Group+D

​Learning Activity 6-B-1

GROUP D - FINISHED // Very good SEA, comprehensive and complete .//

Part B- 1. This series of maps could be used as a supplement to the textbook maps during a study of WWII. They would be a good resource because they provide the information the commanding officers had at the time of the battle. The students can zoom in and focus on details of the map. Students could put themselves in the shoes of the C.O. and decide what battle plans they would make. (AS) // Yes, this is a great supplement to a textbook. CK .//

Any teacher who covers World War II would LOVE these maps because of their detail. It would also be neat to use these maps somehow with an interactive board so you could "play out" how the battle happened. I know I have a feature on my ENO board that allows you to "section out" images (or in this case a map) so that you can move things around. (MG) // The map can be very intricate with the detaile. CK .//

Obviously, these maps would be great for the study of the European theater of World War II. However, they could also be used to study the contemporary geography of Europe. These maps could also be compared to maps from other major European wars including but not limited to World War I, the Napoleonic Wars, the Seven Years War, and the Thirty Years War. Students may observe that many areas of Europe have been repeatedly victimized by or benefited from conflict. Further, the location of natural resources and waterways helps to determine how, where, and why conflict arises. (JF) // That is a good idea, once they have a base from this map, students could work with other maps too. CK .//

2. Students would need prior knowledge of WWII such as who we were fighting and why. They would need basic map skills so they could read and understand the maps. (AS) // This skill would be needed, and is an important one for students to have. CK .//

They would need to know how to read/navigate a map and they would also need to know the significance and detail of this part/battle of World War II. (MG) // Yes, this is true. CK .//

In general, students should have the ability to read maps and map keys. Further, a general knowledge of contemporary European political boundaries may be useful to develop a "backward" understanding of how these boundaries came to be. For example, I "know" my map of Europe because I remember how the major outcomes of the wars were new political boundaries. (JF)

Students should also have a basic understanding of the background to World War II, especially the social, economic, and political conditions faced by both Germany and the rest of the world. (JF)

3. I would use these maps in my classroom if I was doing a unit on WWII because they provide first hand information from the battle lines. It would be meaningful to students because they could see where the enemy was located and they could see what our soldiers were up against. It would appeal to visual learners and students who love to study wars. Plus, my 10 year old thought they were cool so hopefully other kids would, too! (AS) // The maps would appeal to the visual learner. CK .// I'm anxious to use it when I cover map skills. I would like to use a blank copy 1st so students can get an idea of the area in general. After analyzing the area I would then show them the Situation Maps(s) so they could see how that area was used... who was where, etc.(MG)

If I were teaching World War II, I would definitely use these maps. Both the maps and the map-making process are political statements. It would be great if we could compare these maps to those from the "enemy." Also, the visual nature of these documents allows for the development of visual literacy and higher level thinking. Although I would like to incorporate some of these maps into my World Cultures class, my unit on Europe is already very map heavy and using these documents may be over-kill. (JF) // I do think that careful consideration would need to be used in selecting what maps, or allowing students to pick ones to use. This would depend on what you had them do with the maps. CK .// Part C - Using Maps in Multiple Subject Areas //- Very good list with connections to different subject areas. CK .//
 * || For Science, during lessons on tornadoes:

[]

tornado map and FAQs

Science and Math: could be used to track local weather over several days. Find the average high and low temperatures for those days and total any rainfall amounts.

[] local weather stations

Geography: Compare the two maps from 1945 and today. How do the country names and borders change?

[] The world in 1945

[] The world today

An introductory unit on studying maps.

[] A map lesson showing why a bird's eye view is better than a ground view. ||

For lessons about the oil disaster in the Gulf. This interactive map indicates the site of the leak, where oil has made landfall, the effects on wildlife and other useful information regarding this disaster. @http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/01/us/20100501-oil-spill-tracker.html

After studying the effects of the Gulf disaster Science teachers may be interested in studying local bodies of water and possible effects we have on them. This interactive map of the Susquehanna River allows you to select the area bordering the river that you live closest to including streams, etc that feed into the Susquehanna. This could be used in a lesson about what may enter these waters according to what surrounds it that may eventually have an impact on the River. @http://www.fish.state.pa.us/watertrails/susqmid/trailmap.htm

When studying Pennsylvania Elementary teachers may find the following 2 maps of Pennsylvania (obtained from Culturegrams Database) of value. The PA detailed map also indicates PA historical records such as record high and low temperatures including where and when they were recorded.

One of the great things about maps is that they are not only useful, but they are also amazing works of art. Throughout time, they have been used to show different perspectives. Further, just as preferred media change in the visual arts, different media have been used to create these maps. History of Mapmaking -[] Maps (Field Museum Exhibit) []

Maps can also be used in language arts and other subjects to highlight the causes and outcomes of conflict and ethnocentrism. China as the Center of the World [] Mapping the Future... [] Maps of War [] Mapping Ethnocentrism (article) []

Maps and cartograms can also be used in math and business classes to interpret and analyze statistics. Cartograms [] Worldmapper []