Mapping Our World

Over the past few weeks we have been learning about maps. Each week we have a map packet that shows us a kind of map or a part of a map and has questions to go along with it. To go along with these maps, we have been looking at all different kinds of "real" maps as well. I brought out a big stack of maps from states, towns, tourist attractions, amusement parks, zoos, and aquariums. The children loved passing them around and looking at all the different things that they could find on these maps. They especially liked the kid-friendly ones that have lots of pictures.

Last week I gave them a challenge. I challenged each of them to find a map at home and bring it in to share. Several of them were up for the challenge and brought in some really cool maps of places they had visited and they had the opoprtunity to share these with the class. After the first day, several more brought them in and some even a week later because they all wanted to be a part of this.

While visiting our classroom last week, Dr. Frey heard about our map challenge and this week surprised us by bringing one of her own!

Dr. Frey brought in a very special kind of map that none of the children had seen before. They LOVED it! Dr. Frey explained that it was called a topographical map and then gave the children the chance to not only look at it, but feel the difference in this cool map! She even showed us where her cabin in the mountains is. While we were talking about the map, we came up with our own idea of what topographical means...the "top". The children pointed out that it showed the tops of the mountains and you could see which ones were taller. I was really impressed that they used their own ideas to come up with a first grade friendly way to think of this map.

Thanks, Dr. Frey!!

This week we learned about the different directions on the compass rose. To have a little hands on experience with this each child was able to have their own map of the zoo and we navigated them with matchbox cars. I chose a place and then each child was able to navigate to a place that was either North, South, East, or West of it. This was a great way for the children to be able to interact with the cardinal directions.