Map Quest Slides Grade 1 Social Studies • NC Standard 1.G.1
20-Min Mini-Lesson
Map & Globe
Explorers!
How do we look at our giant world? Let's discover two amazing tools!
🌐
The Globe
Round 3D Model
🗺️
The Map
Flat Drawing From Above
1
Our Earth is a Big Sphere!
Earth Features
🌎
Earth is shaped like a Ball!
💧
Blue = Water & Oceans
Most of Earth is covered in huge blue oceans!
🌲
Green & Brown = Land
Huge land areas where people and animals live!
Remember: When you see blue on any map or globe, it means water !
Key Difference
Globe vs. Map: What Is Different?
🌐
The Globe
● Round 3D sphere like real Earth
● Spins around on a stand
● Shows the whole world at once
🗺️
The Map
● Flat 2D drawing on paper or screen
● Bird’s-eye view from high above
● Can fold up into your pocket
A globe is a round model. A map is a flat drawing!
3
Map Keys & Symbols
Secret Code!
Maps use simple Symbols instead of giant photos!
The Map Key is the secret decoder box. It explains what each symbol means!
Sample Map Key (Legend)
🌲
Park / Trees
Outdoor forest
💧
Lake / Pond
Water place
⛺
Campground
Tents to sleep
🏠
House / Station
Building
🔑 Step 1 when looking at any map: Always check the Map Key!
60-Second Lightning Check
Shout Out the Answer!
Clue 1
"I am round like a ball and spin around. Am I a Globe or a Map?"
A GLOBE! 🌐
Clue 2
"I am flat and can be folded into a pocket. Am I a Globe or a Map?"
A MAP! 🗺️
Awesome job! You are ready for your Earth Detective Activity! 🚀
Map Explorers Teacher Guide 20-Minute Mini-Lesson • NC Social Studies Standard 1.G.1
Map & Globe Explorers Teacher Guide
Pacing: 20 Minutes Total • Target: Grade 1 (1.G.1.1 & 1.G.1.2)
Fast-Paced Mini-Lesson
Page 1 of 2
3 min 1. Hook
➔
7 min 2. Mini-Lesson
➔
7 min 3. Activity
➔
3 min 4. Exit Check
Core "I Can" Objectives
• I can tell the difference between a round globe (3D) and a flat map (2D).
• I can identify blue as water/oceans and green/brown as land/continents.
• I can use a map key to understand symbols.
Essential Vocabulary (Kid-Friendly)
Globe: A round ball model of our whole Earth.
Map: A flat drawing looking straight down from above.
Map Key: The "secret decoder box" explaining symbols.
Symbol: A little picture that stands for a real place.
Step-by-Step 20-Minute Instructional Plan Strict Pacing Protocol
1. Instant Hook: The Ball vs. The Paper (0:00 – 3:00) 3 Mins
Hold a physical globe in one hand and a folded paper map in the other. "Look at these two tools! Both show our world, but they look totally different! Which one can spin like a ball? Which one can fold up into my pocket?"
Key Takeaway: The Earth is shaped like a giant ball (sphere). A globe is a round model; a map is flat.
2. High-Impact Mini-Lesson: Map Quest Slides (3:00 – 10:00) 7 Mins
Guide students through the streamlined 5-slide deck:
Slides 1–3: Earth sphere, blue oceans & green land, Globe vs. Map comparison.
Slides 4–5: Map key code (symbols), compass directions (N, S, E, W), rapid quiz.
Speed Tip: Pre-distribute blue and green crayons and the single-page activity sheet before the lesson starts to eliminate transition downtime!
Practice, Assessment & Efficiency
Hands-On Practice & Check
Fast-Paced Mini-Lesson
Page 2 of 2
3. Guided Rapid Practice: Earth Detective Sheet (10:00 – 17:00) 7 Mins
Direct students to their desks for the streamlined 1-page activity:
• Minute 10–12: Part A — Read clues aloud as students circle "Globe" or "Map".
Earth Detective Activity Sheet Name:
Date:
Junior Geographer Mission • NC 1.G.1
Earth Detective Activity Sheet
Fast Practice
1 Globe or Map? (Circle the correct word)
3 Quick Clues
🌐 A round 3D model that spins like a ball:
Globe Map
🗺️ A flat drawing that can fold up into your pocket:
Globe Map
🦅 Shows places looking down from high above:
Globe Map
2 Land & Water Colors
Crayon Check
Color Me!
Water = Blue • Land = Green
Word Bank: Water Land
1. Blue color on a map or globe represents:
2. Green and brown colors represent:
3 Mini Map Key Detective
Symbol Secret Code
Camp Map 🧭 N points Up
🌲🌲 Forest
💧 Blue Lake
⛺ Campsite
🏠 Cabin
Map Key (Legend)
⛺ = Campsite / Tents
🌲 = Trees / Forest
💧 = Lake / Water
The key unlocks the secret meaning!
1. Draw symbol for Campsite:
2. The 💧 symbol means:
North Carolina Social Studies Standard 1.G.1 Great job, Junior Cartographer! 🌟
Map Check Exit Ticket 🧭
Map Check Exit Ticket
NC Standard 1.G.1 Quick Check
Name:
Date:
1. Which one is a GLOBE ? (Circle it)
🌐
Round Model
🗺️
Flat Drawing
2. What does blue show on a map or globe?
Water and Oceans
Land and Continents
3. A map key has the symbol 🌲. What does it stand for?
Forest / Trees Hospital Road
4. Is a map flat or round like a ball ?
Flat Round
How did you feel about maps today?
😃 Great! 🙂 Okay 🤔 Need Help
Cut along dashed line
🧭
Map Check Exit Ticket
NC Standard 1.G.1 Quick Check
Name:
Date:
1. Which one is a GLOBE ? (Circle it)
🌐
Round Model
🗺️
Flat Drawing
2. What does blue show on a map or globe?
Water and Oceans
Land and Continents
3. A map key has the symbol 🌲. What does it stand for?
Forest / Trees Hospital Road
4. Is a map flat or round like a ball ?
Flat Round
How did you feel about maps today?
😃 Great! 🙂 Okay 🤔 Need Help
Explorer Solutions Answer Key Teacher Grading & Scoring Resource
Explorer Solutions Answer Key
Optimized for 20-Minute Lesson • NC Standard 1.G.1 (1.G.1.1 & 1.G.1.2)
Fast-Grade Key
Single-Sheet Reference
Activity Sheet Solutions (7 Min)
Part 1: Globe or Map?
1. Round 3D sphere: GLOBE
2. Flat / foldable paper: MAP
3. High above (bird's-eye): MAP
Part 2: Land & Water
1. Blue color represents: Water (or Oceans)
2. Green/brown represents: Land (or Continents)
Part 3: Mini Map Key Detective
1. Campsite Symbol: Draws tent (⛺ / triangle)
2. 💧 Symbol meaning: Lake / Water / Pond
Exit Ticket Quick Key (3 Min / 4 Pts)
Q1: Which is a Globe? 🌐 Round Model
Q2: Blue represents? Water & Oceans
Q3: 🌲 stands for? Forest / Trees
Q4: Map shape? Flat
30-Second Glance Mastery Rubric
Meets Standard (3–4 pts): Clear mastery of 3D globe vs 2D map.
Approaching (2 pts): Knows shape difference; confuses key.
Needs Support (0–1 pts): Needs tactile 1-on-1 globe spin review.
60-Second Next-Day Reteach Plan
If any students score 1 or 2 on the exit ticket, begin the next morning's calendar time with a 60-second routine: pass the globe to their hands and say: "A globe curves around because Earth is a sphere. A map stays flat on our desk!"
Social Studies Instructional Resource • Aligned to North Carolina Standard 1.G.1