This inquiry leads students through an investigation of maps, the common characteristics of maps, and the stories maps can tell about a place. By investigating the compelling question, “What is the most important information a map can tell us?,” students evaluate a set of maps with a focus on the Korean Peninsula as a case study. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry, help students deepen their understanding of maps and their value as a tool for understanding the world, and build content knowledge about the Korean Peninsula. Using the map set provided, students create an evidence-based argument about the most important piece of information they learned.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
What Is the Most Important Information a Map Can Tell Us?
Staging Question
Teachers will show students the National Geographic video clip on how maps are made, and have students find their location and the location of South Korea and/or the Korean Peninsula on a map.
1
Supporting QuestionWhat are the common characteristics of a map?
Formative TasksCreate a list of the common characteristics of a map (e.g., title, scale, symbols, cities, rivers).
SourcesSource A: Political map of North America
Source B: “South Up” world map
Source C: Map of Korean Peninsula
Source D: Population density map of South Korea
2
Supporting QuestionWhat can we learn about Korea by studying maps?
Formative TasksShare observations about the map set with a partner and write down two of these observations.
SourcesSource A: Gapminder mapping tool: income over time
Source B: Political map of Southeast Asia
Source C: Historical map of Korean Peninsula (1730)
Source D: Map of major Korean rivers (in English and Korean)
Summative Performance Task
Argument: What is the most important thing maps can teach us about Korea? Construct an argument in the form of a poster or drawing that addresses the compelling question.
Extension: Construct an argument about the most important information maps can tell us about the world, or generalizing the case study of Korea to the broader use of maps.
Taking Informed Action
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