Geography and Maps

All maps tell a story, and all maps serve a unique purpose. From world maps to political maps and everything between, geographers use maps to understand the world and how it changes over time. Through engaging geography lessons and hands-on mapping activities, students will explore these stories and begin building their own mental maps of the world.
See our full collection of maps
Historical map illustrating migration patterns over time.

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Lesson plans for teaching geography in social studies

Lesson 4.4
Big History
Early Humans
Migration
All humans evolved in Africa, but what made our ancestors journey outside of Africa to eventually populate the whole world? Journey through time and across thousands of miles to investigate human migration.
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Lesson 2.6
Big History
History of the Universe and Earth
Earth
Earth is just one planet amongst many in the Universe, but we think this planet is pretty special! Learn about the fiery early days of our planet and why this one planet among countless others increased the complexity of the Universe in a way that may be unique.
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World maps for teaching history

Black Death and Mongols Thematic Map
OER Project
Visual Aid

Black Death and Mongols Thematic Map External link

A full-color thematic map of the Black Death and Mongols in 1200 CE, meant to help you support, extend, and challenge the frame narratives.
Empires, Enslavement, and Revolutions Thematic Map
OER Project
Visual Aid

Empires, Enslavement, and Revolutions Thematic Map External link

A full-color thematic map of Empires, Enslavement, and Revolutions in 1750 CE, meant to help you support, extend, and challenge the frame narratives.
Second World War (November, 1942) Thematic Map
OER Project
Visual Aid

Second World War (November, 1942) Thematic Map External link

A full-color thematic map of the Second World War (November, 1942 CE), meant to help you support, extend, and challenge the frame narratives.
1200 CE Political Map
OER Project
Visual Aid

1200 CE Political Map External link

A full-color political map of the world in 1200 CE, highlighting the major states, communities, and cities you’ll learn about in WHP.
1750 CE Political Map
OER Project
Visual Aid

1750 CE Political Map External link

A full-color political map of the world in 1750 CE, highlighting the major states, communities, and cities you’ll learn about in WHP.
1914 CE Political Map
OER Project
Visual Aid

1914 CE Political Map External link

A full-color political map of the world in 1914 CE, highlighting the major states, communities, and cities you’ll learn about in WHP.

Geography activities for social studies classrooms

Geography: The Agricultural Revolution
Big History
Activity

Geography: The Agricultural Revolution External link

Can you predict where some of the first crops were grown? Use your geography skills to determine the correct locations.
Geography: Earth in Motion
Big History
Activity

Geography: Earth in Motion External link

About 100 million years ago, dinosaurs could be found on all over the world. How and why did Earth change after that to leave some animals stranded to evolve on only one continent?
Geography: Industrialization Mystery
Big History
Activity

Geography: Industrialization Mystery External link

What were the ingredients and Goldilocks Conditions for industrialization? Time to use your geographic detective skills to decide why industrialization began in one place but not the other.
World War I “Maptivity”
World History Origins
Opener

World War I “Maptivity” External link

Who will side with whom? Who will suffer more casualties? Use your map analysis skills and background knowledge to make predictions about World War I.
Mapping Beliefs
World History 1200
Opener

Mapping Beliefs External link

Examine a map about the spread of beliefs during this historical period. What context do you need to understand it, and what does it tell you about belief systems?
Mapping Trade in the Americas
World History Origins
Activity

Mapping Trade in the Americas External link

Use the information you’ve learned in this lesson to map out trade connections in the Americas, beginning in Chaco Canyon.
Mapping a Climate Future
Mapping a Climate Future
Climate
Activity

Mapping a Climate Future External link

Investigate a series of climate maps to visualize what extreme heat looks like now, and what scientists predict it will look like in the future.
Climate Impacts: Sea-Level Rise
Overview drove shot of waterfront homes inundated by rising sea and waves.
Climate
Article

Climate Impacts: Sea-Level Rise External link

This data exploration focuses on global sea-level rise—its connections to greenhouse gas emissions and the ways it threatens human communities all over the world.
Data Investigation
Climate
Opener

Data Investigation External link

Maps, charts, and graphs are pretty common tools for understanding climate change. See what you can learn from one chart in this opening activity.

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Teaching with maps

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Lesson Plan: Maps External link

In this lesson plan, students consider how maps reflect the priorities of their makers and how maps in turn shape our understanding of the world.
Blog

Here be dragons: Teaching world history in maps External link

How can maps help us understand the worldview of different societies? This blog explores over 15,000 years of maps, from Europe to Polynesia.
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Skills Clinic: Mapping History External link

In this session, educators explore some of OER Project’s geography materials to help student understand how maps shape our understanding of history.
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Community: Ask, Connect, Share

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