Map Skills 3: Landforms With Map Key - Learn How to Read Maps
From Miacademy Learning Channel · 2025
7 min1st2nd3rdSocial Studies
Summary
This map-skills lesson shows how a map key (or legend) uses symbols and colors to stand for landforms like mountains, rivers, and lakes. Kids practice matching symbols to the key so they can read a map on their own — a core 2nd-grade map skill.
Viewer safety
All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Use these after watching to talk through the social studies idea in the video.
- What is a map key, and why does a map need one?
- What kinds of symbols might a map use to show a mountain or a river?
- How does using the key help you find a landform on the map?
Quick work-a-long
Words to know: map key, legend, symbol, landform, mountain.
Try it: Make a small map of your classroom or yard with a key. Use two symbols and label what each one means in the key.