Learning geography can be challenging for students. It is an instructor's job to develop ways for students to access information visually and apply geographic information. Students need to be able to identify and properly label boundaries within the United States. One way this can be achieved is by using a blank, printable map of the country.There are many different ways to use blank maps in the
. classroom. One way instructors can help students learn the boundaries of states is through coloring a map. Students can identify states or regions and develop their own map keys, using colors to demonstrate further distinction, such as electoral college votes or number of sunny days per year. This allows students to practice multiple geography skills including identifying states and learning how to properly use a key.Teachers might ask students to identify capitals or regions on a blank map. This challenges students to study the shapes of each state and become familiar with specific locations within the borders. Students learn to see the map as a whole and as individual parts.Blank maps can be decorated to show time zones. This can be useful when teaching students about the size and span of the country. The identification of time zones shows students the great distances that the United Stated covers.Blank maps can be used to show similarity across state borders as well. Students can use a map to record average rainfall. By identifying the rainfall for certain points of interest across the country, students can compare and contrast results and draw conclusions based upon their findings. This encourages critical thinking and challenges the ways students have been taught to think about geographic boundaries.Students can even record the types of crops grown in regions. Like comparing rainfall totals, this type of comparison encourages students to look for trends in a map populated with the variable of their choice, rather than a pre-selected variable. The hands-on nature of identifying and labeling the blank map will help the students access the information later and will reinforce long term learning.Numerous publishers have blank printable maps available online. More reference links: http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/naoutl.htm http://www.studenthandouts.com/geography.htm.
