In my seventh grade history/social sciences class two of our main projects were to draw physical maps (no political borders) of Africa and North America. They were drawn on blank paper a few feet in each direction, and students would generally draw a faint grid to help with accuracy.

We were graded on the number of physical features included, and how accurately the coasts, rivers, mountains, etc. were drawn.

I wonder if anyone still teaches with similar projects. It was a great way to learn in detail about the surface of the Earth.