A Map Is Worth a Thousand Words

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Like the image above, thematic maps store much information.

The question is, "How do you get to that information and interpret it?" The first step is to understand what you are looking at.

If you missed the first lesson in this Thematic Maps series or would like to review it, access it under Related Lessons in the right-hand sidebar.

Take a look at this USA Population Map. Examine the title, the key, the geographic area, and any other features.

Now, read this short paragraph and see if it describes what you saw.

This map describes the total population for each state in the United States in 2016. It color-codes each of the states according to its population in millions in four categories: less than one million, one to five million, five to ten million, and ten or more million.

• Does that description match up nicely with the content of the map?
• Is there anything you think could be improved or added?

Write a revision of that short paragraph in your notes in your own words.

The short sample paragraph provided the basic outline of the information. But what you want to do is interpret the information.

• What conclusions can be made based on the information on the map?

You might say the following.

The states with a population of ten million or more tend to be concentrated in the Northeast. The one-million-or-less states tend to be concentrated in the northern Mountain/Midwest region. Several of the ten-million-plus states also seem much larger, so they probably have fewer people per square mile.

• Are those conclusions supported by what you see on the map?
• Is there anything you think could be improved or added?

If you think so, revise that short paragraph in your notes.

Share the map with someone and ask what they see.

• Do they see anything else in the map that should be included in the description?
• Can they reach other conclusions based on the information provided?
• What exact words would they use to describe their observations or conclusions?

This exercise is more about seeing and thinking than it is about writing, but the writing part is critical because it forces you to be specific and clear about your observations.

Now that you've practiced the observation part, you can turn to write about your observations in the Got It? section.