**Kindergarten Social Studies Lesson Plan: Basic Geography (Maps and Globes)**
**Grade Level:** Kindergarten
**Subject:** Social Studies
**Topic:** Basic Geography - Maps and Globes
**Duration:** 45 minutes
**Objective:**
- Students will understand the basic concept of maps and globes.
- Students will identify the Earth as a globe and recognize simple maps.
- Students will learn the difference between land and water on maps and globes.
**Materials Needed:**
- Globe
- World map
- Classroom map (simple layout of the classroom)
- Crayons/colored pencils
- Paper
- Sticky notes
- Cut-out shapes of basic landforms and bodies of water (like mountains, rivers, oceans, and lakes)
- A storybook related to maps and globes (e.g., "Me on the Map" by Joan Sweeney)
**Standards:**
- NVACS (Nevada Academic Content Standards) for Social Studies.
**Lesson Plan:**
**1. Introduction (10 minutes):**
- Greet the students and gather them in a circle.
- Show them a globe. Explain that a globe is a model of the Earth.
- Discuss how Earth is made up of land and water.
- Rotate the globe and point out the blue (water) and green/brown (land) areas.
*Question to ask:*
- "Can anyone tell me what this blue part is?" (Water)
- "Can anyone tell me what this green/brown part is?" (Land)
- Show them a large, colorful world map. Explain that a map is like a flat drawing of the globe.
- Read the storybook "Me on the Map" by Joan Sweeney.
**2. Guided Practice (15 minutes):**
- Distribute small sticky notes and ask students to mark their classroom map with where different areas are (e.g., their table, the teacher's desk).
- Take out the cut-out shapes of basic landforms and bodies of water. Discuss each one briefly.
*Activity:*
- Assign students to match the cut-out shapes with the areas on the globe and map (e.g., put blue shapes on the water parts of the map).
**3. Independent Work (10 minutes):**
- Provide each student with a simple outline of a world map.
- Ask them to color the areas as follows:
- Blue for water.
- Green for land.
- Assist students who may need help with differentiation.
**4. Review and Discuss (5 minutes):**
- Have students share their colored maps.
- Review the key points of the lesson: What is a globe? What is a map? What are land and water?
- Ask questions to check for understanding:
*Questions:*
- "What do we use to look at the whole Earth?"
- "What is another way to show places on Earth?"
**5. Closure (5 minutes):**
- Gather everyone back into a circle.
- Recap the lesson and emphasize the importance of knowing about maps and globes.
- Sing a simple song about the Earth (e.g., to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle" - "Earth, Earth, round and blue, with land and water too")
**Extension Activity (Optional):**
- Create a "Map of My Yard" project where students draw a basic map of their yard or nearby park and bring it back to share with the class.
**Assessment:**
- Observe student participation in activities.
- Review their colored maps for understanding of the difference between land and water.
- Listen to their responses during discussions to gauge their understanding.
**Note:** Adapt the activities to meet the needs of students who require additional support or challenge those who need more advanced material.