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Midwest Map Explorers • Sequence • Lenny.com

Social Studies Social Studies Practices Location Words Maps Order Events Chronology and Causation Evaluating Sources Historical Thinking Geography, Humans, & the Environment American Symbols and Landmarks Cities States State Capitals Regions of the United States Geographic Skills Physical Geography Human Geography Regional Geography Geography of Africa Geography of Asia Geography of Europe Geography of Oceania Geography of the Americas Society and Environment of Europe Society and Environment of Asia Society and Environment of The Americas Society and Environment of the Middle East Society and Environment of Africa History Prehistory Comparing Ancient River Civilizations Ancient Mesopotamia Ancient Egypt and Kush Ancient South Asia Early China Greece Rome and the Byzantine Empire Ancient World History Native Peoples of North America Native Peoples of Mesoamerica and South America African Empires Medieval Asia Medieval Europe The Silk Road Medieval History Islamic Empires World Religions Renaissance Period Age of Exploration The Thirteen Colonies The American Revolution US History Early Republic Founding of the United States US History Antebellum US Civil War Reconstruction Period The Gilded Age US Imperialism World Imperialism World War I US History 1920s Great Depression World War II The Cold War US History 1950-60s US History 1960s-70s World History 20th Century Contemporary US History Contemporary World History Holidays Civics and Government Citizenship Government Foundations The Constitution US Constitution Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch State and Local Political Participation Public Policy Political Systems Power and Authority Social Movements Defining Deviance Theories of Deviance Crime and Criminal Justice Economics Basic Economic Principles Supply and Demand What is Money Economic Fundamentals Microeconomics Macroeconomics Banking and Finance Economic Systems Global Economics Corporations and Power The Changing Workplace Unemployment and Labor Class and Inequality Social Mobility Global Inequality Psychology History of Psychology Psychology as a Science Brain and Nervous System Neuroscience and Behavior Genetics and Behavior Sleep and Consciousness Sensory Processes Perceptual Organization Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning Cognitive Learning Memory Processes Thinking and Problem Solving Language and Cognition Theories of Motivation Stress and Coping Prenatal and Infant Development Childhood Development Adolescent Development Adulthood and Aging Self and Identity Social Cognition Social Influence Attraction and Relationships Group Behavior Prejudice and Discrimination Anxiety and Mood Disorders Clinical Psychology Forensic Psychology Philosophy & Ethics Introduction to Philosophy Major Philosophers & Ideas Mind and Body Problem Free Will vs Determinism Ethics & Morality Religion & Philosophy Political Philosophy

Midwest Map Explorers

A comprehensive Grade 3 social studies unit covering Indiana academic standards 3.G.1, 3.G.3, 3.G.4, and 3.G.5. Students master globe navigation, coordinate grids, regional concepts, and the states, lakes, and rivers of the Midwest.

Globe and Grid Navigators

Students explore hemispheres, cardinal and intermediate directions, map scales, and coordinate grid systems. They practice locating landmarks and communities in Indiana using simple alphanumeric grids.

Region Detectives

Students investigate what defines a geographic region by distinguishing between physical characteristics and cultural characteristics. They explore the climate, landforms, industries, and heritage of the Midwest.

Midwest Waterways and States

Students identify and label the twelve Midwestern states, the five Great Lakes, and major rivers including the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash. They apply coordinate grids and directional tools to chart regional routes.

Midwest Map Explorers

A comprehensive Grade 3 social studies unit covering Indiana academic standards 3.G.1, 3.G.3, 3.G.4, and 3.G.5. Students master globe navigation, coordinate grids, regional concepts, and the states, lakes, and rivers of the Midwest.

Globe Navigators Slides

Indiana Social Studies • Standard 3.G.3 & 3.G.4

Lesson 1 of 3

Globe & Grid Navigators

Unlocking hemispheres, mastering compass directions, and using coordinate grids to explore Indiana and beyond!

4 Hemispheres 8 Directions Map Grids

Get your navigator eyes ready! Indiana Map Explorers

Earth Geometry

The Four Hemispheres

Equator (Latitude)

The imaginary line dividing Earth horizontally into:

Northern Hemisphere

Home to North America, the USA & Indiana!

Southern Hemisphere

Lands south of the equator (like Antarctica)

Prime Meridian (Longitude)

The imaginary line running from pole to pole dividing Earth into:

Western Hemisphere

Includes all of North & South America!

Eastern Hemisphere

Includes Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia

Navigator Fact: Indiana is in both the Northern and Western Hemispheres!

Finding Your Way

Compass Rose & Directions

Main 4 Points

Cardinal Directions

North (N)

Toward Lake Michigan

South (S)

Toward Ohio River

East (E)

Toward Ohio

West (W)

Toward Illinois

Memory Trick: Never Eat Soggy Waffles!

In-Between Points

Intermediate Directions

Northeast (NE)

Between North & East

Northwest (NW)

Between North & West

Southeast (SE)

Between South & East

Southwest (SW)

Between South & West

Notice: North or South always comes first in the name!

Standard 3.G.4: Determining direction from one place to another Keep exploring!

Measuring Real World Space

Map Scales & Measuring Distance

1

What is a Scale?

Maps shrink the real world so it fits on paper! The map scale shows the relationship between map distance and real ground miles.

2

How to Read It

Look at the scale bar on the map:
1 inch = 50 miles

3

Calculate Travel

If two cities are 2 inches apart on the map, multiply:
2 × 50 = 100 miles!

Scale Bar Rule: Always use your ruler or finger strip to measure!

Indiana Standard 3.G.3

Mastering Map Coordinate Grids

Step 1: Read the Letter (Columns)

Look across the columns: Column A, B, or C.

Step 2: Read the Number (Rows)

Look down the rows: Row 1, 2, or 3.

Step 3: Find Where They Meet

Where the letter and number intersect is your coordinate box, like (B, 2)!

Indiana Community Grid

A

B

C

1

Gary

South Bend

Ft. Wayne

2

Lafayette

Indy ★

Muncie

3

Terre Haute

Bloomington

Columbus

Where is Indianapolis? In box (B, 2)!

Ready for the Blank Map Challenge! Next: Practice Slide

Class Challenge

Can You Label Indiana & Our Neighbors?

Mystery Map Locations Match Letters A–F

Wisconsin

[ A ] Great Lake

[ B ] State (North)

[ C ] State (West)

★ INDIANA Home State

[ D ] State (East)

[ E ] Southern Border River

[ F ] State (South)

Call out the correct name for each letter!

Word Bank

Michigan

Ohio

Illinois

Kentucky

Lake Michigan

Ohio River

Quick Check Clues:

• North: Lake Michigan & Michigan

• East: Ohio | West: Illinois

• South: Ohio River & Kentucky

Companion Worksheet: Indiana Neighbors Map Worksheet Classroom Ready

Navigator Grid Worksheet

Indiana Social Studies • Standard 3.G.3 & 3.G.4 Score: _____ / 20

Globe & Grid Navigators

Name:

Date:

1

Part 1: Earth's Hemispheres

A hemisphere is half of the Earth. Read each clue below and fill in the blanks using the word bank.

Northern • Southern • Western • Eastern • Equator • Prime Meridian

The imaginary line that circles Earth halfway between the North and South Poles is the .
The imaginary line running from pole to pole through Greenwich, England is the .
Our home state of Indiana is located in the and Hemispheres.

2

Part 2: Compass Rose Navigator

Fill in all 8 points of the compass rose diagram below (4 Cardinal directions and 4 Intermediate directions).

N

NW

▲

NE

W

E

SW

▼

SE

S

4. List the four Cardinal Directions:

5. List the four Intermediate Directions:

Quick Navigator Challenges

6. If you travel from Indiana towards the Atlantic Ocean, you are heading:

7. If you travel halfway between South and West, you are heading:

Grade 3 Indiana Social Studies: Geography Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Map Grid on Page 2 →

Indiana Communities Coordinate Grid

Standard 3.G.3

Use the coordinate grid map of Indiana communities below to answer questions 8 through 15.

Map of Indiana Cities & Towns

Scale: 1 Grid Square = 50 Miles

	Column A	Column B	Column C	Column D
Row 1
Gary

(Lake Michigan)

|

South Bend

St. Joseph River

|

Elkhart

Rail Museum

|

Fort Wayne

3 Rivers Point

| | Row 2 |

Valparaiso

Dunes Gateway

|

Lafayette

Globe Distance Worksheet

Indiana Academic Standard 3.G.4 • Essential Skill Score: _____ / 20

Globe Distance & Direction Navigator

Name:

Date:

i

Navigating on a Globe

A globe is a spherical three-dimensional model of Earth. Because Earth is round, directions and distances curve! Lines of latitude and longitude help us determine cardinal and intermediate directions from one hemisphere to another.

1 Part 1: Determining Direction Across the Globe

Imagine you have your classroom globe in front of you. Place your finger on Indiana (North America) and determine the direction to reach each destination:

1. To travel from Indiana straight down to the continent of South America:

Direction:

2. To cross the Atlantic Ocean from Indiana toward Europe:

Direction:

3. To head toward the freezing ice of the North Pole:

Direction:

4. To travel across the Pacific Ocean toward Japan and Asia:

Direction:

2 Part 2: The String & Scale Globe Method

Hands-on Tool

How Geographers Measure Globe Distance:

Flat rulers cannot bend around a globe. Geographers stretch a piece of string tightly between two cities, mark the string, and lay it flat against a globe scale ruler (where 1 inch of string = 1,000 miles on Earth).

5. Flight to London, England:

The string measures 4 inches from Indiana to London.

Real distance: miles

6. Flight to Tokyo, Japan:

The string measures 6.5 inches from Indiana to Tokyo.

Real distance: miles

Standard 3.G.4 • Direction and Distance on Globes and Maps Page 1 of 2 • Flat Map Variety on Page 2 →

Comparing Distance on Different Maps

Standard 3.G.4

Geographers use different maps for different tasks. Use the two map styles below to calculate directions and distances.

Map 1: Indiana Dunes Park Trail Map (Local Scale)

Scale: 1 inch = 1/2 Mile (0.5 mi)

Lake Michigan Shore
(North Point)

Mt. Baldy Sand Dune
(High Point)

Nature Center
(Start Here ★)

Campground Marsh
(South Point)

7. Direction from Nature Center to Lake Shore:

8. Distance: Trail is 2 inches on map. Miles:

Indiana Neighbors Map Worksheet

Indiana Academic Standards • 3.G.1 & 3.G.3 Score: _____ / 20

Indiana & Surrounding States Map

Name:

Date:

Word Bank: States & Waterways Use each label on the blank map below

Illinois (IL)

★ Indiana (IN)

Michigan (MI)

Ohio (OH)

Kentucky (KY)

Wisconsin (WI)

Lake Michigan

Ohio River

Wabash River

Map: Indiana & Neighbors (Label the Boxes) Write state/water name in each numbered box

1. State (Northwest):

2. Great Lake:

3. State (North):

4. State (West Neighbor):

Borders west of Indiana

5. ★ OUR STATE: ★

Capital: Indianapolis

6. State (East Neighbor):

Borders east of Indiana

7. Indiana State River (flows SW across state):

8. Southern Water Border River:

9. State to the South (Across Ohio River):

Label the 4 Cardinal directions:

Top: N

Bottom: S

Left: W

Right: E

Indiana Social Studies Grade 3 • Geography Tools Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Analysis on Page 2 →

Indiana Neighbor Detective & Skills

Standard 3.G.1 & 3.G.3

Use your labeled map from Page 1 to answer the questions and complete the state facts.

1 Part 1: Direction Clues

1. If you leave Indiana and travel directly East, which state do you enter?

2. If you drive directly West on I-70 or I-74, which state do you enter?

3. Which neighbor borders Indiana directly to the North?

4. Which state lies directly South across the Ohio River?

5. Which Great Lake gives Indiana a port for shipping in the Northwest?

2 Part 2: State Capitals & Abbreviations

Match capital cities from the box

Springfield • Indianapolis • Lansing • Columbus • Frankfort

State	Postal Code	Capital City
★ Indiana	IN
Illinois	IL
Michigan	MI
Ohio	OH

Region Detectives Slides

Indiana Social Studies • Standard 3.G.5

Lesson 2 of 3

Region Detectives

What makes a region special? Discover how physical landforms and human culture connect to shape the American Midwest!

Physical Characteristics Cultural Characteristics Midwest Heartland

Put on your detective hat! Investigating Regions

Geographic Concept

What is a Region?

?

Geographer's Definition:

A region is an area of Earth that shares common features that make it different from surrounding areas.

Physical Clues (Nature)

Landforms, water bodies, climate, soils, plants, and wildlife created by nature.

Cultural Clues (People)

Jobs, industries, foods, architecture, holidays, languages, and history created by humans.

Standard 3.G.5: Understanding physical and cultural characteristics Shared Traits = One Region

Nature's Fingerprint

Midwest Physical Characteristics

Plains & Fertile Soil

The Midwest has flat, gently rolling plains shaped by ancient glaciers. Deep, dark topsoil makes it the world's finest cropland!

Great Lakes & Rivers

Surrounded by five massive freshwater Great Lakes and major waterways like the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash Rivers.

Four True Seasons

Hot, sunny summers for crop growing, colorful autumns, snowy cold winters, and rainy springs that feed our fields and forests.

Physical features are created by nature, not by humans! Glaciers, Rivers & Plains

Human Heritage

Midwest Cultural Characteristics

"America's Breadbasket"

Generations of farming families grow corn, soybeans, and wheat, and raise livestock that feed millions across the globe.

Manufacturing Power

From auto factories and steel mills to medical devices, Midwesterners are world-renowned makers, builders, and inventors.

Traditions & Community

Famous 4-H county fairs, auto racing (Indy 500!), basketball madness, Friday night lights, and warm "Midwestern hospitality."

Cultural traits are created by the people who live and work here! Farming, Building, Celebrating

Indiana in the Region

Indiana & Surrounding Midwest States

Midwest Neighbor Map

Compass Aligned

Wisconsin

🌊 Lake Michigan

Michigan (MI)

Illinois (IL) West Neighbor

Midwest Traits Worksheet

Indiana Social Studies • Standard 3.G.5 Score: _____ / 20

Region Detectives: Midwest Traits

Name:

Date:

!

Detective Briefing: Key Definitions

Physical Characteristics:

Features created by nature, including landforms, bodies of water, climate, and soil.

Cultural Characteristics:

Features created by people, including farming, industries, foods, traditions, and music.

1 Part 1: Classify the Regional Evidence

Write "Physical" or "Cultural" in Column 2

Midwest Evidence Clue	Type (Physical / Cultural)	Why? (Nature or Human-Made)
1. Five massive Great Lakes holding fresh water		Created by
2. Indiana County Fairs with livestock & 4-H clubs		Organized by
3. Flat, fertile soil left behind by melting glaciers		Formed by
4. Car manufacturing factories building automobiles		Built by
5. Cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers		Part of Earth's
6. Eating fried pork tenderloin sandwiches & sweet corn		Midwestern food

Detective Rule of Thumb:

If it was here millions of years before humans existed (like a river, rock, or weather pattern), it is physical. If people planned it, built it, cooked it, or celebrated it, it is cultural!

Grade 3 Indiana Social Studies: Regions Page 1 of 2 • Continue Case File on Page 2 →

Case File: How Land Shapes Culture

Standard 3.G.5

Geographers know that physical geography directly influences how people live, work, and build their communities.

CASE 1

Why is the Midwest known as "America's Breadbasket"?

The Midwest region has very flat land, deep fertile soil, and warm rainy summers (physical characteristics). How did these natural features lead to the Midwest's huge agricultural culture?

CASE 2

Waterways and Industry

Major cities like Gary (Indiana), Chicago (Illinois), and Cleveland (Ohio) grew along the Great Lakes. Explain how living next to deep water helped these cities build steel mills and shipping ports:

CASE 3

Hoosier Connection: "The Crossroads of America"

Midwest Map Slides

Indiana Social Studies • Standard 3.G.1 & 3.G.3

Lesson 3 of 3

Midwest Waterways & States

Chart the 12 Midwestern states, unlock the secret of the Great Lakes (H-O-M-E-S), and journey down our mighty rivers!

12 States 5 Great Lakes Ohio, Wabash & Mississippi

Ready to map the Midwest? Atlas Explorers

Geography of the Heartland

The 12 Midwestern States

Great Lakes States (6)

States bordering or closely tied to the Great Lakes:

★ Indiana (IN)

Cap: Indianapolis

Illinois (IL)

Cap: Springfield

Michigan (MI)

Cap: Lansing

Ohio (OH)

Cap: Columbus

Wisconsin (WI)

Cap: Madison

Minnesota (MN)

Cap: St. Paul

Great Plains States (6)

States west of the Mississippi River:

Iowa (IA)

Cap: Des Moines

Missouri (MO)

Cap: Jefferson City

North Dakota (ND)

Cap: Bismarck

South Dakota (SD)

Cap: Pierre

Nebraska (NE)

Cap: Lincoln

Kansas (KS)

Cap: Topeka

Who borders Indiana? Michigan (North), Ohio (East), Kentucky (South - non-Midwest), Illinois (West)!

Freshwater Giants

The 5 Great Lakes: H-O-M-E-S

H

Lake Huron

Second largest Great Lake with over 30,000 islands!

Between MI & Canada

O

Lake Ontario

The easternmost lake; drains into St. Lawrence River to the ocean.

Smallest surface area

M

Lake Michigan

Touches Northwest Indiana (Indiana Dunes National Park)!

Only lake 100% in USA

E

Lake Erie

Shallowest and warmest lake, famous for walleye fishing.

North of Ohio

S

Lake Superior

The deepest and largest freshwater lake by surface area on Earth!

Farthest north

Remember the word H - O - M - E - S to name every Great Lake! 20% of Earth's Fresh Water

Water Highways of the Midwest

Major Rivers to Know

Mississippi River

The giant spine of the Midwest! Flows over 2,300 miles from Minnesota down to the Gulf of Mexico, carrying cargo barges.

Midwest Atlas Worksheet

Indiana Social Studies • Standard 3.G.1 & 3.G.3 Score: _____ / 25

Midwest Regional Atlas: The 12 States

Name:

Date:

Midwest State Word Bank (12 States)

Illinois (IL) ★ Indiana (IN) Iowa (IA) Kansas (KS) Michigan (MI) Minnesota (MN) Missouri (MO) Nebraska (NE) North Dakota (ND) Ohio (OH) South Dakota (SD) Wisconsin (WI)

Midwest Spatial Diagram (Compass Aligned) Use the relative positions to identify each state below

#1 (NW Plains)

North Dakota

Cap: Bismarck

#2 (Headwaters)

Minnesota

Cap: St. Paul

#3 (Dairyland)

Wisconsin

Cap: Madison

#4 (Two Peninsulas)

Michigan

Cap: Lansing

#5 (Black Hills)

South Dakota

Cap: Pierre

#6 (Between 2 Rivers)

Iowa

Cap: Des Moines

#7 (Prairie State)

Illinois

Cap: Springfield

#8 (Buckeye State)

Ohio

Cap: Columbus

#9 (Cornhusker)

Nebraska

Cap: Lincoln

#10 (Sunflower State)

Kansas

Cap: Topeka

#11 (Gateway Arch)

Missouri

Cap: Jefferson City

#12 (HOME STATE ★)

Indiana

Cap: Indianapolis

Indiana Neighbor Detective

1. State directly EAST of Indiana:

2. State directly WEST of Indiana:

3. State directly NORTH of Indiana:

4. River forming SOUTHERN border:

Indiana Social Studies Grade 3 • Midwest Atlas Page 1 of 2 • Waterways & Navigation on Page 2 →

Midwest Waterways & Navigation

Standard 3.G.1 & 3.G.4

Label the Great Lakes (H-O-M-E-S), trace the major river highways, and navigate the Midwest coordinate grid.

1 Part 1: The Great Lakes (H - O - M - E - S)

Write the full name of each Great Lake:

H

Lake:

O

Lake:

M

Borders Indiana!

E

Lake:

S

Lake:

2 Part 2: Major River Match-Up

1. Indiana's official state river that flows across the heart of the state:

River:

2. The longest river that runs north-to-south through the Midwest down to the Gulf:

Midwest Teacher Guide

Indiana Academic Standards • 3.G.1, 3.G.3, 3.G.4, 3.G.5 Educator Resource

Midwest Map Explorers: Teacher Guide

Unit Duration: 3-5 Days

Unit Standards Alignment

3.G.1 (E): Label a map of the Midwest: 12 states, Great Lakes, and major rivers (Mississippi, Ohio, Wabash).

3.G.3 (E): Identify local and regional communities using simple coordinate grid systems.

3.G.4 (E): Identify 4 hemispheres, cardinal & intermediate directions; determine direction and distance.

3.G.5: Explain that regions share similar physical (nature) and cultural (human) characteristics.

★ Hands-On Kinesthetic Learning Stations

Station 1: 3D Salt-Dough Topographic Midwest Map

Tactile & Visual

Materials: Salt-dough or modeling clay, heavy cardstock, blue yarn (for rivers), blue glass gems (for Great Lakes), toothpick flag labels.

Procedure: Students sculpt the flat Central Lowlands and southern Indiana hills. Press blue yarn into the dough for the Wabash River and Ohio River, mold the 5 Great Lakes, and plant toothpick flags into all 12 Midwest states.

Station 2: Floor Grid Navigator Challenge

Kinesthetic

Materials: Painter's tape on classroom floor (4×4 grid labeled Columns A–D, Rows 1–4), laminated town/state name placards.

Procedure: A student "Pilot" stands on (B, 3) Indianapolis. The "Navigator" draws a mission card (e.g., "Travel 2 squares North and 1 square East to Fort Wayne"). The Pilot physically walks the route and shouts the compass heading and arrival coordinate!

Station 3: Physical vs. Cultural Mystery Bag Sort

Inquiry

Materials: 8 brown bags containing realia (soil jar, toy tractor, limestone rock, basketball, toy barge, ears of corn, miniature steel bolt, snowflake cut-out).

Procedure: Student pairs pull an object, record whether it represents a physical characteristic (nature) or a cultural characteristic (human ingenuity), and justify how it connects to the Midwest.

Suggested Pacing:

Day 1: Lesson 1 Slides + Navigator Grid Worksheet + Floor Grid Game

Day 2: Lesson 2 Slides + Midwest Traits Worksheet + Mystery Bag Sort

Day 3: Lesson 3 Slides + Midwest Atlas Worksheet + 3D Dough Map

Midwest Map Explorers • Grade 3 Teacher Guide Page 1 of 2 • Master Answer Keys on Page 2 →

Midwest Voyage Worksheet

Indiana Academic Standard 3.G.1 & 3.G.4 Score: _____ / 20

Midwest Voyage: Direction & Distance

Name:

Date:

Expedition Mission: Regional Transport Navigator

Scale: 1 Inch = 100 Miles

You are the chief navigator for a Midwest shipping company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Your team needs to deliver goods across states, lakes, and rivers. Use the scale ruler and compass rose to determine the direction and distance for each leg of the journey!

Regional Distance Chart

1 inch = 100 miles (1/2 inch = 50 miles)

Chicago, IL

Lake Michigan Port

← 2.5 inches (East) →

Detroit, MI

Lake Erie / Huron Hub

★ Indianapolis, Indiana (Home Base)

The Crossroads of America

St. Louis, MO

Mississippi River Port

← 3.0 inches (East along Ohio River) →

Cincinnati, OH

Ohio River Border

1 Part 1: The Midwest Voyage Travel Log

Travel Leg	Start → Destination	Compass Direction	Map Inches	Calculated Miles
Leg 1	Indianapolis → Chicago	Northwest (NW)	1.8 inches	1.8 × 100 = mi
Leg 2	Chicago → Detroit		2.5 inches	2.5 × 100 = mi
Leg 3	Indianapolis → St. Louis		2.4 inches	2.4 × 100 = mi
Leg 4	St. Louis → Cincinnati		3.0 inches	3.0 × 100 = mi

Grade 3 Indiana Social Studies: Midwest Geography Page 1 of 2 • River Roadways on Page 2 →

Water Highway vs. Highway Route

Standard 3.G.1 & 3.G.4

Barges move heavy freight along Midwest rivers, while semi-trucks take interstate highways. Compare their directions and distances!

2 Part 2: The Grain Barge Journey down the Wabash & Ohio Rivers

Scale: 1 in = 50 miles

A grain barge leaves Lafayette, Indiana loaded with soybeans. It floats southwest down the Wabash River (4 inches on map), then enters the Ohio River and flows southwest to the Mississippi River (3 inches on map).

5. Wabash River Leg Distance:

4 inches on map × 50 miles per inch

Wabash River

|

Kokomo

Wildcat Creek

|

Marion

Mississinewa

| | Row 3 |

Terre Haute

Crossroads City

|

★ Indianapolis

(State Capital)

|

Muncie

White River

|

Richmond

East Gateway

| | Row 4 |

Vincennes

Historic Capital

|

Bloomington

Limestone Country

|

Columbus

Architecture

|

New Albany

(Ohio River)

|

8. What are the coordinates of Indianapolis (★)?

Coordinate:

9. Which city is located at coordinate (D, 1)?

City Name:

10. Name the community found in box (A, 4):

Community:

11. What direction would you travel from Indy to Gary?

Direction:

Distance & Route Investigation

Fort Wayne is in Column D, and Gary is in Column A along Row 1. If each grid square is 50 miles, approximately how far apart are they?

Show math: Total Distance: miles

Describe the route a truck driver would take to travel from Bloomington to Richmond:

Indiana Social Studies Grade 3 • Globe & Grid Navigators Page 2 of 2 • Assessment Complete

2 × 0.5 mi = miles

Map 2: Indiana State Highway Travel Map (Regional Scale)

Scale: 1 inch = 60 Miles

South Bend

North Border

← 2.5 in →

Indianapolis ★

Central Hub

← 3.0 in →

Evansville

Ohio River (South)

9. What direction is Evansville from Indianapolis?

10. Calculate distance: 3.0 in × 60 miles =

miles

11. Geographer's Thinking Question:

Why does a park trail map need a scale of 1 inch = 1/2 mile, while a whole state highway map uses 1 inch = 60 miles?

Grade 3 Indiana Social Studies: Geography Tools Page 2 of 2 • Scale Mastery Complete

Kentucky

KY

Map Coloring Mission

Turn back to your map on Page 1 and use colored pencils to color each area:

★ Indiana: Yellow / Gold

🌊 Lakes & Rivers: Light Blue

🌲 Michigan: Green

🌾 Illinois: Orange

🏙️ Ohio: Red / Coral

🐎 Kentucky: Purple

Indiana Social Studies Grade 3 • Geography Tools Page 2 of 2 • Map Complete

★ INDIANA Indianapolis

Ohio (OH) East Neighbor

〰️ Ohio River (Southern Water Border) 〰️

Kentucky (KY) lies across the river to the South

Indiana is at the geographical center of the Eastern Midwest!

Why Our Neighbors Matter

Water Connections

Lake Michigan connects us to Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan shipping.

Shared Farmland

Indiana and Illinois share rich soil and massive corn & soybean yields.

"Crossroads of America"

Interstates connect Indiana directly to every neighbor in all 4 directions!

Standard 3.G.5: Physical & Cultural Region

Now open your Midwest Traits Worksheet! Detective Mission Awaits

Indiana's official state motto is "The Crossroads of America." Explain whether this nickname comes from Indiana's physical location, its cultural highway and railway systems, or both. Provide evidence!

Indiana Social Studies Grade 3 • Region Detectives Page 2 of 2 • Investigation Complete

Divides eastern Midwest states from the western plains!

Ohio River

Forms Indiana's entire southern border with Kentucky! Merges into the Mississippi River at Cairo, Illinois.

Key historic route for pioneers and riverboats!

Wabash River

Indiana's official state river! Flows 503 miles across Indiana and forms part of our southwestern border with Illinois.

Celebrated in our state song: "On the Banks of the Wabash"!

Standard 3.G.1: Identifying major rivers, lakes, and the Great Lakes Flowing to the Sea

Your Atlas Challenge

Putting It All Together!

Your Mission on the Midwest Atlas Worksheet:

Step 1

Label the 12 States

Start with home state Indiana (IN) and work outward to our neighbors.

Step 2

Color H-O-M-E-S

Find Lake Michigan at Indiana's northern tip, then label the other 4 Great Lakes.

Step 3

Trace the Rivers

Trace the Ohio River on Indiana's south, the Wabash through Indiana, and the Mississippi to the west.

Get your pencils and colored markers ready! Midwest Map Masters

River:

3. The wide river separating southern Indiana from Kentucky:

River:

3 Part 3: Midwest Regional Grid Navigator

Scale: 1 Grid Square = 150 Miles

Column A (West)

Column B (Central)

Column C (East)

Row 1 (North)

North Dakota

Lake Superior

Lake Huron / MI

Row 2 (Middle)

Nebraska / Iowa

Lake Michigan

Indiana ★

Row 3 (South)

Kansas / Missouri

Mississippi River

Ohio River / Ohio

4. What is located at coordinate (C, 2)?

5. What coordinate box holds Lake Superior?

6. Direction from Indiana to North Dakota:

7. Distance: 2 squares west of Indiana:

Indiana Social Studies Grade 3 • Midwest Atlas Worksheet Page 2 of 2 • Map Mastery Complete

Master Answer Keys & Differentiation

Grading Reference

Quick-scoring answer solutions for all companion student worksheets in this unit.

Navigator Grid Key

1. Equator

2. Prime Meridian

3. Northern, Western

4. Cardinal: North, South, East, West

5. Interm: NE, NW, SE, SW

6. East

7. Southwest (SW)

8. Indy: (B, 3)

9. (D, 1): Fort Wayne

10. (A, 4): Vincennes

11. Northwest (NW)

12. Distance: 3 squares × 50 mi = 150 miles

13. Route: Travel northeast to Indy, then east to Richmond.

Midwest Traits Key

1. Great Lakes: Physical (Nature/Glaciers)

2. 4-H Fairs: Cultural (People/Community)

3. Fertile Soil: Physical (Nature/Glaciers)

4. Auto Plant: Cultural (People/Industry)

5. 4 Seasons: Physical (Nature/Climate)

6. Pork/Corn: Cultural (Food tradition)

Case 1 (Breadbasket): Rich soil and flat land allowed farmers to grow large grain crops.

Case 2 (Waterways): Lakes and rivers allowed ships to transport raw iron, coal, and finished steel.

Case 3 (Crossroads): Both: physical central location + human highway/rail networks.

Midwest Atlas Key

Neighbors:

1. East: Ohio

2. West: Illinois

3. North: Michigan

4. South: Ohio River

HOMES Lakes:

H: Huron, O: Ontario, M: Michigan, E: Erie, S: Superior

Rivers:

1. Wabash River

2. Mississippi River

3. Ohio River

Grid: 4. Indiana, 5. (B, 1), 6. Northwest, 7. 300 miles

Differentiation & Universal Support

Support (ELL / IEP):

Provide pre-labeled word banks with state abbreviations. Use color coding (blue for physical waterways, green for cultural farms). Pair with a peer buddy during floor grid navigation.

On-Level Students:

Complete all worksheets independently. Trace river routes with colored pencils. Explain the connection between physical features and cultural industries in written complete sentences.

Advanced / Extension:

Calculate multi-leg road trips using map scales. Research how the St. Lawrence Seaway connects Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean. Design a tourist postcard for an Indiana landmark.

Midwest Map Explorers • Grade 3 Teacher Guide & Key Page 2 of 2 • Teacher Guide Complete

Total: miles

6. Ohio River Leg Distance:

3 inches on map × 50 miles per inch

Total: miles

7. What is the total river distance traveled by the grain barge?

miles

3 Part 3: Map Detective Analysis

8. Direction Check:

The Ohio River forms Indiana's southern border. If a barge travels downriver from Cincinnati, Ohio toward Mount Vernon, Indiana, which general direction is it moving?

9. Winding Rivers vs Straight Roads:

A semi-truck drives on Interstate 65 from Indianapolis to Louisville (Kentucky) in 115 miles. But traveling by boat along the rivers takes over 200 miles! Explain why river distance is often longer than highway distance:

Indiana Social Studies Grade 3 • Midwest Voyage Worksheet Page 2 of 2 • Expedition Complete

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