Where is Japan? Basic Map Skills

The purpose of this integrated unit is for first graders to learn basic map skills and use these map skills to solve a problem. The unit presents the scenario of a Japanese first grader who is looking for an American pen pal. The students use maps and globes to locate America and Japan. Language arts and mathematics skills are reinforced using the social studies content. Hemispheres, directional words, distances, regions, and physical environments are all explored while trying to solve the question, “Where is Japan?”