My Maps

MyMaps lets students create their own highly customised maps to share with others and display. The connections to the curriculum are numerous. Students can create their own maps displaying all sorts of content.

Here are some of Google My Maps finer points:

• Drop pins anywhere on a global map

• Add pins from a search in the search box

• Add information to pins (title, description, photos, etc.)

• Choose the kind of pin you’d like (by color or different icons)

• Draw lines or shapes over maps to help viewers interpret content easier

• Adding pins to different layers let you organize and turn certain locations on and off

• Create maps by importing data (Google support page with instructions)

• Zoom to the view you prefer and set it as your default view

• Share maps via link or embed them in a website

• When you add a line to a map, it can create a driving route, biking route or walking route for you to display on the map

• Use the ruler to measure distances on the map

• Maps are printable. Click the three dots next to the “Add layer” and “Share” links and choose “Print map.”

How else might I use My Maps in my classroom?

• Important locations in a historical event — Have students plot locations on a MyMap, filling in additional details as well as historic or current photos and links to more information.

• Setting of a novel, short story or other literary work — Where was the story set? Instead of dropping a single pin there, plot the different locations that show up throughout the story.

• Calculate rate of travel — As students learn about calculating distance/rate/time, have them choose locations and calculate the travel time to get there. They can add pins to those locations and show their work in the description of the pin.

• Create a map-based timeline with layers — Studying content over time? Have students plot events or locations of each decade (or year or century) in a different layer. When viewing, you can turn off all layers except one to see that time period … or see all of them together with all layers turned on.

• Plot locations with certain environments — Seeing locations with different climates and vegetation can be clearer with a MyMap. Students can add pins of different locations with pictures and description of how they’re different.

• Turn statistics into a visual aid — Looking at the top 50 cities for obesity or fitness? Studying population statistics? Add that data to the description. Then use the “individual styles” option on the layer you’re editing to make the pin’s color change based on the data.

• Identify locations where animal species live — Animal units get a whole different dimension when students can see where they live. Add details and photos to those pins, too.

• Make a map of where authors you’ve studied are from — Pin their hometowns. Add biographical information, other books, etc. in the description as well as photos of the author and/or covers of their books.

• Map where former Olympians of the sport you’re studying are from — Studying a sport in physical education? See where Olympians of that sport are from or where that sport is popular by creating a MyMap.

These ideas courtesy of https://ditchthattextbook.com/