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2nd grade · Social Studies · Unit 13 of 14

Reading Maps

Keys, directions and map grids

What your child practices

Map titles, keys, compass directions, grids and scale, physical and human-made features, and finding New York places on a map.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 2.5a; 2.5d · locating communities on maps and describing places with symbols, map keys and geography words

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.
  2. On a grid map, find the column letter, then the row number.
  3. A star often marks a capital. A world map shows all the continents.

Example: On a map of New York State, Albany has a star. What does the star mean? Check the map key. A star stands for a capital city. Answer: it is the state capital

Reading Maps in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 13 of 14 in 2nd grade Social Studies, after Community Jobs & Taxes and before Who Runs Our Community?.

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: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

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

    Which state is just south of New York?

    • Pennsylvania
    • Florida
    • Texas
    • Maine

  2. Question 2

    Which one is a human-made feature?

    • a lake
    • a bridge
    • a hill

  3. Question 3

    A map of New York City would show…

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

  4. Question 4

    A map scale helps you find…

    • what time it is
    • how hot it is
    • how far apart places are

  5. Question 5

    A compass rose shows…

    • directions
    • the weather
    • the date

  6. Question 6

    On most maps, west is on the…

    • top
    • right
    • left

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