Zoom in on Maps

Readers will learn how to use maps to locate the world's oceans, rivers, mountains, and deserts. This graphic-rich book not only explains the important features of physical maps and why people use them, but it teaches the all-important skills of reading maps. From a compass rose and legend, to color coding and latitude and longitude lines, students get a taste for the basics of map reading. A follow-up activity allows students to pinpoint directions to a few secret locations around the globe.

You are planning a huge bike trip, so how can you find out where the mountains and flat lands are? Zoom in on a topographic map to find out. This graphic-heavy and instructive book introduces the reader to the basics of using topographic maps. They are introduced to the way elevations and contours of the land are shown on maps, and how to read the details shown on these maps. A follow-up activity encourages readers to use a contour map to plan a camping trip.

Readers will learn about different types of climate maps, such as precipitation maps and temperature maps. They will examine a map of the different climate zones around the world and how they affect the regions. They will even discover some practical reasons that people use climate maps. A follow-up activity allows readers to examine a climate zone map and use it to prepare for an imaginary trip around the world.

This informative book helps students learn to follow a road map, including using the grid system, legend, and compass rose. Students are also taught to understand and use a scale on a map. Each topic arms students with useful knowledge about reading road maps. A follow-up activity encourages readers to use a map to write directions for a friend.

Where does Illinois end and Indiana begin? How do you know you are not entering Kentucky or Missouri instead? This informative look at political maps helps readers understand the symbols used for understanding political maps, including political borders and national and state capitals. Election maps and agricultural maps will also be explored as students analyze them for the information they provide. A follow-up activity leads students to make their own election map and write questions about it.

This visual and instructive look at satellite maps and street maps helps readers understand the symbols, road markings, and land features of these types of maps. Concentration on a smaller area helps readers really study them carefully. A follow-up activity encourages readers to draw their own street map of their town or neighborhood.

Any young reader who has ever wondered about how weather is predicted will be fascinated by this book. It describes the many features of weather maps, from temperature and air pressure markings to wind speed and wind direction symbols. Students will also read about how meteorologists study and predict weather based on the information found in weather maps. A follow-up activity encourages readers to track weather over several days and make a new weather map each day to record the results.