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2nd grade · Social Studies · Unit 7 of 10

Reading Maps

Grids, keys and directions

What your child practices

Map titles, keys, compass directions and letter-number grids to find places in a neighborhood.

Alaska content standards learning standard: SS.2.1.18.1; SS.2.2.18.1 · making and reading maps of places in the community

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. A map is a drawing of a place seen from above. North is usually at the top.
  2. On a grid map, find the column letter, then the row number.
  3. The key explains symbols, like a star for a capital city.

Example: On a grid map, the park is in square B3. How do you find it? Find column B first. Then go to row 3. Answer: column B, then row 3

Reading Maps in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 7 of 10 in 2nd grade Social Studies, after Citizens & Leaders and before Work, Saving & Resources.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Why might a town be built beside a river?

    • to stay far from water
    • rivers are quiet
    • for water and travel

  2. Question 2

    Grid squares on a map, like B3, help you…

    • count sheep
    • find places
    • change colors

  3. Question 3

    What does a map key (legend) tell you?

    • who made the map
    • the time of day
    • what the symbols mean

  4. Question 4

    A map of Sacramento would show…

    • only oceans
    • the Moon
    • the whole world
    • its streets and parks

  5. Question 5

    On most maps, north is at the…

    • left
    • bottom
    • top

  6. Question 6

    Which one is a physical feature on a map?

    • a mountain
    • a city hall
    • a bus stop

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