Projections and Globemaking

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Grade Levels: 3-8

Time Allotment: 75 to 90 minutes

Maine Social Studies Standards: D1, E1

This lesson tells the story of the ways the surface of the earth has been depicted throughout history, and how maps came to be the way they are today. It looks at medieval T-O maps, Ptolemaic maps, longitude and latitude, globes, and projections. The presentation is followed up by a creative globe-making activity that reinforces the difficulties mapmakers face when projecting the 3-dimensional earth on a flat surface. An additional activity using the Dymaxion Map-Globe of Buckminster Fuller is also available.

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Item Files

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Presentation Files

This folder contains a powerpoint (.ppt) file of the completed presentation, as well as a suggested script in both .pdf and .doc formats.

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Presentation

Suggested Script w/ Images

Activity Files

This folder contains a .pdf file of the activity accompanying this lesson and any necessary documents and answer keys.

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Bucky's Dymaxion Globe Construction Activity

Suggested Reading

Harwood, Jeremy. To the Ends of the Earth. 2006.

Additional Materials:

Using a Scale and Compass Rose -- Casco Bay Chart
This activity allows students to practice using important map features (legend, scale, and compass rose). It is intended to be used in conjuction with the presentation, Projections and Map Features.

 T-O Map Worksheet
This activity uses a diagram of a typical medieval T-O map to illustrate culture's influence on maps. It is intended to be used in conjuction with either the presentation, Types of Maps, or the presentation, History of Cartography.