TEACHING MAPS SKILLS
Yes, it’s time to learn about maps! Maps are representation of places, usually drawn on a flat surface. They show how things are related to each other in terms of their locations, distances, and sizes. Your children will love learning about maps. Here are some fun and engaging activities you can do with your children to get the thinking train started… and let us know where it goes.
Introduction and Checking Prior Knowledge
Introduce the children to maps by asking the following questions at the beginning of the lesson:
Based on their answers, discuss prior knowledge. Then introduce relevant mapping terms using vocabulary posters or word cards.
Introduce the children to maps by asking the following questions at the beginning of the lesson:
- What is a map?
- Who makes maps?
- How are maps used?
- What are the common features of maps?
Based on their answers, discuss prior knowledge. Then introduce relevant mapping terms using vocabulary posters or word cards.
Guided Reading
After the introduction, guide the children as they read the book "All About Maps". As your children read, support and coach them as they use problem-solving strategies to read the text. The goal is to help your children understand the text.
After the introduction, guide the children as they read the book "All About Maps". As your children read, support and coach them as they use problem-solving strategies to read the text. The goal is to help your children understand the text.
There are three main segments of a guided reading session.
(1) Before Reading
Set the purpose for reading. Show the children the cover of the book and ask them to scan through it and look at the illustrations. Let them make predictions by asking the following questions.
(2) During Reading
Guide your children as they read. Be a patient observer and give prompts only when needed. Remember that different children will need different strategies -- some may need support with comprehension, others may need decoding cues.
(3) After Reading
Strengthen comprehension skills by inviting your children to discuss the meaning of the text. Extend understanding through assessment and writing activities.
Here are some graphic organizers you can use before, during, and after reading.
(1) Before Reading
Set the purpose for reading. Show the children the cover of the book and ask them to scan through it and look at the illustrations. Let them make predictions by asking the following questions.
- What do you think the topic is about?
- What questions do you have about the topic?
- What is the author’s purpose in writing about this topic?
(2) During Reading
Guide your children as they read. Be a patient observer and give prompts only when needed. Remember that different children will need different strategies -- some may need support with comprehension, others may need decoding cues.
(3) After Reading
Strengthen comprehension skills by inviting your children to discuss the meaning of the text. Extend understanding through assessment and writing activities.
Here are some graphic organizers you can use before, during, and after reading.
Mapping Activities
Let your children enjoy the map lesson by doing hands-on activities such as (1) Map Your Room; (2) Create a Treasure Map; (3) Build a Vacation Vision Board (4) Create a Map to the Park; (5) Create a World Map; and (6) Explore Google Maps.
Let your children enjoy the map lesson by doing hands-on activities such as (1) Map Your Room; (2) Create a Treasure Map; (3) Build a Vacation Vision Board (4) Create a Map to the Park; (5) Create a World Map; and (6) Explore Google Maps.
Writing Activities
Reading and writing cannot be separated. As Pam Allyn notes "Reading is like breathing in; writing is like breathing out, and storytelling is what links both: it is the soul of literacy”.
Expository Writing
Expository writing is used to present facts and inform a reader about a specific topic. Invite your children to write about maps. They can explain a concept they have just learned (e.g. What are the common features of maps?).
Story Writing
Creating and writing a story will help your children learn how to organize their thoughts and communicate their creative ideas. Your children will also have the chance improve creative writing skills. You can guide them by providing a story map and some writing prompts that they can work on.
Reading and writing cannot be separated. As Pam Allyn notes "Reading is like breathing in; writing is like breathing out, and storytelling is what links both: it is the soul of literacy”.
Expository Writing
Expository writing is used to present facts and inform a reader about a specific topic. Invite your children to write about maps. They can explain a concept they have just learned (e.g. What are the common features of maps?).
Story Writing
Creating and writing a story will help your children learn how to organize their thoughts and communicate their creative ideas. Your children will also have the chance improve creative writing skills. You can guide them by providing a story map and some writing prompts that they can work on.
Assessment
At the end of the lesson, review what your children learned by asking the following questions:
Then use engaging worksheets to check your learners' understanding. Check out the Fun With Maps Workbook which includes 20 workpages and answer key.
At the end of the lesson, review what your children learned by asking the following questions:
- What is a map?
- Who makes maps?
- How are maps used?
- What are the common features of maps?
Then use engaging worksheets to check your learners' understanding. Check out the Fun With Maps Workbook which includes 20 workpages and answer key.
Wrap-up (Summary)
One of the best ways to have fun in learning is through craft projects! Let your children build a map lapbook, which can be their final project as you summarize the map lesson.
One of the best ways to have fun in learning is through craft projects! Let your children build a map lapbook, which can be their final project as you summarize the map lesson.
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Thank you so much for reading!
Lots of love,
Ruby Jane ❤️
Lots of love,
Ruby Jane ❤️