Kids do hands-on map activities at their desks and learn it by doing it.  Land elevation, population density, land use, international and state boundaries, locations of rivers and lakes, and much more are shown. Skills can be introduced, applied and practiced.
Click here to view table of contents ML-4.

SIDE 1 shows Michigan and the Great Lakes along with an inset map of the Detroit Metro area.

The Desktop Map Lessons focus primarily on the geographic strand and related benchmarks, but several historic, economic, and inquiry benchmarks are included as well.

UPPER ELEMENTARY MAP LESSONS.  Coordinates with the latest state content standards.  There are 38 ready to use lessons including:  The Tribes in 1760, Michigan Ho - traveling on the Erie Canal, From Iron Mine to Car Factory, Our Rivers and Their Water, What is Underfoot - our minerals, Comparing Counties, etc.  162 pages.

Strand I        Historical Perspective
I.2.LE.2 Use narratives and graphic data to compare the past of their local community, the state of Michigan, and other parts of the United States with present day life in those places. DESK MAP Lesson 8.
Strand II      Geographic Perspective
II.1.LE.2 Locate and describe diverse kinds of communities and explain the reasons for their characteristics and locations. DESK MAP Lessons, 7, 8, 12, 15, 36, 37.
II.1.LE.3 Locate and describe the major places, cultures, and communities of the nation, and compare their characteristics. DESK MAP Lessons 9, 12, 13, 23, 36, 37.
II.2.LE.2 Describe the location, use and importance of different kinds of resources and explain how they are created and the consequence of their use. DESK MAP Lesson 22.
II.2.LE.3 Describe the major physical patterns, ecosystems, resources, and land uses of the state, region, and country, and explain the processes that created them. DESK MAP Lessons 2, 4, 5, 18, 22, 26, 33.
II.2.LE.4 Explain how various people and cultures have adapted to and modified the environment. DESK MAP Lessons 6, 7, 18, 22, 24, 26, 30, 31, 33.
II.3.LE.1 Describe major kinds of economic activity and explain the factors influencing their location. DESK MAP Lessons 5, 6, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26, 32.
II.3.LE.3 Explain how transportation and communication link people and communities. DESK MAP Lessons 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30.
II.3.LE.4 Describe some of the major movements of goods, people, jobs, and information within Michigan and the United States and explain the reasons for the movements. DESK MAP Lessons 6, 7, 14, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 32.
Strand III     Civic Perspective
III.1.LE.1 Distinguish among local, state, and national government in the United States and describe the roles of government institutions at all three levels. DESK MAP Lessons 5, 38.
III.1.LE.2 Give examples of authority and the use of power without authority. Pages 111-113, 141, 271-274. T chapter 13 CDV activity, “A Constitutional Principle Was Lost.”
III.4.LE.3 explain the basic organization of the local, state, and federal governments. DESK MAP Lessons 38.
Strand IV     Economic Perspective
IV.4.LE.3 Analyze how Michigan’s location has impacted its economic development. DESK MAP Lessons 7, 15, 17, 22, 23.
Strand V       Inquiry
V.1.LE.3 Interpret social science information about local, state, and national communities from maps, graphs, and charts. DESK MAP Lesson 11.
Strand VI     Public Discourse and Decision Making
VI.1.LE.3 Evaluate possible resolutions of a public issue. DESK MAP Lesson 35.

7th GRADE & UP MAP LESSONS
There are 15 lessons in this set including: Indian trails to modern highways, strategic location of forts, the Appalachian connection and Michigan settlement, Michigan versus the colonial land claims, the Erie Canal and pioneer migration, the Toledo strip and state boundaries, Underground Railroad routes, and role of the Great Lakes in our history and economy, etc. Illustrations and additional maps.  75 pages.