Maps show us many types of information. We can learn about a country's landforms, weather, population…… almost anything simply by reading a map! This activity will teach us about our home state of Tennessee. Save all of the work you do for this activity in a folder. Be sure to include a title page and table of contents with all of your work. Happy traveling!

Look at this shaded relief map of Tennessee. It does not include a map key. Draw your own version of this map. Include a map key that will help a visitor to our state identify the various landforms of Tennessee. You may use other resources to help you design your map. The topographical map of Tennessee has a key to help you.

This map of farmlands in Tennessee shows areas of farming.

Compare the map of Slaves in 1790 and the map of Slaves in 1850. These maps show the percentage of slaves in the U. S. during these years. Write one or two sentences comparing Tennessee's slave populations during these years. Give a reason for the difference.

Shelbyville is located in Middle, or Central, Tennessee. Study this map of Central Tennessee. What highway passes through Shelbyville?

The map of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park shows lots of information about this National Park. Study the map. Copy and answer these questions.

Draw the symbol for Ranger Station.

The map of Indian Battles fought between 1701 and 1800 shows the major fights between the settlers and Native American tribes across the U. S. How many battles are recorded from Tennessee? List them.

Road maps help us find our way to different locations. Go to the Lycos RoadMaps site. Enter our school's address. It is 515 Tate Ave., Shelbyville, TN, 37160 USA. The computer will show you a map of the area of our school. Next, go to MapQuest and calculate the driving directions from Shelbyville, TN, to Orlando, FL. You never know…you might get to plan a trip to Disney World someday!

Visit Will Fontanez at the University of Tennessee. He is a cartographer. What is his job?

Study his site to find the five major types of maps. List them, along with a definition of each.

Now that we have studied various types of maps, let's have some fun! Pretend that you have hidden a million dollars somewhere in our classroom. Make a map that will help a classmate find the treasure. Be sure to draw an accurate map that represents our room. Don't forget to mark the spot!