Landform Scouts Slides Mapmaker Quest • Day 1
First Grade Explorers
Cartography Adventure
Landform Scouts
Put on your explorer hats! Today we uncover secret map tools, unlock cardinal directions, and journey across earth's wildest landforms.
1. Compass Rose
2. Earth Landforms
3. Map Symbols
Big Idea Step 1 of 5
What is a Map?
A map is a special bird's-eye view picture that shows where places and things are located!
Looking straight down from an airplane or eagle!
Shows land, water, towns, roads, and trails.
Bird's-Eye View Thinker
If you look down at a round table from above, you see a circle! Maps turn the whole 3D world into a clear flat guide.
Explorer Question: What does our classroom look like from way up on the ceiling?
Navigation Tool Step 2 of 5
The Compass Rose
The compass rose tells us which direction to travel so explorers never get lost!
Helpful Memory Chant:
Never • Eat • Soggy • Waffles!
Clockwise from the top: North, East, South, West.
N
E
S
W
North = Up
East = Right
South = Down
West = Left
Map Language Step 3 of 5
Symbols & The Map Key
Real mountains don't fit on paper! Cartographers use small pictures called symbols , and the key (legend) explains what they mean.
Triangle
Mountain
Tree
Forest
Wavy Lines
River / Ocean
Tent
Campsite
The Map Key is the secret decoder box! Always look at it first when you open a new map.
Earth Science Step 4 of 5
Natural Landforms vs. Built Places
What was made by nature? What was built by people?
Natural Landforms
Made by Earth and nature over millions of years:
Island: Land surrounded by waterMountain: Tall rocky land with a peakRiver: Flowing body of freshwaterOcean: Huge body of saltwater
Human-Made Places
Built by people to live, work, and travel:
Bridges: Crossing over riversTowns & Cities: Houses and storesRoads & Trails: Pathways for cars and hikersSchools & Parks: Places where we gather
Both landforms and built places appear on our maps!
Global Wonders Step 5 of 5
Giant Landforms on Our World Map
Look how these giant natural features look on planet Earth!
The Pacific Ocean
The biggest body of saltwater on Earth. It touches many countries including the United States and Japan!
Water Landform
Mount Everest
The highest mountain peak in the world, sitting in the snowy Himalaya mountain range in Asia!
High Rocky Land
The Amazon River
A giant winding river that flows through South America, surrounded by the world's biggest rainforest!
Winding Freshwater
Tomorrow, you will invent your own mysterious island with its own mountains and rivers!
Today's Explorer Mission Get Ready!
Become a Landform Detective!
Time to grab your pencil! You will label cardinal directions, decode secret symbols, and sort Earth's landforms.
Part 1
Label N, E, S, W on the Compass Rose
Part 2
Match map symbols to their meaning
Part 3
Answer cardinal direction clues
Raise your pencil high when you are ready to explore!
Landform Detective Worksheet Landform Detective Worksheet
Mapmaker Quest • Day 1 Capstone Activity
Name:
Date:
1 The Compass Rose: Label the 4 Directions (N, E, S, W)
Trick: Never Eat Soggy Waffles
🧭 Word Bank:
• N = North • E = East • S = South • W = West
Write the matching letter inside each box.
2 Map Symbols: Draw a line from each symbol to its real meaning
▲ Symbol A: Small Triangle
♣ Symbol B: Little Tree
≈ Symbol C: Wavy Lines
⌂ Symbol D: Little House
Flowing River / Water
Tall Rocky Mountain
Town / Cabin
Forest / Woods
3 Nature or Human-Made? Circle the correct choice for each item
1. Ocean
Natural Landform Human-Made
2. Wooden Bridge
Natural Landform Human-Made
3. Snowy Mountain
Natural Landform Human-Made
4. School Playground
Natural Landform Human-Made
4 Mini Map Quest: Use the mini map and compass to answer
Camp Lookout Map
≈ Lake
▲ Peak (North)
⛺ Campsite
♣ Forest
N ↑
⛵ Dock (East)
A. The Peak (▲) is at the top of the map. Which direction is that?
Answer:
B. What symbol is used to show a mountain peak?
Answer:
Landform Detective Answer Key Landform Detective Answer Key
Teacher Reference
Mapmaker Quest • Day 1 Assessment
Total Score: 10 Points
✓ Part 1: Compass Rose Directions (4 Points)
1 pt per correct direction
★
N
E
S
W
Teacher Notes:
Students may write the full word (North, East, South, West) or just the abbreviation letter (N, E, S, W). Both are 100% acceptable.
Common error: Mixing up West (left) and East (right). Remind them that "W" and "E" spell "WE" across the compass!
✓ Part 2: Map Symbols Match-Up (2 Points)
0.5 pt per correct line
▲ Triangle Symbol ➔ Tall Rocky Mountain
♣ Little Tree Symbol ➔ Forest / Woods
≈ Wavy Lines Symbol ➔ Flowing River / Water
⌂ Little House Symbol ➔ Town / Cabin
Key Takeaway for Students:
Symbols are simple drawings that stand for real things. They don't have to be perfect art—just clear enough so anyone reading the map can decode them.
✓ Part 3: Natural vs. Human-Made (2 Points)
0.5 pt each
1. Ocean Natural Landform
2. Wooden Bridge Human-Made
3. Snowy Mountain Natural Landform
4. School Playground Human-Made
✓ Part 4: Mini Map Quest (2 Points)
1 pt each
Question A: The Peak is at top. Which direction?
Answer: North (or "N", "Up")
Criteria: Accept "North" or "N". If student writes "Up", prompt them to use the cardinal word.
Question B: Symbol used to show a mountain peak?
Answer: Triangle (▲)
Criteria: Accept drawn triangle symbol ▲ or the word "Triangle".
Landform Scouts Teacher Guide Landform Scouts Teacher Guide
Mapmaker Quest • Day 1 Instructional Blueprint
Grade 1 • 45–50 Mins
Core Objectives
Identify N, S, E, W on a compass rose.
Match 4 symbols to map key meanings.
Contrast natural landforms vs. built places.
Key Vocabulary
Map: Bird's-eye view drawing.Compass Rose: Shows direction.Symbol: Picture that stands for a place.Landform: Natural feature on Earth.
Materials Needed
• Landform Scouts Slides
Step-by-Step Lesson Pacing
10 Min
1. Hook & The Eagle's Eye (Slides 1–2):
Ask students: "If an eagle looked down right now through the classroom ceiling, what would our desks look like?" Explain that a map is a special bird's-eye view that guides explorers safely across land and water.
12 Min
2. Compass Rose Chant & Secret Symbols (Slides 3–5):
Lead the kinetic chant: "Never Eat Soggy Waffles!" Have students point up for North, right for East, down for South, left for West. Model how drawing a real mountain takes too long, so mapmakers use a quick triangle symbol ▲ and list it in the Map Key decoder box.
15 Min
3. Landform Detective Practice (Worksheet):
Distribute the Landform Detective Worksheet. Guide Part 1 together as a whole group (writing N, E, S, W). Allow students to partner up or work independently on Parts 2, 3, and 4 while circulating to check for directional understanding.
08 Min
4. World Tour Teaser & Day 2 Preview (Slides 6–7):
Connect their symbols to real world wonders: the Pacific Ocean, Mount Everest, and the Amazon River. Announce: "Tomorrow, each of you becomes Master Cartographer to create your very own mystery island!"
Turn-and-Talk Discussion Prompts
"Why can't we just draw real photographs on every map?"
Prompt them to realize photos get crowded and symbols make maps clear and quick to read from far away.
"How is a mountain different from a tall skyscraper?"
Guide them to distinguish between natural landforms formed by the Earth vs. human-built structures.
Differentiation & Support
• Support / ELL: Use physical hand motions for N-E-S-W. Provide color-coded cards (Blue = water, Brown = mountain, Green = woods).
Island Atlas Slides Mapmaker Quest • Day 2
Capstone Project Day
Master Cartographer Studio
Island Atlas
Today you become the cartographer! You will chart a mystery island, craft your official map key, and guide an explorer partner across your uncharted world.
1. Draw Island Shape
2. Build 4 Symbols
3. Partner Expedition
Cartographer Rules Step 1 of 5
The 4 Must-Have Parts of Your Map
Every master explorer map in history includes these 4 pieces:
1. Island Name
Give your island a thrilling title! (e.g., Turtle Shell Island, Dragon Peak, Sunny Shore).
2. Compass Rose
Place N, E, S, and W in the compass badge so travelers know which direction to sail!
3. Map Key (Legend)
Draw 4 symbols in your decoder box and label what each symbol means.
4. Natural Landforms
Scatter mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests inside your island coastline.
Check off each item on your project sheet as you draw it!
Step by Step Step 2 of 5
Step 1: Draw Your Coastline
Remember what an island is? Land with water all around it!
Draw a big, bumpy shape in the middle of your page.
Add little wave ripples around the edges for the ocean.
Leave room in the corners for your Compass & Map Key!
Fun Island Shapes!
Islands can look like beans, crescents, stars, or dragon tails. What shape will yours be?
Tip: First sketch with pencil, then color with crayon!
Step by Step Step 3 of 5
Step 2: Add Landforms & Symbols
Pick at least 4 symbols to place on your island and into your Map Key:
▲▲▲
Rocky Mountains
Triangles in the North or West
≈≈≈
Flowing River
Winding line into the sea
♣♣♣
Jungle / Forest
Trees clustered together
✕ or ⛺
Secret Campsite
Where the explorers sleep!
Rule of the Key: Whatever symbol you draw on your island, copy it into your Map Key box !
World Connection Step 4 of 5
Connect to the Real World!
How do your island features compare to giant natural features on Earth?
Your Ocean vs. The Pacific
Is your island surrounded by a calm bay or a huge deep ocean?
Explorer Island Project Official Explorer Island Map
Master Cartographer Studio • Capstone Project
Cartographer:
Date:
Island Name:
Give your mystery island an exciting title!
≈ ≈ OCEAN WATERS ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ NORTH SHORELINE ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ OCEAN WATERS ≈ ≈
Compass Rose
★
Label N, E, S, W
Draw Island Coastline Here
≈ ≈ WEST HARBOR ≈ ≈ Draw at least 3 Landforms: Mountains ▲ • River ≈ • Jungle ♣ ≈ ≈ EAST HARBOR ≈ ≈
Official Map Key (Legend)
Draw symbol & write meaning
Symbol 1 Means:
Symbol 2 Means:
Symbol 3 Means:
Symbol 4 Means:
Explorer Check:
Island title written
Compass labeled N, E, S, W
3+ Landforms drawn
4 Symbols on Key
Ready for Safari!
World Safari Passport World Safari Explorer Passport
Mapmaker Quest • Comparing Places & Global Features
Explorer Name:
Part 1: My Island Profile
My Creation
My Island Name:
Main Landform:
Part 2: Compare My Island to Real World Wonders!
Earth Connections
🌊 1. Water: The Pacific Ocean (World's biggest body of water) Real Place: Touches USA & Asia
How is the water around your island similar to the real Pacific Ocean?
My water is:
Giant & Deep Ocean
Calm Winding River
Quiet Harbor
⛰️ 2. Mountain: Mount Everest (Tallest rocky peak on Earth) Real Place: Asia
Did you put high mountains on your island? Describe your mountain peak:
My mountain looks like:
🌴 3. Forest: The Amazon Rainforest (Biggest woods on Earth) Real Place: South America
What kinds of plants or animals live in your island's trees or jungle?
Living here:
Part 3: Partner Navigator Expedition
Trade Maps!
Partner's Name:
Their Island Name:
🧭 Compass Direction Mission:
Follow a path on your partner's map using cardinal directions!
I traveled:
North South East West
I arrived at:
Part 4: Explorer Unit Reflection
One important thing I learned about maps and the world is:
Junior
Island Atlas Teacher Guide Island Atlas Teacher Guide
Mapmaker Quest • Day 2 Capstone Facilitation
Grade 1 • 50–60 Mins
Project Goals
Draw island coastline with 3+ landforms.
Construct a 4-item Map Key.
Navigate partner maps with N, E, S, W.
World Connections
Compare student creations to real wonders: Pacific Ocean, Mount Everest, and the Amazon Rainforest.
Classroom Supplies
• Explorer Island Project (1/student)
Capstone Project Pacing (55 Mins)
10 Min
1. Cartographer Studio Launch (Slides 1–4):
Review the 4 essential parts of an explorer map: Island Title, Compass Rose, Map Key, and Landforms. Model on the board how to draw an organic coastline and match island symbols to the key box.
25 Min
2. Studio Cartography Work Time (Student Project Sheet):
Students sketch in pencil first, label their compass rose with N-E-S-W, establish 4 symbols in their Map Key, and color with crayons/pencils. Circulate and guide students to ensure symbols on the map match their legend.
12 Min
3. World Safari Passport & Peer Navigation (Slides 5–6):
Distribute the World Safari Passport. Students connect their landforms to Earth's wonders, then swap maps with a shoulder partner to execute a cardinal direction hike ("Go North from the beach to the mountain!").
08 Min
4. Explorer Gallery Walk & Stamp Ceremony:
Display finished island maps on student desks. Students walk quietly with their passports to admire peer maps. Award the "Junior Cartographer" seal to each student!
Project Scoring Rubric (4 Standards • 12 Points Total)
1. Compass Rose (3 pts)
Correctly labels N, E, S, W in clockwise order from top.
2. Map Key (3 pts)
Includes 4 distinct symbols with clear labels explaining what they mean.
3. Landforms (3 pts)
Draws clear coastline and at least 3 natural features (river, mountain, forest).
4. Safari Passport (3 pts)
Compares features to world wonders and tests partner map with directions.
Support & Accommodations
Provide pre-cut sticky icons or stencil shapes for students struggling with fine motor drawing. Scribe island names and landform labels as needed for developing writers.
Extension Challenges
Encourage advanced students to add a scale bar (e.g., 1 inch = 10 explorer paces) or write a 2-sentence pirate adventure story guiding a traveler to hidden treasure.
