The objective of this activity is to create a world map in a cooperative group activity. This is an ideal "first day" lesson that allows students to get acquainted while working together to solve a common problem.

Teaching Level: 5th to 9th grades

1. Read, interpret and make maps, charts and graphs to explain spatial relationships.

1. How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.
2. How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context.
3. How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface.

Large sheet of paper
Pens or pencils

1. Ask student to draw a map of the world.
2. Suggest using simple geometric forms for land areas- add peninsulas, and islands.
3. Label land areas.
4. Encourage students to note the spatial relationships of these land masses.
5. 5. When they have finished, ask students to number the areas of the world in the order in which they were drawn. (Did any NOT draw North America in the center or draw it first? Ethnocentrism.)
6. Compare maps to globes or wall maps in the classroom. Encourage students to share with different groups of students