📚 Part 1: Read the Map Clues

I can use a map’s title, legend, symbols, directions, scale, and grid to find information.

Success criteria: I can locate places with grid references, use cardinal and intermediate directions, explain symbols, and use a map scale.

A map title tells what the map shows. A legend, or key, explains symbols and colors. A compass rose shows directions: north, south, east, and west. Northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest are intermediate directions. A scale compares map distance with real distance. A grid reference names a place by its column letter and row number.

Physical maps show natural features such as rivers, mountains, and lakes. Political maps show human-made features such as towns, cities, borders, and roads. Both types can have titles, legends, symbols, directions, and scales. Maps help readers understand information they cannot easily see in a paragraph.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7: Interpret information presented visually and explain how it adds to understanding.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.10: Read and understand grade-level informational text.

Fictional Town Map

North is at the top. Scale: 1 grid square = 1 mile.

Column: A      B      C      D

Row 4: A4 [P] Park    B4 [L] Library    C4 [H] Hospital    D4 [G] Grocery Store

Row 3: A3 [S] School    B3 Main Road crosses Oak Road    C3 River    D3 Oak Road

Row 2: A2 Open Land    B2 Main Road    C2 River    D2 Open Land

Row 1: A1 Open Land    B1 Main Road    C1 River    D1 Open Land

Legend: [P] park   [L] library   [H] hospital   [G] grocery store   [S] school

Roads and river: Main Road runs north-south through column B. Oak Road runs east-west across row 3. The river runs north-south through column C.

🔎 Part 2: Solve the Map Mystery

Answer: __________ mile

🎫 Part 3: Exit Ticket and Teacher Key

Answer: ________________________________________________

Answer: ________________________________________________

Answer Key

1. C. C4

2. B. Library

3. D. [S]

4. A. North

5. 1 mile

6. Acceptable answers include physical feature: river or open land; human-made feature: road, school, library, hospital, park, or grocery store.

7. Answers should explain that the map helps people find places, plan routes, understand distances, or identify natural and human-made features. Students should include a map detail.

8. The legend or key.

9. East.

10. A political map shows human-made places and boundaries, such as cities. A physical map shows natural features, such as rivers.

Support and Extension

Support: Read the passage with a partner, use the legend and a compass rose while answering, highlight the grid letters and numbers, or give an oral response. Use the sentence frame: “The map shows ______, so people can ______.”

Extension: Design a map-choice guide explaining which map to use for finding a city, river, mountain, or boundary. Explain why some maps may combine physical and political information.