Maps and Data
Learn
Maps and data help us understand where and when things happened. They are tools that historians use to tell stories about the past.
Reading Maps
A map is a drawing that shows a place from above. Maps have special parts:
- Title - Tells you what the map shows
- Key or Legend - Explains the symbols and colors
- Compass Rose - Shows North, South, East, and West
- Scale - Helps you know how big things really are
Maps Change Over Time
Old maps look different from new maps because:
- Places had different names long ago
- Borders between countries changed
- New roads, buildings, and cities were built
- People learned more about the world
Using Data
Data is information we can count or measure. Data helps us see patterns and compare things.
- Tables - Lists of information in rows and columns
- Charts - Pictures that show numbers (like bar graphs)
- Timelines - Show data organized by when things happened
Putting Maps and Timelines Together
When we combine maps with timelines, we can see:
- How places grew and changed over the years
- Where people traveled and when
- How events in one place affected other places
Examples
Example 1: Reading a Simple Map
A map shows a neighborhood with these symbols:
- Blue square = School
- Green circle = Park
- Red triangle = Fire station
Question: What does the green circle stand for?
Answer: The park! We found this by looking at the map key.
Example 2: Comparing Old and New Maps
A map from 1950 shows 5 houses on Oak Street. A map from today shows 20 houses on Oak Street.
Question: What happened over time?
Answer: More houses were built! The neighborhood grew bigger between 1950 and now.
Example 3: Reading Data in a Table
| Year | Number of Students at Our School |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 200 |
| 2000 | 350 |
| 2010 | 500 |
| 2020 | 600 |
Question: How did the school change?
Answer: The school got bigger! More students came each decade. The number grew from 200 to 600.
Practice
Answer each question about maps and data.
1. What part of a map tells you what the symbols mean?
Think: It is sometimes called a legend.
2. A compass rose shows four directions. Name all four.
Think: N, S, E, and W.
3. Why do old maps look different from maps made today?
Think: What changes over time? Names, borders, buildings...
4. A map from 1900 shows no airport. A map from 2020 shows a big airport. What happened?
Think: What was built between those years?
5. What is data?
Think: Information that can be counted or measured.
6. A table shows that a town had 100 people in 1800 and 5,000 people in 1900. What does this data tell us?
Think: Did the number go up or down?
7. Name one way data can be shown besides a table.
Think: Charts, graphs, timelines...
8. Why is it helpful to compare an old map with a new map of the same place?
Think: What can you learn about changes?
9. A timeline shows a library was built in 1950, a pool in 1970, and a community center in 2000. Put these in order from first to last.
Think: Which year came first?
10. You want to show how your town grew over 50 years. Would you use a map, a timeline, or both? Explain.
Think: What does each tool show best?
Check Your Understanding
Can you answer these questions about maps and data?
- Can you name the four main parts of a map?
- Can you explain why old maps look different from new maps?
- Do you know what data is and how it helps us learn about history?
- Can you read information from a simple table or chart?
Next Steps
- Find an old map of your town or city and compare it to a new one
- Make a simple table showing data about your family or school
- Continue to the next lesson: Claim and Evidence Writing