Positives

• The map is fully customizable by turning on or off the various layers.
• There is an easy-to-use "measure" tool that allows users to quantify any distance on the map.

Additional Prerequisites

• Click the layers button in the top right corner of the page to select the features to be displayed on the map. Click the legend button (next to the layers button) for details on how to interpret the map.
• The FAQ link under the tools tab is helpful when learning how to navigate the page.
• This resource link is specific to New Jersey, but anywhere in the US can be viewed by selecting a new area of interest in the toolbar on the left side of the page.

Differentiation

• In geography classes, students can create customized maps using layers, and look for patterns in the spatial distribution of various features.
• In science classes, students can use these maps to observe the uneven distribution of water and discuss the geological processes that may be to blame.
• Students can zoom in on the map and explore the characteristics of their specific region or neighborhood within New Jersey.
• Many of the observable items like hurricanes, droughts, precipitation, and flooding can be related to climate change. Check out this lesson plan for middle school, this video, or this article to connect extreme weather and climate change.