Comparing Maps of Earth’s Features

Comparing Maps of Earth’s Features: Grade 4 Science Worksheet

What happens when you put three maps together? Students read one map of South America that layers high land (NOAA elevation), volcanoes (NOAA), and strong earthquakes (USGS). Along the west coast, all three line up with the Andes Mountains. Along the east coast near Brazil, there are almost none.

Key Science Vocabulary

• map key: the box that tells what each symbol on a map means
• Andes Mountains: the long mountain range along the west coast of South America
• volcano: an opening in Earth’s surface where melted rock comes out
• earthquake: a sudden shaking of the ground
• pattern: something that lines up or repeats

What Students Do

• Read a short teach box on putting maps together
• Part A: write Y or N in a table for mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes at two places
• Part B: circle the two true sentences about the pattern
• Answer key with answers in red and the big idea for the teacher

Standards

NGSS 4-ESS2-2: Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features. Also supports CCSS RI.4.7 (interpret information shown visually, such as maps and tables).

Where It Fits in Grades 3 to 8

This sheet pulls a grade 4 map unit together: mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes cluster in the same belts. In middle school, students learn these belts mark the edges of tectonic plates.

Teaching Tip

Have students point to each symbol in the map key before they start, so they do not mix up triangles and dots. Best printed in color; takes 8 to 10 minutes.