The human brain was wired for organization. It’s the reason the sports page is organized by different sets of statistics and a business presentation features colorful charts. We all have our own way of doing things, or in the case of putting up laundry, of not doing things. Nevertheless, our brain looks for patterns in our natural world and then uses those patterns as a reference for the future. As social studies teachers, we can take advantage of that in many ways. Today, I want to focus on how we can use maps to help organize and enhance student learning.
The political and physical maps are by far the most common in the classroom, but they can serve as a starting point. Show a 3D topographic map of India to highlight the barriers that separate the Indian subcontinent with the rest of Asia or of South America to showcase how the Andes dominate the continent. You can even use local topographic maps to look at parks, trails, and so much more. Are your students researching for biology class? Introduce a climate and precipitation map and use it to help determine the reasons for a species range. Interested in studying the results of the Presidential election? Start with a map of how each state voted and then break it down by individual districts. Suddenly, you can spot new patterns. You can then add population density, economic and natural resources, or a host of any other types of maps. The possibilities are endless.
The best part about using maps in the classroom is your other colleagues will thank you. Help your students better understand scale for their math class. Review titles and labels to sharpen those ELA skills. Explore ocean currants while learning about explorers of the past or plate technonics to discern which civilizations dealt with often unimaginable wreckage from earthquakes. This is just another example of how social studies is so vital for student growth and learning, both inside and outside the classroom. The cross curricular connections further help the brain cement new learning as students make sense of the world around them.
Ryan Wagoner
Lyceum of History
“I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.” ~Alexander the Great
Lyceum of History 
Leave a comment