Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Cartography: Time and Space: Review

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

Clearly defining objectives is critical for providing a focused framework on what students are expected to learn and apply during the class. By outlining structured objectives, the teacher can effectively guide their teaching and practical activities to enhance the learning experience. In this lesson, the focus is on understanding geographic factors and map reading, which are vital for developing a nuanced view of the world around us.

Objective Utama:

1. Understand the geographic factors that influence map creation and how they are essential for grasping the geographic landscape.

2. Develop the skills to interpret maps as tools for locating and understanding the changes in a place over time.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Encourage critical thinking by examining how geographic changes can be depicted and anticipated using maps.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to captivate students by prompting them to consider the practical applicability of what they've learned. The problem-based scenarios stimulate critical thinking and the direct application of cartography concepts in real or hypothetical situations, forming a solid foundation for more active and meaningful engagement. Contextualization connects the content to real-world applications, demonstrating the dynamic and essential role cartography plays in both historical and modern contexts.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine your city is planning a significant urban expansion. What geographic factors should you consider when mapping this expansion? How could you use historical maps to comprehend the evolution of the area and inform the new planning?

2. Suppose an archaeologist finds ancient ruins in a remote part of the Amazon. How could they leverage cartography to pinpoint the exact location of these findings and subsequently integrate this data into a map of the archaeological site?

Contextualization

Cartography is more than a means of spatial representation; it is a discipline that has developed to meet both practical and theoretical demands across various fields. For instance, during the Middle Ages, maps were vital for navigation and the territorial expansion of empires, while today, cartography plays an essential role in urban planning, managing natural resources, and disaster preparedness. Additionally, interesting stories like Martin Behaim's creation of the first globe in 1492 can engage students and highlight the cultural and scientific significance of maps.

Development

Duration: (75 - 90 minutes)

The Development stage is crafted to allow students to practically and interactively apply the concepts studied earlier, using maps and geographic coordinates. Through engaging and fun activities, they reinforce their understanding of cartography and map reading while developing collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The proposed activities utilize fictional or adapted real-world scenarios that replicate situations where cartographic knowledge is crucial, ensuring a lively and engaging learning experience.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Cartographic Expedition: Discovering the Lost Treasure

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge of cartography and physical geography to address a practical problem, fostering teamwork and navigation skills.

- Description: Students will break into groups of up to five and each group will receive a 'treasure map' featuring geographical coordinates and historical context about a fictional location. The goal is to apply their cartographic skills to interpret the map, chart a course, and uncover the 'treasure' (a box of candies or small prizes).

- Instructions:

• Hand out the maps and materials to each group.

• Instruct each group to identify key points on the map along with their corresponding coordinates.

• Assist students in using scales and compasses to determine the direction and distance between points.

• Have students document any challenges or questions they face during the expedition.

• Once the treasure is found, each group presents their route and the methods they employed, discussing any difficulties they encountered.

Activity 2 - City Builders: The Urban Planning Challenge

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance planning and geographic analysis skills while applying concepts of cartography and sustainability.

- Description: In this group activity, students will receive a 'blank' piece of land and must design a fictional city using maps and information regarding natural resources, topography, and risk zones. The objective is to create a sustainable city that takes into account accessibility and environmental stewardship.

- Instructions:

• Provide each group with a blank map and information regarding available resources and local regulations.

• Students will use scales to draft the city layout, taking into account where residential, commercial, and industrial areas will be located.

• Encourage the use of legends to highlight risk areas, environmental preservation zones, and public amenities.

• Each group will present their project, justifying their urban planning decisions based on the data provided and the cartographic techniques used.

Activity 3 - Mystery Hunters: Unraveling the Past with Historical Maps

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Utilize historical maps to gain insights into geographic and social changes, fostering historical and geographic awareness.

- Description: Students, arranged in groups, will receive copies of historical maps of the city or region where their school is located. The task is to identify key locations such as schools, hospitals, or geographical changes over time, using the old maps while comparing them with the current layout.

- Instructions:

• Distribute historical and contemporary maps to each group.

• Instruct students to identify significant locations and mark them on both the current and historical maps.

• Guide students to discuss the geographic changes they observe and what these might indicate regarding the city’s development.

• Each group will prepare a short presentation on their discoveries, emphasizing the importance of cartography in preserving history and studying geographic changes.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

This feedback segment is vital for consolidating learning, as it enables students to articulate the knowledge they've gained within a broader context and discuss the practical implications of cartography concepts. Group discussions foster the exchange of ideas and perspectives, helping students appreciate the relevance of their lessons beyond the activities themselves. The key questions serve to promote reflection and ensure that all critical components have been comprehended and internalized.

Group Discussion

Kick off the group discussion with a brief introduction, expressing gratitude for everyone’s participation while highlighting the value of sharing experiences and lessons learned. Suggest each group present a summary of their discussions during the activities, focusing on key challenges faced and how they were resolved. Encourage students to connect the activities to real-life scenarios or other concepts they’ve studied.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges when interpreting and applying the maps during the activities?

2. How did your understanding of geographic factors aid in resolving the issues faced during the activities?

3. In what ways can the skills you've honed today be used in real-life situations or future studies?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of this Conclusion stage is to ensure that students have solidified the knowledge obtained throughout the lesson, linking theoretical and practical content to tangible applications. This moment also serves to emphasize the significance of studying cartography, encouraging students to appreciate and utilize the concepts they've learned in various spheres of their lives and in their future education or careers.

Summary

In wrapping up the lesson, the teacher should recap the main concepts covered, stressing the understanding of geographic factors and map reading as vital tools for interpreting both space and time. It's crucial for students to have a solid grasp of how these concepts are applied in practice and how they were implemented during the class activities.

Theory Connection

Throughout the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was established via interactive activities that mimicked real-life situations, such as urban planning and analyzing historical maps. This allowed students to witness how theoretical concepts studied previously translate into practical, applicable knowledge in real-world contexts.

Closing

Lastly, the teacher should underline the significance of cartography in daily life, emphasizing that map reading and understanding are key skills in numerous professions like urban planning, archaeology, and environmental management. Additionally, highlight the cultural and scientific importance of maps, illustrating how they contribute to preserving history and planning for future endeavors.