Lesson #1: Where are we? Where were we?

Activity 1.4: Become a Colonial Cartographer!

A cartographer is someone who creates and interprets maps. This image above is the symbol of the Lithuanian Army Cartography Centre. It shows a grid, geometric compass, and compass rose.

Ever wonder how people created maps? What about the ways people create maps today? With the use of some very cool modern (they are online) cartography tools, you will learn how to create and use maps based on the colonial period.

Benchmark:

5.3.1.1.1: Create and use various kinds of maps, including overlaying thematic maps, of places in the North American colonies; incorporate the “TODALS” map basics, as well as points, lines and colored areas to display spatial information.

Learning Target:

I can...explain how to use TODALS when reading and creating maps

I can...synthesize an effective map using online cartography tools.

Essential Question:

How do I create and use various kinds of maps, including overlaying thematic maps, of places in the North American colonies; incorporate the “TODALS” map basics, as well as points, lines and colored areas to display spatial information?

To complete Activity 1.4 please follow the steps below:

STEP 1:

• Access the website entitled My Great Maps. You will come across a message that says Welcome! Teachers: Sign up Your Students…Just hit “CLOSE” to get past this.
• Now sign up as a “STUDENT” for this COMPLETELY FREE online program.
• Once signed up as a student follow all the directions below! 

STEP 2: 

• Click on the center map “USA”. Then click on the map called “13 Colonies”.
• Before you get started with the actual assignment, play around with the controls (colors, writing tools, and the like) on the right hand side. Remember nothing will save on your map until you are completed and ready to save. The saved map will save as a “.png” or portable network graphics file and can be saved anywhere on your computer.

STEP 3: 

• Now, let’s get started on the map that you will be turning in to your teacher.
• This assignment will take time to complete because you will need to learn how to use the software. Be patient and take your time.
• Re-log into My Great Maps.
• Select the USA map and then select 13 colonies.
• You are now ready to rock and roll.

Alternative Assignment Completion:

You may also complete the map by hand drawing it and completing all the same tasks in
STEP 4 that you would if you were using the online software program. Be sure to scan in the file as a pdf and submit it electronically. Follow the directions below for how to submit and upload a PDF.

Upload your responses to the add submission box
o Open document to your computer
o Complete the assignment
o Click "Save As" and save it onto a special place on your computer
o Click "Upload a File"
o Upload the file to this Moodle page
o Click Save unverified article

STEP 4: Using the 13 Colonies Map and Modern Map of the United States as a reference complete the following tasks:

1. Title your map The 13 Colonies, 1775 by “your name” (T, D & A in TODALS)
2. Include a compass rose for orientation in your map (O in TODALS)
3. Create a legend/key for your map. Click on the key icon. (L in TODALS)
4. Don’t worry about creating a scale for this map. (S in TODALS)
5. Now you have completed your TODALS. Yay!
6. Label each colony with its proper colonial name (Remember, Maine, Vermont, and Florida were not part of the 13 colonies)
7. Label the Atlantic Ocean
8. Color each of the 13 Colonies a different color.
9. Color the Atlantic Ocean a light blue.
10. When you have accomplished all these tasks, click on the disk icon to save your map as a .png file. Title your file like this:

         JohnSmith_13ColoniesMap.png

11. Submit your map by either emailing it to your teacher or uploading it to Moodle.
    
    Upload your responses to the add submission box
    o Open document to your computer
    o Complete the map
    o Click "Save As" and save it onto a special place on your computer
    o Click "Upload a File"
    o Upload the file to this Moodle page
    o Click Save unverified article