Geography: Mental Maps
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 1.2ACTIVITY GEOGRAPHY: MENTAL MAPS1Unless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Geography: Mental Maps”, OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/PurposeBuild upon your geography skills as you learn about creating and evaluating mental maps.Process1.Review the information and terms in the “Geography 101” slideshow.2.In your own words, what is a mental map?3.Once you’ve finished reviewing the slideshow, think about the layout of your school. Picture it in your head. Where are the doors? How far is the cafeteria from the library? How do you get from your classroom to the bathroom?4.Now, on a piece of paper—and without peeking at any other materials—draw from memory a map of your school.Be sure to show the location of your homeroom or first period.5.All maps need some basic information. Add the following features to your map:title, symbols, a key or legend, and scale.6.Compare your map with a partner and discuss any differences you see.Key informationMap features include:•Title—Tells us what we’re looking at.•Symbols—Use size, shape, and color to represent different kinds of objects (for example, a door to represent a classroom or a book to represent the library).•Key/Legend—Tells us what those symbols mean.•Scale—Tells us how big an area we’re looking at.•Physical features—Include land, water, and natural resources.•Human-made features—Include buildings, hallways, classrooms, and bathrooms.
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 1.2ACTIVITY GEOGRAPHY: MENTAL MAPS27.List the features you drew on your map. Then, underline the physical featuresand circle the human features.8.Answer the following questions:a.How does the scale of your map compare to your partner’s map?b.How did the scale of your map affect the amount of detail you included? Was there anything that got left out?c.The maps you and your partner just made are probably different from one another. This is because the mental map youhaveof your schoolreflectsyourfocusesand prioritieswhile your partner’smental map reflects theirs. What do your maps tell you about yourself and your partner?