About the Strategy

When students read, analyze, and construct maps, they are accessing and strengthening academic skills that are used in all disciplines (and in life). Thus, students with a variety of learning styles can have their learning needs met through the use of map activities. Many students enjoy the hands-on aspect of working with maps. Also, students who are less able readers can excel in the more mathematical and pictorial work involved with using maps. In this sense, maps are a great classroom "equalizer."

Students can also gain important content information when they use maps. Changes in environments and territories can be mapped, as well as the growth of settlements and the course of explorations. Geographical features that have strongly influenced history (e.g., natural boundaries, weather and climate, economies related to geography and terrain, geographical influences on war outcomes, etc.) are all made apparent through good map work and "sleuthing."

Maps are just one of the myriad of alternate sources that students can use to uncover history (as opposed to more traditional sources like textbooks, lectures, and literary documents.). They work well in conjunction with photographic and other graphic material. They also give students an opportunity to "trace the route" of history, and to explore the effect that alternate routes may have had. Finally, they give students a picture of history that may last much longer than just verbally constructed images.

Map activities can be incorporated into work on a variety of social studies topics including:

• Migration trends and settlement patterns;
• Voting results;
• Battles and military campaigns;
• Explorations and expeditions; and
• Patterns of commerce (for example, how the acquisition of New Orleans and the construction of the Erie Canal altered streams of commerce.)

It is very important to note that working with maps is a highly transferable skill that will serve students well academically and in life. Reading and interpreting maps are also part of many states' United States history examinations.