2002 Lesson Plans
Grades 2 and 3

3:  Mapping America
Based on the Louisiana quarter reverse

Objectives:
Students will demonstrate map skills focusing on elements such as title, key, compass rose, and date.  Students will also describe our nation as composed of states, and will locate and identify selected states on the map.

Materials:
•	1 overhead projector (optional)
•	1 overhead transparency (or photocopy) of the Louisiana quarter reverse
•	Copies of the “Louisiana Purchase” map
•	Copies of the “United States of America” map
•	Colored pencils

Preparations:
•	Make an overhead transparency (or photocopy) of the Louisiana quarter reverse.
•	Make copies of the “Louisiana Purchase” map (1 per student).
•	Make copies of the “United States of America” map (1 per student).

Groupings:
•	Whole group
•	Individual work

Class Time:
1 45-minute session

Connections:
•	Social Studies

Terms and Concepts:
•	The Louisiana Purchase
•	Map key
•	Compass rose
•	Map title
•	Border

Background Knowledge:
Students should have basic knowledge of:
•	Map elements
•	Cardinal directions

Steps:
1.	Describe the 50 State Quarters® Program for background information, if necessary, using the example of your own state, if available.  Then display the overhead or photocopied image of the Louisiana quarter reverse.
2.	Explain to students that the design was specially chosen to represent the state of Louisiana, its history, and its contribution to the United States of America.  
3.	Lead a class discussion about the elements in the Louisiana quarter design. Focus on the central, shaded Louisiana Territory area.  Conduct a think-pair-share session asking students to consider:
•	What pictures appear on the coin and what might they represent?
•	What words appear prominently on the coin and what might they mean?
•	Why were the pictures and words on the coin chosen?  What things or events might the coin be representing?  What aspects might be important about Louisiana?
4.	Give students a brief background of the Louisiana Purchase including information such as when it happened and how it affected the size and boundaries of the United States.  Point out the shaded area on the Louisiana quarter reverse.  Explain that this area was once not a part of the United States but was added as the nation grew.
5.	Tell students they are going to practice mapping skills on two different maps, past vs. present—one map that shows what the United States looked like the year of the Louisiana Purchase and the second map showing what the United States looks like today.
6.	Distribute “The Louisiana Purchase” map, one per student.  Also, hand out colored pencils.
7.	Review the map as a class.  Take time to review the compass rose, the map key, the title, etc.  Point out areas on the map such as territories, states in the union, etc.
8.	As a class, work with the students to complete the directions provided.
9.	As students complete the “Louisiana Purchase” map, give each a copy of the “United States of America” map.  Have students work individually to complete this map according to the directions, providing guidance when necessary.  If necessary, unfinished work may be completed at home.
9.	Check the students’ maps for completion.  Discuss what was learned, referring again to the transparency or photocopy of the Louisiana quarter reverse.  

Enrichments/Extensions:
Students can create a map of their home state, including a compass, labeling the bordering states, identifying the capital city and the city or town where the school is located.  A corresponding map key should be provided by the student  as well.

Have students hypothesize and write about what life would be like if the United States had never acquired the Louisiana Territory.

Differentiated Learning Options:
•	Use peer tutoring when completing the map sets.
•	Make personal connections for students about land ownership such as:  If you go to the pet store to buy a dog, the store owner owned the dog until (s)he sold it to you.
•	Make a literature connection to “map elements” by reading map-related texts such as Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney, or North, South, East, and West by Allan Fowler.

HPC Connections
When President Jefferson wanted to expand the United States, from whom did he purchase the Louisiana Territory?  Why, France, of course!  Check out “Coins of the World” to learn more about the United States’ French connection.  It’s in the “Cartoons” area.

Or take a trip back in the HPC time machine to explore the Louisiana Territory with Lewis and Clark and their guide, Sacagawea.

Student worksheets
Louisiana Purchase Map
Map of Louisiana Purchase with blank for date, map key, and compass rose.  The areas that didn’t belong to the United States at the time are grey.]

Directions:
1.	In the blank in the “Louisiana Purchase” map’s title, write the year that the Louisiana Territory was purchased.
2.	Look at the compass.   What do the letters stand for?  
	N____________  S_____________  E____________  W___________.
3.	Pick a color and color in the Louisiana Territory.
4.	Use the same color to color in the “Louisiana Territory” box in the map key.
5.	Was your state owned by the United States in 1803?
	Put an “X” where your state is located.  Using the same color, trace the “X” on the map key and write the name of your state in the blank next to it.

United States of America Map
Modern map shows all 50 states labeled with their names, a map key, and a compass rose.

Directions:
1.	In the blank in the map’s title, write the current year.
2.	In the lower right box, draw a compass rose and label it.
3.	Trace the United States of America as it is today (don’t forget Alaska and Hawaii).  Using the same color, color in the “United States of America” box in the map key.
4.	Pick another color.  Trace the state where you live, then color it in.  Color in the second box in the map key and write the name of your state in the blank next to it.
5.	Pick a third color.  Trace all the other states that border your state.  How many other states border yours? _______
6.	Write the names of all the states that border your state.

Reproducible Overhead Graphic
Enlarged outline of the Louisiana quarter reverse with the Louisiana Territory in grey.