Grade: Middle
Subject: Geography

#440. Minnesota Floor map

Geography, level: Middle
Posted Sun May 17 17:56:49 PDT 1998 by K. Van Overschelde (vanoverk@svrlb.mntm.org).
SVRLB, Round Lake, Minnesota
Activity Time: 2 days
Concepts Taught: group map making

Minnesota Floor Map

Activity Title and Summary: Students will use materials and space provided to design a floor map of the State of Minnesota.

Objective: 1. Students will creatively learn about the Physical geography of Minnesota.
2. Students will work cooperatively to design a map of Minnesota.
3. Students will develop spatial and relative location of Minnesota
landmarks and physical characteristics.
4. Students will understand alternative ways of showing proportions and
and projections of physical characteristics.

Management: Students will work in collaborative groups of 3

Materials: Each group will assigned a 3 X 4 space on classroom floor.
Each group will be given Activity sheet with assignment information.
Materials
-1 role of masking tape
-4 colors of yarn, 2 ft long: white, blue, red, black
-1 dish of items, such as buttons, paper clips, tin foil, marbles,
Styrofoam,
-2 washable markers, black and red
-Access to Teachers "junk box"

Activity: Students are assigned to develop a map of Minnesota using a 3 x 4 space on classroom floor. Students will be given Materials to complete the activity.
Students will develop a Political map of Minnesota on the classroom floor. Students will complete the Physical aspects of the map, by representing the Land forms, Interstate system, river systems, and landmarks by using the provided materials.
The collaborative groups will complete the Minnesota Map checklist in an organized and appropriate manner. Each group will have 25 minutes to complete task. The teacher will monitor progress and evaluate teamwork and individual accountability.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated by self-assessment and teacher evaluation.
(see attached sheet) Instructor/Student Assessment Form


Resources: -Students will use previous knowledge from prior Class Activities
-Class Text:
Geography: The World and Its People,; National Geographical Society,;
Boem, Armstrong, and Hunkins; Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.;
Copyright 1996.
Minnesota Floor Map Activity

Instructor/Student Assessment Form

Group Name_________________

Students__________________________________________________________

Group Assessment
please rate your groups progress on the Floor Map activity. If you have questions, Please ask! Rate your progress 1-5, 5 is Excellent.

Students Teacher Comments
Overall Project 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Team work displayed 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
communication skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
following directions 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
use of Map skills 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
use of resources 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
neatness/creativity 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

*rate the Group 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
TOTAL 40

** Individual accountability
Rate Yourself
Student___________________ 1 2 3 4 5 12 3 4 5
Student___________________ 1 2 3 4 5 12 3 4 5 Student___________________ 1 2 3 4 5 12 3 4 5

Student: You will receive 3 grades for this assignment.
1) Group evaluation
2) Self evaluation
3) Teacher evaluation of Group/Self


Group Activity Information
"Minnesota Floor Map"

Focus: Students will work in cooperative group to further understand the Political and Physical Geography of Minnesota.

Checklist:

________Assigned to Student Group/ Floor space

________collect materials

________read directions and check for understanding of class activities

________Plan as a group, "Game Plan"

________Begin Project

________visually assess completed Project

________Complete assessment form

________hand in assessment Form

________Check with Teacher on clean up Procedures

directions: Your group will have 25 minutes to complete the Floor Map of Minnesota. You have a 3 x 4 space on the floor. Using the materials provided develop an outline Political map of Minnesota.
Once you have completed the outline map. Use the Materials provided to designate and represent the following things that are part of Minnesota Geography:
-Interstate Hiway Systems -Rochester
-Mississippi River -St. Cloud
-Twin Cities -Mankato
-SV & RL & B -Lake Mille Lacs
-Buffalo Ridge -Lake of the Woods
-Moorhead -Lake Superior
-Duluth -others
-Worthington