This lesson supports student exploration of world maps through a number of essential questions and map-reading skills: what is a map and how is it similar and different from other visual representations of places?; what kinds of approaches do critical map-readers practice?; how have representations of the world on two-dimensional maps changed over time?; how do representations of the world point to a cartographer’s purpose and audience? Terms and topics include: legend/key, compass, scale, title and date, decorations/illustrations, distortion and projections, and purpose. Students receive an interactive lesson about maps and mapping, and work in groups to complete a map inquiry activity with some of the maps in our collection.