Geography · Mati Learning Hub

LESSON 1.1 · SS.3.G.1.1–SS.3.G.1.6

Map Tools and Map Purposes

Learning goal: Choose and read the map that best answers a geographic question.

What to know

A title tells the map’s subject; a legend explains symbols and colors.
A compass rose shows cardinal and intermediate directions, while scale estimates real distance.
Political maps show boundaries; physical and elevation maps show landforms; population maps show where people live.
A globe keeps Earth’s round shape, while every flat map distorts some size, shape, direction, or distance.

KEY VOCABULARY

legendcompass rosescaledistortion

SEMINOLE COUNTY CONNECTION

A map of Lake Mary can help a family compare routes to Crystal Lake Elementary, parks, and public services. The map purpose determines which details matter.

THINK LIKE A SOCIAL SCIENTIST

Which map would you choose to plan a safe walking route to school, and which three map features would you check first?

Physical and political map of North America — Use the map to locate Canada, the United States, Mexico, nearby islands, and surrounding oceans.
CIA World Factbook · public domain; stored locally · source details ↗

Use the evidence

To plan a drive, use a road map and its scale. To find a mountain range, use a physical or elevation map. The best map depends on the question.

WATCH & NOTICE

Maps and Globes for Kids

From Smile and Learn

Look for the map feature that answers each kind of location question.

Open video on YouTube ↗

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LESSON 1.2 · SS.3.G.1.3 · SS.3.G.2.1

North America and the Caribbean

Learning goal: Locate continents, oceans, and key countries and commonwealths near the United States.

What to know

North America includes Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the nations and islands of the Caribbean.
The Atlantic Ocean lies east of the United States and the Pacific Ocean lies west.
Grade 3 map work includes Puerto Rico, Cuba, The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica.
Relative-location words—north of, southwest of, beside—help explain where a place is.

KEY VOCABULARY

continentcountrycommonwealthrelative location

SEMINOLE COUNTY CONNECTION

Lake Mary is in Florida, in the southeastern United States, on the North American continent. Florida's peninsula points toward Cuba and The Bahamas.

THINK LIKE A SOCIAL SCIENTIST

Describe Florida's location without using coordinates. Include a country, a body of water, and a relative-direction word.

Use the evidence

Florida is southeast of most U.S. states, between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America, and northwest of Cuba and The Bahamas.

WATCH & NOTICE

Maps and Globes for Kids

From Smile and Learn

Look for the map feature that answers each kind of location question.

Open video on YouTube ↗

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LESSON 1.3 · SS.3.G.2.2–SS.3.G.3.2

Five U.S. Regions

Learning goal: Compare the location, physical features, climate, vegetation, landmarks, and resources of U.S. regions.

What to know

The five commonly taught regions are Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West.
Regions group places that share characteristics, but boundaries can vary with the map’s purpose.
Landforms, climate, vegetation, and natural resources help make regions different.
Charts, maps, graphs, and photos provide evidence for comparisons.

KEY VOCABULARY

regionclimatevegetationnatural resource

SEMINOLE COUNTY CONNECTION

Central Florida belongs to the Southeast and has a warm, humid climate, many lakes and wetlands, and vegetation different from the dry Southwest.

THINK LIKE A SOCIAL SCIENTIST

What evidence would you collect to compare Central Florida with a community in another U.S. region?

Use the evidence

The Southwest is often drier than the Southeast. That climate difference affects vegetation, water use, farming, and where communities grow.

WATCH & NOTICE

Maps and Globes for Kids

From Smile and Learn

Look for the map feature that answers each kind of location question.

Open video on YouTube ↗

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LESSON 1.4 · SS.3.G.4.1–SS.3.G.4.4

People Adapt to Environments

Learning goal: Explain how environments influence settlement and how cultures adapt and contribute.

What to know

People often settle near water, transportation, jobs, useful land, and natural resources.
Adaptation means changing how people live to meet environmental opportunities or challenges.
Native peoples developed homes, foods, clothing, travel, and traditions suited to different regions.
Many cultural and ethnic groups have contributed languages, foods, music, knowledge, and community traditions.

KEY VOCABULARY

environmentadaptationsettlementculture

SEMINOLE COUNTY CONNECTION

Seminole County communities plan around lakes, wetlands, heat, heavy rain, and hurricane risk. These conditions influence buildings, roads, water use, and recreation.

THINK LIKE A SOCIAL SCIENTIST

Choose one Central Florida environmental challenge and design one way a community could adapt to it.

Use the evidence

In dry places, communities conserve and move water. In snowy places, steep roofs and warm clothing help people respond to winter conditions.

WATCH & NOTICE

Maps and Globes for Kids

From Smile and Learn

Look for the map feature that answers each kind of location question.

Open video on YouTube ↗

4 of 4

What to know

Use the evidence

Maps and Globes for Kids

What to know

Use the evidence

Maps and Globes for Kids

What to know

Use the evidence

Maps and Globes for Kids

What to know

Use the evidence

Maps and Globes for Kids

Unit 1 learning map