This week I decided to take a brief break from All American History and plan a mini unit on mountain ranges. I wanted to use WonderMaps and demonstrate how to create a cropped map. (Free Give-Away of WonderMaps at Bottom of Post.)
First I gathered a pile of library books on mountain ranges to get my kids reading and thinking about the new topic. Then when I start to introduce mountain ranges they have some facts or ideas to add to the discussion.
Second I brainstorm hands-on ideas and create notebook pages on the topic. Since this mini unit needs maps I grabbed my copy of WonderMaps.
How to Create and Print a Cropped WonderMaps
Now WonderMaps does not have a map that shows mountain ranges, so it requires a little geography knowledge to get started. For this example I choose to focus on the Alps mountain range. (Thank-you Google for telling me which continent and countries the Alps reside in)
I clicked on the World map button on the home page, then clicked on Europe, then the blue word Western Europe. Then clicked the oval circle at the top that says Europe (western). Now I have a map that shows the countries that the Alp mountain range passes through. But I still have a lot of extra information on the map.
Next I click the eyes on the left and turn off things like the graticules, cities, cities names, river, and river names.
For the answer key map I leave the terrain, country names on the map. For the student map I will reprint and turn off the terrain and country names.
Now by clicking the “+” at the top, I can zoom in on the Alps mountain range. I zoomed to about 125% and repositioned the map to have the Alps more in the center of the page.
Then to print this map I typed command P to bring up my printing options. Notice the visual is of the map not zoomed in; I want to have the printer print my current view.
I click more options and then I can click current view. Now if the map looks really small and is not filling up the whole page click on “fit” instead of “actual size”. Don’t forget to look at portrait or landscape and decide which option looks best. For this map I went with landscape. Then hit the print key.
Now I have a map showing the Alps mountain range and the countries that it passes through.
Lesson Plan on Mountain Ranges
Supplies needed:
• Books, Videos, or Websites on Mountains
• WonderMaps
• Legos, Clay or Paper Mache
• PDF on Mountain Range (67)
Day One
• Read books and watch videos on mountains.
Day Two
• Use Legos, clay, or paper-mache to build the 5 types of mountains.
Day Three
• Using the WonderMap answer key and student map locate the mountain range.
• Label the mountain range on the map.
• Using the mountain range notebook page, fill in the facts and characteristics of the range.
• Label the countries that the range passes through on the map.
Then repeat day 3 for the different mountain ranges that you choose to study. Younger students may enjoy learning about the Alps and Himalayans. While older students may enjoy learning about the Khyber pass in Pakistan.
Two Winners will be chosen.
Thanks for the great simple lesson on how to teach mountain ranges and how to use the maps!
This is brilliant! I had been wondering how to zoom-print WonderMaps … now I know! Thank you oodles, Stacey!
This looks like so much fun! I can’t wait to get started!!
Stacy
Absolutely adore your blog….
saw your post on Blogging Christian Mommy FB page for the first time.
Great lesson on mtns. Love it. i need to get back here soon to look further into WonderMaps.
Looking fwd to following you and keeping up with your tips.
In a rush now so I can’t look around; we were hit with a blizzard yesterday/last night…gotta get out there and shovel with the family!
Thanks–”see” you in the blogosphere:)
Chris at
Campfires and Cleats
xo
Thanks for stopping by! My son has been following the storm for the past 2 days. Stay warm! If you have any questions, just let me know.
I enjoyed reading this post. I’ve been trying to decide which map program would be best for my son, and this one looks great!
I’d love this!
Looks like a great resource!!
I would love this–thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to learn more. WonderMaps looks like a great program!
I’m always on the look out for more ideas of how to incorporate maps and such into my school, so more posts would be welcome
I’ve never heard of WonderMaps, but it looks fab! Thanks for the opportunity.
I have heard great things about WonderMaps.
We just started studying maps and these look awesome!!
Any homeschooling aid is great.
Looking forward to checking out Wondermaps!
Thanks for the great tutorial – and for offering the giveaway!
Now, I want WonderMaps even more. I can’t believe I haven’t bought it yet.
My kids would love this. They make their own treasure maps and love geocaching. This would be a great addition.
Great lesson plans, great ideas!
I would love to be able to customize maps!
I love this idea! Great instructions.
I have wanted to try Wonder Maps for so long! It looks fun!
I have just discovered WonderMaps myself. They look awesome.
Would love to try wondermaps!