Public learning track
Map Skills and Massachusetts Geography
10 lessons
Goal
Use essential map tools and spatial thinking to locate Massachusetts, explore local communities, and identify key geographic features.
10 lessons
0 of 10 done
- Reading Maps: Using Titles and SymbolsUp next
- Finding Directions with a Compass RoseNot started yet
- Measuring Distance with a Map ScaleNot started yet
- Locating Your Town on a Massachusetts MapNot started yet
- Identifying Local Geographic Features in MassachusettsNot started yet
- Massachusetts Regions: Coastal, Central, and WesternNot started yet
- Exploring Massachusetts Bays and CapesNot started yet
- Major Rivers of MassachusettsNot started yet
- Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts CommunitiesNot started yet
- Creating a Community Map with a LegendNot started yet
Standards Covered
- 3.T1.1Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5On a current map of Massachusetts, use cardinal directions, map scales, legends, and titles to locate and describe the city or town where the school students attend is located, its local geographic features and historic landmarks, and their significance.
- 3.T2.1Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5On a physical map of North America, use cardinal directions, map scales, legends, and titles to locate the Northeast region and identify important physical features (e.g., rivers, lakes, ocean shoreline, capes and bays, and mountain ranges).
- 3.T2.3.dMassachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5contributions of a tribal group from the area of the school (e.g., language, literature, arts, trade routes, food such as corn, beans, and squash, useful items such as baskets, canoes, wampum, and useful knowledge of medicinal plants, words such as powwow and moccasin, and many names for waterways, hills, mountains, islands and place names, such as the Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers, Mount Wachusett, the Taconic Range, Nantucket, Natick, Seekonk, Agawam, Chicopee)
Curriculum Framework
2nd Grade · Social Studies · US-MA-SS
1
10 lessons
Map Skills and Massachusetts Geography
Use essential map tools and spatial thinking to locate Massachusetts, explore local communities, and identify key geographic features.
2
10 lessons
Geography of New England and North America
Locate the Northeast region, identify the six New England states, and analyze major physical landforms and bodies of water.
3
11 lessons
Native Peoples of Massachusetts and New England
Understand the history, culture, seasonal ways of life, territories, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous nations in Massachusetts and New England.
4
10 lessons
Massachusetts Towns and Cities: Past and Present
Investigate how local communities were founded, how diverse populations shaped them over time, and how historical inquiry helps us learn about community life.
5
10 lessons
Local Government and Civic Life in Massachusetts
Explain why communities need government, how city and town governments in Massachusetts are organized, and how public services are funded.
6
9 lessons
Active Citizenship and Community Action
Explore how citizens participate in civic life, stay informed, voice opinions at public meetings, and volunteer to improve neighborhoods.
7
10 lessons
European Exploration of the Northeast
Trace early European voyages across the Atlantic, evaluate explorers' motives and maps, and analyze first contacts with Indigenous peoples.
8
10 lessons
The Plymouth Colony, Pilgrims, and Native Communities
Analyze the Pilgrims' journey, the Mayflower Compact, colonial settlement challenges, and complex alliances and relationships with the Wampanoag.