Using maps helps students comprehend the complete historical narrative. The Unit One Mapping Activity is a fun way to introduce students to maps so they get comfortable using them throughout the course.
Although I don't teach AP World History, I do love maps! One of my favorite maps to analyze is Charles Minard's map depicting Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1812. Part map, part statistical graph, this graphic is sure to sharpen students' graphicacy skills! Here are some of my favorite resources for using Minard's map. How do you use this graphic/map with your students?
I like to incorporate maps into my quizzes. I just showed a picture of the Great Mosque in Djenne, Mali and asked students to write a context statement addressing why there was a mosque in West Africa. (Unit 1.2) I included a map of the Dar-al-Islam as a clue. I want the students to continually used regional geography to help them "place" historical processes and events. This way they can do a better job with their comparisons, cause and effect and CCOT. I am also lucky that I have a huge wall map. It is labeled with all the AP regions and sub-regions. I use it as a teaching tool and point out where I am lecturing about as needed.
This week in class we have used maps a LOT! We're finishing up unit 1 right now so we started by looking at maps of the Mamluks, Seljuks, and Delhi Sultanate. I also had them examine this OER map of the world in 1200. We did See, Think, Wonder, and the students came up with some great questions that led us to a good conversation about context.
Today we are going to look at Developments in Africa, so we're starting with this map showing the size of Africa in comparison to other countries around the world. One thing that I have found is students have absolutely no concept of how big Africa is, and showing them this really helps.
After their unit test next week, we're going to have students complete a map of major trade routes and states and empires in preparation for unit 2. We'll probably use either that 1200 political map or this 1450 map.
Jessica Hodgson Thank you for the Africa true size map reference. Using that one tomorrow and in other courses! I always use the West Wing clip to "de-center" our American students view of Mercator maps, but adding the map you shared will add more to discuss!
I LOVE THAT CLIP. "You're freaking me out!" The more we can show students different perspectives, the better!
Yes!! That West Wing clip is a favorite for me too.
Janet Mann I LOVE the West Wing clip and used it in class for years. Absolute favorite way to show how the western world is so dominate. So glad you brought it up!
Oh maps! I use maps constantly and have various projections of maps all over my classroom. In part, I'm sure it's because I am a visual learner myself, but I do believe that one misses a lot of basic analysis if one doesn't understand, for example, who's next to whom, how to get from point A to Point B, and how tech and science is reflected in an era's map. There is a 10 - point map on every test I give, AP or on-level: it's 10 places we have talked about in class. States, water bodies, key cities. It's not memorizing. It becomes the easiest 10 points on a 100 point test for them. I number places ona blank map from 1-10, give them a key that tells them what they are, and they just write down what it is.
In terms of skills, I give them blank maps on paper and online, and I often have them draw the maps in their notebooks, as I draw it on the board in squares, triangles, and circles. It's kinesthetic learning, really!
Skills: visual document reading & sourcing (POV, intended audience) + CONTEXTUALIZATION.
The students tend to be fascinated by non-Mercator maps. Here's what I have pinned to my boards and taped to my walls (along with an aging set of standard roll-up maps):
As my last words on the subject, there are maps all over the AP exams that students are asked to read and analyze in a variety of ways. If you don't have your own classroom, you could create a slideshow that lives on your LMS and use that, too, or have a "weird" map as your screen saver when kids come into class.
I am just starting Unit 2 and remember this student activity. I wish I could but I do not know who to give it credit to, but they made a great mapping activity for students!
Mapping gives the students context as well; history cant be told without location! I love the bumper sticker I got from the California Geography Alliance: "Without geography we're nowhere!"
I think credit goes to KATHRYN GREENE , @msgreenedu on Twitter. She has transitioned out of the classroom, but generously shares her resources. I used her Cold War mapping activity last year and really liked it!
