Lesson Plan
Waldseemüller’s Map: World 1507
Lesson Overview | Preparation | Procedure | Evaluation
Overview
The 1507 World Map by Martin Waldseemüller is one of the world’s most important maps. For the first time, this map labels America and shows the continent as a separate land mass. It is often referred to as America’s Birth Certificate. Students will investigate this map by looking closely at the details of each section of the map and then draw conclusions on the revelation of this new and unusual world to the people of 1507.
Objectives
After completing this unit students will be able to:
- Analyze maps as primary sources.
- Locate identifiable land masses.
- Locate standard map features: equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, longitude.
- Explain the historical significance and legacy of this map.
Time Required
One class period
Recommended Grade Level
Grades 6-8
Topics
Geography & Maps
Early American Exploration
Era
Three Worlds Meet, Beginnings to 1620
Standards
McREL 4th Edition Standards & Benchmarks
Geography
- Understands the characteristics and uses of maps, globes and other geographic tools
- Understands how geography is used to interpret the past
Historical Understanding
- Understands and knows how to analyze chronological relationships and patterns
- Understands the historical perspective
U.S. History
- Understands the characteristics of societies in the Americas, Western Europe and Western Africa that increasingly interacted after 1450