We decided to create not only sample maps, but to use a presentation mode to make it easier when showing our maps to students.  Below are the steps we took to make our mapping presentation.

 

1. Create an account to keep maps and presentations that will be created.

2. Click "New Map" in the top left hand corner.

3. If creating a presentation, click "Presentation" in the upper middle area. If making a single sample map, skip this step.

4. Click to add a title to the slide.

5. If you click on the map and scroll, the map will move and you can zoom in and out. 

6. Right next to "print", if you click the "Basemap" button, you can change the design layout of streets, imagery, etc.  

7. If you would like to pin a point at a certain place, you can click the toolbar ("Add Features") on the lefthand side of the screen and it will make the features visible. 

8. Different features can be added to the map. We put pinpoints on the different historical places in Georgetown and Scott County. 

9. In the top right side of the page, there is a search bar that has "Find Places" on it.  You can enter an exact or absolute location (address) which will take you to the specific location, and place a pin at the point. 

10. When you have a pinpoint on the place you would like, you can click the pin. (You may have to then click "Map Notes" if you typed the address in the search bar.) You can then change the symbol (pinpoint) and edit the pop-up.

11. When you click "Edit Pop-Up", you can then change the title of the pin. You are aslo able to type information about the place, etc. If you want an image to pop up when you click the pin, you can enter a URL of the website that contains the picture, and it will upload the photo.

12. If you click the left toolbar again and click the plus button, you can add certain features and layers to the map, such as adding creeks, outlines of counties or states, etc. 

13. After you are finished with the slide, at the top right corner of the map, there is a lock/unlock button. You can move the map to where you want it positioned when you start the slideshow for your presentation.

14. Below the "Mapping and Presentation" Buttons, there are certain edit features such as adding or deleting slides.

15. Make sure once you are done with your presentation, you click save so your work will not be deleted.

 

To create a simple sample map, you can do the same steps to pin a point, enter information, etc., and when you are done, you can save or print. It will print what appears on the screen.