types of Maps student notes WS
Key Terms / Vocabulary
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Map - a symbolic representation of selected characteristics occurring at a location that is used
to display spatial relationships
Cartographer – a person who makes maps
General purpose maps – map used to show location of specific objects or boundaries
Thematic maps – map used to display social, environmental, and/or economic data
Graduated symbols map – maps that use symbols to display quantity or magnitude
Chloropleth map – maps that use shades of color to represent ratios, numerical ranges, etc.
Isoline map – maps that use continuous lines to show regional differences
Flow map – maps that show movement of objects between locations
Cartogram – maps that distort shape of a region to represent magnitude of data
Dot density map – maps that show a concentration of points that represent a feature of interest
Engage / Interest Approach/Anticipatory Set
Have students evaluate a commercial forestry map of the world by observing and describing it. While
observing the map, they will be tasked with the answering the following on a notecard:
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List 5 observations
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What is the cartographer trying to communicate?
Are there any missing elements that would make interpreting the map easier?
Once all students have completed their notecard, the teacher will facilitate a discussion around their
observations and answers by calling on students to share out loud.
Potential discussion points might include but are not limited to:
 Shape distortion – size of country is distorted to represent magnitude of data
 4 different maps plus a reference map are represented in the illustration, can make initial
interpretation a bit confusing
 Comments about individual countries or continents might be made (i.e., size of Africa and
South America, etc…)
Explore & Explain / Teaching Plan and Strategy / Presentation of New Material
1. Introduce Types of Maps to students using the presentation
2. Students will fill in notes during presentation (see note sheet provided)
Elaborate / Activity/Application/ Student Engagement /Laboratory
Have students divide up into groups of 2 or 3. Have them describe the similarities and differences
between map types by comparing and contrasting the two main map types, general purpose and
thematic, using a Venn Diagram or Double Bubble.
Use each group’s descriptions and make a class diagram on the wall, board, or window using sticky
notes.
Evaluation / Summary
Students will complete the 5 question short answer/fill in the blank evaluation found in the student
packet.
References/Additional Materials / Extended Learning Opportunities/ Enrichment
https://www.boundless.com/users/14854/textbooks/human-geography/introduction-to-humangeography-1/introduction-to-geographical-tools-6/basic-map-types-25-16465/
Extended Learning:
Tasks the students with finding 10 maps related to forestry and have them classify what map
type category the maps belong to.
College & Career Readiness Standard
III Speaking B2
IV Listening B3
I Social Studies A1
I Cross-Disciplinary E2
©Texas Education Agency, 2015