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Atlas

Atlas


Page Content:

Definition:

A bound collection of maps, charts, or tables illustrating a subject based upon a specific focus.

Purposes:

  • To illustrate characteristics of place (location, size, topographical features of a location, country, continent)
  • To show absolute location of place
  • To show relative location in comparison to other areas or regions
  • To show relative location within the world
  • To build mental models or develop background knowledge and conceptual depth

Characteristics:

  • Maps of various types
  • Specific focus
  • Introduction
  • Table of contents
  • Scale, key, and/or legend
  • Outlines
  • Abbreviations
  • Compass
  • Topography
  • Political and physical maps
  • Index with grid reference
  • Longitude and latitude
  • Symbols
  • Shading or color to highlight features and/or locations
  • Multiple editions
  • Additional information (population, capital cities, etc.)
  • Multiple typefaces, print sizes for emphasis, effect, or priority
  • Natural resources
  • Political divisions of regions, contents, the world, or galaxies

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPREHENDING and USING the Genre and Text of Atlases:

Grade 5

Opportunities to Teach:

Understanding the genre

  • Structure
  • Purpose
  • Features
  • Introduction: intention, focus, theme, overview/summary of the book contents or sections
  • Background knowledge
  • Headings
  • Typography and placement for emphasizing importance
  • Content vocabulary
  • Connections to a topic within a content discipline
  • Symbols and compass
  • Scale, key or legend
  • Types of visual displays and representations
  • Abbreviations
  • Index
  • Applications
  • Conclusions

Understanding and using the text

  • Answer questions
  • Visual text features
  • Geographical terminology
  • Illustrate location characteristics (e.g., size, topographical features of a location, county, continent) for visualizing place
  • Apply visual knowledge of relative locations
  • Understand location in relationship to the world
  • Gathering details and information for reading and writing purposes

Booklists:

Access to the Documents:

Complete K-8 Genre Project
From the Michigan Department of Education

Complete K-8 Genre Booklist
From Kent Intermediate School District


Page last modified on February 11, 2009, at 11:26 AM