Hey there!
So last week we started our unit on mapping and landforms. Our social studies curriculum is unfortunately rather bland and leaves little hands on practice for our kiddos. So reviewed all the main components that my nuggets were expected to know by the end of the unit and I created some interactive games and activities to help reinforce all the necessary mapping skills they would need.
Next, I went into
town and found a variety of different city maps. The local train, bus station
or city center are great spots to pick up maps. You can also go online and
search your city for walking maps.
town and found a variety of different city maps. The local train, bus station
or city center are great spots to pick up maps. You can also go online and
search your city for walking maps.
After I had all my maps ( I looked like a crazy tourist by the way) I put my students in groups of 2. I gave
each group one map and they each got their own mapping activity.
each group one map and they each got their own mapping activity.
The kids worked together to find specific
things on the map. At the end we shared out what we found and the landmarks
they would want to visit and why. (They loved that part)
things on the map. At the end we shared out what we found and the landmarks
they would want to visit and why. (They loved that part)
I HIGHLY suggest getting actual maps, the
kids felt so grown up and really enjoyed the activity. Many of them had never
looked at a real paper map before.
kids felt so grown up and really enjoyed the activity. Many of them had never
looked at a real paper map before.
The next day I had the kids design their
own maps of make believe cities. I passed back out the maps from the previous
day to give them some ideas on what they should add. I also included a dream
bedroom activity which they always love, but doesn’t include landforms of
course.
own maps of make believe cities. I passed back out the maps from the previous
day to give them some ideas on what they should add. I also included a dream
bedroom activity which they always love, but doesn’t include landforms of
course.
After they completed their own imaginary
place maps they got with partners to play “I’ll Race you There” or “That Be My
Treasure”
place maps they got with partners to play “I’ll Race you There” or “That Be My
Treasure”
You can purchase compass dice
on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2BzBLjN
on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2BzBLjN
I also created printable compass dice or
spinner options.
spinner options.
I wanted to share one of the fun games I created as well as the compass spinner and dice. FREEBIE TIME:
I hope you have fun exploring with your
kiddos!
kiddos!
If you want to check out the full product:
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