Coal City Middle School students begin geography unit with hands-on mapping activities

Seventh grade students at Coal City Middle School have embarked on a new unit

in geography, starting with a creative task: drawing a map of their school

entirely from memory. This activity encouraged students to think spatially,

recall key landmarks, and consider the relationships between different

locations on campus.

Students then advanced their mapping skills by utilizing modern technology to

create accurate maps of their homes. Using tools like Google Earth, Google

Draw, and Google Maps, they designed detailed representations that included

essential map elements such as a title, legend, compass rose, and scale.

This hands-on approach to geography not only strengthens students’

understanding of map-making but also enhances their ability to analyze and

interpret spatial data—an essential skill in today’s digital world. As the

unit progresses, students will continue exploring geographic concepts that

will help them better understand the world around them.