For Other Professionals
Citizen Writer Challenge
Mapmaker
This contest is now closed. However, you may want to use this mapmaking prompt and the resources listed below in your social studies curriculum.
In America, we have so many beautiful and amazing places. Places that have meaning to all of us as citizens — Washington, D.C., Lexington & Concord, Selma, Alabama; places that are geographically stunning — the Grand Canyon, the Smoky Mountains, the Okefenokee Swamp; and places that have personal meaning to us as individuals and smaller communities — towns our ancestors emigrated from, places our friends and relatives live now, favorite vacation spots, town monuments, libraries, ball fields, all kinds of special places.
Make us a map with at least 10 locations (Grades K-5) or 20 locations (Grades 6-12) that are important to you. And we don't just want you to show us the places on a map; we also want you to tell us what these special places are and why they are important to you, so remember to add labels to the points on your map.
You may draw your map or use software. There are several free online application you can use — Google Earth (for mapping) and TimeGlider (for timelines). Note: Google Earth requires installation on your computer.
Common Core Standards
- Range of Writing
- Research to Build and Present Knowledge
- Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
See Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (2MB PDF)*
Related resources
National Geographic Guide to Mapmaking
