Maps of Pennsylvania - Teacher Lesson Plans

These lesson plans are designed to accompany the Digital Shaded-Relief Map of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Land Cover Map, both published by the United States Geological Survey and the Pennsylvania Geological Survey.  They were written by experienced educators who created activities that ask students to begin with information provided by the maps and to do additional research to learn about how, where, and why our state has developed as it has.  Although the lessons list suggested grade levels, you are encouraged to read through all of them, since each contains ideas that may be adapted to any grade.  You will also find that they are appropriate for cross-curricular units in science and social studies.

Project Information

Information about the Digital Shaded Relief and Land Cover Maps

Materials and obtaining them

Lesson Plans on the Shaded Relief and Land Cover Maps of Pennsylvania

Elementary

Objectives for elementary school lessons
Lesson 1 - Introduction to Maps
Lesson 2 - Latitude and Longitude
Lesson 3 - Finding Locations
Lesson 4 - Plate Tectonics
Lesson 5 - Finding Regions
Lesson 6 - Coal

Middle School

Middle School lesson plan

High School

High School lesson plan

State Parks

State Parks lesson plan