PART ONE: You will be paired with one other person to complete the various tasks to work towards getting your “Virtual Tourist” passport. After completing each required task you will get a sticker, stamp or your teacher’s initial. You will keep track of your passport page, which documents the completion of your assignments.
Assignments to Complete to get your Virtual Tourist Passport
Directions: The following assignments are required. This is the student worksheet called “Student Passport Page,” (Download as PDF or Word Document) that you will use to keep track of your progress. You may complete them in any order you wish. As you complete each assignment you need to show it to your teacher and have your passport page stamped or initialed. When you have completed all of these tasks you must turn it in to your teacher who will then award you a passport to become a Virtual Tourist!
1. Brainstorm types of maps
First define the word map. Then do some research to find out more about the different types of maps that exist. Some are maps of a particular place while others focus on specialized topics or themes. Brainstorm and make a list of all the types of maps you and your partner have seen, know about, or can find on the Library of Congress Web site. Do you agree that all of the ones you listed are in fact maps? On which ones do you disagree? What did you run across in your research that you both thought would not count as maps?
2. Daniel’s Dream
Directions: Check out Daniel’s Dream which is a 1500s map of the world.
Study the map and then compare that map to a modern day map of the same area.
- What are the three main areas that are depicted on the map?
- What are some of the differences in the modern and early maps?
- What are some items that the antique map has that the modern does not?
- What features does the modern map have that are not present on the antique map?
- What do they have in common?
- Why do you suppose there are differences in the maps?
- What tools might modern geographers have to use that would make map making more accurate?
After brainstorming your ideas and listing them on your paper, find out the answer by going to this page.
3. Weird Maps Check out a few of these unusual cartographic curiosities from the Yale Library collections..then read below the map for ideas on making your own weird map.
This is an example of what some call a weird map of France from the Yale Library collection. To learn more about this map or other unusual maps go to the Antiquarian Map section. Make a map of something that you don’t usually make a map for such as your refrigerator, backpack, bookshelf locker or another item that you choose. Be creative and be sure to include the major map elements as you put your creative talents to work.
4. Historical Map of the City of Cork
Look at the enclosed map of the City of Cork in Ireland. Use all the clues in the map to explain what you can about the city and its surrounding areas. Write up your findings in a well-organized paragraph. Use the enclosed modern day map of the City of Cork and compare it to the older one. Compare and contrast the two maps.
5. Macau over time
Look at and study the map series on Macao. After studying the maps write a paragraph or more on your analysis of what influence or interest Europe may have had in Macao over the years.
6. Changes in the Windy City: Chicago
Study the three enclosed maps of Chicago in the section listed chronological thinking.
Please note the dates of each map: 1868, 1892 and 1916. Answer the questions below the pictures. Take notes on what you can determine about the changes and challenges this city faced as time went by.
- Then study the two Chicago maps that show the city before and after the Chicago fire.
- What can you determine about the changes in the city after the fire?
- In what ways would life in the areas surrounding the area was burnt down change as a result of the fire?
- In what situations would having a series of maps from one place be useful?
7. Aerial Photographs
Study the aerial photograph maps of Manhattan and the one of two rivers: the Rio Negro and the Amazon ---- which shows the convergence of two rivers. What does the word convergence mean?
What advantages might maps made from aerial photographs have over other types of maps?
Then as a follow-up create a map of a favorite park, library, house or apartment as if it were taken as a snapshot from above. It will be a “bird’s eyeK” view of your home. Be sure to include all the necessary map elements.
Mt. Etna; lava flow of 29 July 2001
8. Landsat images
Check out this collection of satellite images that are taken using satellite technology. When finished viewing the exhibit write a paragraph on the ways satellite technology can be used to make more effective maps.
9. Map Projections
To learn more about map projections try this site from National Geographic and investigate the projections section. When finished define at least three types of projections.
10. Make a map
"Anything that can be spatially conceived can be mapped- and probably has been." From The Nature of Maps by Robinson and Petchenik.
What common characteristics do maps have? What do maps do? Think a bit and brainstorm what they are. Then read more in the introductory section of Zoom into Maps.
Use the classroom dictionary or click on the words below to see dictionary.com’s definition of some important words related to geography and particularly maps.
Define map, cartography and cartographer.
What are the essential elements that a map must have? Learn more about maps and mapmaking from this section. When you finished you should be a master cartographer!
Think of a favorite place. It can be an actual place or a place in your imagination. Map it out. Be sure to include a title, scale, map key, compass rose, and all the elements a good map should have. Add color and label all the significant places. Remember whenever possible to use a symbol to represent various places on your map.
PART TWO
When you have completed all ten required tasks you will get your passport to become a Virtual Traveler. Choose a place to study further such as Katmandu, Nepal, Monrovia, Liberia or Oxford, England. (You are free to choose any location in the world as long as you can find maps and other needed information.) To narrow down your search you may want to check out the resources of the Library of Congress or the CIA Factbook which offer a wealth of information. Keep a list of your resources.
3. As you “travel” you will make a guidebook which you will present to the class via a student class presentation. You will collect and write or draw items to put into your guidebook. The guidebook will be used as a part of your presentation to help convince travel agents to send their clients to your desired location. On the final day of this unit, you will market this place so that the travel agents (your classmates) understand what makes it unique. Check out this rubric to see the way your presentation will be evaluated. Be sure to include relevant maps that you make and find related to your city, town or country.
You will access the selected resources online and you may supplement them with classroom resources.