TODAL. TODAL is an Acronym An acronym is a “word” formed from the beginning letter of each word of a list or phrase that you want to shorten or remember.

TODALTODAL

TODAL is an Acronym TODAL is an Acronym

An acronym is a “word” formed from the beginning letter of each word of a list or phrase that you want to shorten or remember.

s

oon

s

ossible

The acronym TODAL helps us learn and remember the required elements of each map.

itle

rientation

ate

uthor

egend

It is a memory aid—TODAL helps us remember what parts we MUST have on every map we make.

The title of the map is a label that tells what the map shows.

For example: Physical Map of South America

This is the compass rose on your map, indicating north, south, east & west.

This tells when the map was made. This should be the date on which you created

your map.

For example: September 15, 2008

This is the person who made the map. You must include your name on the

maps you create.

For example: Joshua Smith

The legend, or key, shows what the symbols, lines or colors on the map represent.

For example:

Australia and Its Neighbors

Find title

Title

Orientation

Legend

Find legend

Find orientation

TODALTODALSIGSSIGS

Many maps have 4 more elements in addition to TODAL. The “SIGS” in TODALSIGS represent:

cale

ndex

rid

ource

Scale shows the size

relationship between your map and the real world.

Find the scale:Find the scale:

This is an alphabetical listing of places (such as

cities) with thelatitude & longitude

of each place.

A grid is a set of intersecting lines

that are the lines of latitude & longitude

on your map.

Lines of LongitudeLines of Longitude

The

LONG lines.

They run from the North Pole to the South Pole.

The Prime Meridian is a line of longitude

Lines of LatitudeLines of Latitude

The

FLAT lines.

They run parallel to the Equator.

The Equator is the line of latitude that is halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole.

The source tells you the place where the map maker found the information on

the map

Example:

United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory

United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory http://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/maps/chap2/2-01m.html

Find the Source

What map elements do you see?

Title

Orientation

2001

Date

Legend

Scale

Grid

LABELING YOUR MAPLABELING YOUR MAP

Use ALL CAPITAL letters for the following labels:

• CONTINENTS (ex: AFRICA)• COUNTRIES (ex: FRANCE)• STATES (ex: TEXAS)• OCEANS (ex: ATLANTIC OCEAN)

Use black ink to label your map.

More on Labeling Your Map More on Labeling Your Map

All labels should be printed

Not

Not

EXCEPT:EXCEPT:

And other bodies of water

AbbreviationsAbbreviations

The ONLY abbreviations which may be used on your map are:

•Mt. for Mount (ex: Mt. Kilimanjaro)

•Mts. For Mountains (ex: Rocky Mts.)

•R. for River (ex: Mississippi R.)

Use only map colors (no crayons or

markers!) for coloring.

Try to color in one direction.

Use blue for bodies of water only.