Worldmapper is a collection of world maps based on various subjects from meat imports to cholera deaths to absolute poverty. As a young student, I remember looking up statistics about countries in various books. However, without access to technology, much of this information was meaningless to me and it was difficult to make connections. Today’s students have access to tools like Worldmapper and Google Earth, which brings the information to a whole new level!
I recently worked with some 4th graders and showed them various maps on Worldmapper. After looking at each map, I had them write down a question about the map. This led to some interesting discussions and connections. Below are just a few of the maps we explored and the questions students wrote. Check out Worldmapper and leave a comment about a map you found interesting!
Map # 1 Meat Imports: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=50
- How do they choose the shape of the countries?
Map # 2: Fruit Imports: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=42
- To be so big, how much fruit does Europe import?
Map # 3: Vegetables Consumed: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=124
- What is the most eaten food in china?
Map # 4 Poor Water: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=186
- What is the disease that is mostly caught through water?
Map # 5: Cholera Cases: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=231
- What is the usual age one gets cholera?
Map # 6: Yellow Fever: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=236
- Where would you get a yellow fever vaccination?
- How much does it cost and how hard would it be to get to people in Northern Africa?
Map # 7: Absolute Poverty: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=180
- What would you most likely buy when you live on two dollars a day?