Thanks so very much for everyones help regarding teaching map skills for
3rd graders. I received approximately 25 ideas. I especially like the
ideas related to books. However, there are so many wonderful ideas, it's
difficult to choose which ones to do. I think I'll start with And the
dish ran away with the spoon and see where that takes us. This group
always amazes me with their help. Thank you again.
Wendy Carroll
Library Media Specialist
Ridgefield Park, NJ
Grant Elementary School (T&Th) K-6
Lincoln Elementary School (M-W-F) K-6
wcarroll@rpps.net
Choose a story that has a map central to the theme.~ Of course I can't
think of the name of Pat Hutchins book [the one with chicken going through
the farmyard and the fox chasing her] at the moment [I am not totally
awake], but that is an easy one (perhaps too easy) for your third grade
students.~ Have them draw the map.~ I am doing this with my 5th grade
students with a book about Nellie Bly this week.~ Read a story that has an
interesting location, and have them draw the place as it was described in
the book.~ Read Melinda Long's book How I became a pirate (which is a fun
book) and have the kids re-create all of the pirates' travels.~
********************************************************************************************
What about creating "treasure maps" for the library? Students would be
given
directions per group using the cardinal directions and steps. (Have the
older students work to make the maps using a blank library map.) For
example, start at the circulation desk. Go north 10 steps and then turn
east. Go 10 steps, etc. Hide something like a colored "x" for each group to
find. (Red x, blue, x etc.)
You could also print the map on graph paper and give directions. Have all
hunting done on paper by counting squares. i.e. start at circ desk, move 8
squares to the south, etc.
If you have AIMS (Activities Integrating Math and Science) books, they have
great resources in map skills you could model after.
******************************************************************************************
I created an atlas station scavenger hunt that the kids had to do
working in pairs and using only gestures to communicate. I used every
atlas we owned that was accessible to 3rd graders. I created a question
for each one based on the standards and benchmarks in their social
studies curriculum. The atlases were spread out on all the library
tables and the kids moved around from atlas to atlas to answer each
question. They really enjoyed it, even the challenge of only
communicating nonverbally.
What helped this be such a success was having a helpful 3rd grade
teacher review my questions and wording. I also worked with the 3rd
grade teachers to time this lesson to occur at the end of their
classroom teaching of atlas skills. It took a whole hour to do this plus
have time for book checkout.
*********************************************************************************************
Denise Fleming's new book Buster has a map in it with a legend and named
streets on it. (They're named after her husband David Powers, her daughter
Indigo, her editor Laura Godwin, and other friends and family members.)
Perhaps it might be of use?
~
*********************************************************************************************************************
Give each student an atlas (or to small groups). Read the story How to
Make
an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman. Have the students
find
the places in the atlas as you mention them. I do this with fourth graders
and they love it.
World Atlas
What is the highest elevation in the country?
What borders on the South side of the country?
What is the northern latatude?
Another Atlas
Describe one historic thing that happened in this country.
World Atlas
What is the highest elevation in the country?
What borders on the South side of the country?
What is the northern latatude?
Another Atlas
Describe one endangered species in this country. Why is it endangered.
World Atlas
What is the highest elevation in the country?
What borders on the South side of the country?
What is the northern latatude?
Another Atlas
Describe one endangered species in this country. Why is it endangered.
World Atlas
What is the highest elevation in the country?
What borders on the South side of the country?
What is the northern latatude?
Another Atlas
Describe one endangered species in this country. Why is it endangered.
World Atlas
What is the highest elevation in the country?
What borders on the South side of the country?
What is the northern latatude?
Another Atlas
Is this place endangered? _______ Why is it endangered?
World Atlas
What is the highest elevation in the country?
What borders on the South side of the country?
What is the northern latatude?
Another Atlas
Describe three plants which live in this area.
World Atlas
What is the highest elevation in the country?
What borders on the South side of the country?
What is the northern latatude?
Another Atlas
Describe two animals that live in this country.
Why do you think they live there
World Atlas
What is the highest elevation in the country?
What borders on the South side of the country?
What is the northern latatude?
Another Atlas
Describe one animal that lives in this country.
I made a map of an imaginary island in Microsoft Word using the last names
of the kids. (Johnson Plains, Thiemann River, Mikelson City, Baker Lagoon,
Johnson Jungle). I made the grid over the map to use coordinates like an
atlas. I let the kids know that there is treasure buried in one of the
coordinates...and~at the end of the lesson about maps, I'll have two
students draw out a number from one container, and a letter from another
to use as coordinates...if the students locate the area (coordinate
square) where the treasure is, they get the treasure...candy treat,
pencil, etc.
~
start with drawing a map of the library, when they all have a map, teach
the
skills you want, compass rose, etc. that way, they have something concrete
they can work with and are familiar with. good luck.
I've done centers with the students, covering different map skills at
different centers. When I taught maps to fifth grade, I used thick "foam
style" poster board for the centers. Each week, the students do a
different
center and most centers have several choices to choose from (three or four
choices at each center "board") . At some centers, I've used atlases. At
others, I use maps I've gotten after writing for free tourism maps or
asking
AAA for free maps they are tossing out. I managed to get a whole class
set
of one specific state map this way. After the unit is completed, they have
learned all the skills although different teams (they usually work in
pairs)
may have chosen different maps/activities at each center.
I also had a book that covered map skills by having the kids solve a
mystery. I cannot remember the title, however, and it's at home.
How about making copies of a street map that covers the school's
neighborhood. They could find routes and alternative routes to each
others
houses, writing it out using N,S,E,W. They get a kick out of seeing their
street on a map. You could then go from there to a map of the town,
county,
state etc. They could also plot distances using the scale, comparing
distance by road to as the crow flies. You could ask who takes a bus and
figure out the distance away the school decides to bus people. You could
discuss coordinates and figure out who lives in what block. I'm getting
excited about the idea now thanks.
How about reading little house on the prarie and mapping their trip out
west?
Have you tried checking www.nationalgeographic.com? They have lots of
materials and lesson plans for teachers.
***************************************************************************************************************************
This is what I do to teach atlas - and maps for third grade. I used the
library set of atlases spoke about what are in them and the types of
maps there are. I have also pulled a number of different books on maps
(fiction and non) and talked about the types of maps. I divided the kids
up into pairs and had them find one interesting fact about their book
that is different. Hope this helps!
I have used the books Katy and the Big Snow and Stella Luella's Runaway
Book.~ The map in the first book I copied one for each kid to use and not
keep and read the story all the while have the kids interject which way
Katy was traveling.~ A map can be created for Stella.
A map of the library, use compasses, give directions - like a scavenger
hunt. Or, have them make maps of their school building and grounds ( or
their neighborhood)drawing compasses roses and/or label East, West, etc. (
or have them start and brain storm how to let the person using/needing~the
map know what direction to proceed). ~Pose questions - like: a new student
transfers to your school. Draw a map (list labels you want) so the new
student can find Library, Gymnasium, etc. OR - draw a map of your
neighborhood so visitors can find your house, the Library, Post Office, or
other things found in their neighborhoods. Start with what's familar to
them and go from there.
I hope you can understand what I am trying to convey in a short email.
Good luck.
It entails a bit of work, but
using "And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon"
by Stevens is great fun!
You need to read the story aloud, and then
distribute reproductions of the map,
which include a key and compass rose, etc.
Then using a transparency of same map,
see if students can recreate with you the path
that the characters follow in the story.
The students love it!
Have fun.
Map reading
I have used the following with the same age kids and they really enjoyed
it...
Started by playing battleships - the grid game where they had to learn
co-ordinates.
I then got them to draw a picture using only co-ordinates on a set of
grid paper.
These two activities Shows there is two different types of co-ordinates
- right on the corners of the lines and then the boxes which are used
for maps.
I them photocopied the area around the school from a street directory,
and I picked out some landmarks and gave the co-ordinates for these,
they had to find the landmarks and colour them in on the photocopied map.
I then asked them to give me directions using only co-ordinates (like a
treasure map) to a specific place on the map. Walk through C3 along
waterloo rd until you hit D4 - you could also give them these type of
treasure map directions.
We then progressed by plotting progress of container ship that lost a
container of shoes and the shoes washed up at various points along the
Alaskan and Hawaiin coast over a number of years - this exercise means
they have to read a commentary and extract the information and then plot
the locations....but they seem to enjoy this.
We also have an atlas chase where I give co-ordinates and the team who
finds the name of the place first wins points eetc.
By the end of it they are quite proficient at it.
**********************************************************************************************************
I used cutouts of a variety of shapes and objects. I put several on
the overhead and projected on a chalkboard when possible. I would
review north being at the top, south the bottom east and west to the
right and left. then I would ask questions such as: What is the
northern most? Southern most? etc. Then I went on to northwest etc
using the mid cardinal directions. Next I would say I am thinking of
a shape that is north of the box and south of the ball, or north of
the doughnut, south of the fish, east of the heart whatever to identify
one single shape. Finally I would tell a story such as the cat walked
over to the mouse. (What direction did she go?) They both got in the
boat (what direction did they walk?) they sailed toward the tree
(direction?) etc. I just made up the story as I went along providing
practice with cardinal and mid directions. Once they were solid on
their answers I let the students make up the questions or story. I
would rearrange the placement on the overhead of the shapes every few
questions, and add more as the student's skill level increased. I
projected on a chalkboard to facilitate modeling my thinking in
response to a question or provide hints as we went along. I also wroth
in chalk a big N,S,E,W in appropriate direction. This is not necessary
but helpful. Kids really got into it and learned map orientation and
directions.
I used the plastic class sets of maps(generic community and US or
World) to provide other hands on practice in applying map skills to
answer questions that required interpreting symbols and applying
critical thinking.
*************************************************************************************************************
Introductory Lessons:
I have found that the best way to get the children interested in map
reading is for them to find out where they live. ~We get a map of the
local area and the children put a colored dot on the map where they live.
~We develop a key so that we know which colored dot represents which
child. ~~The following lesson I have the children put together a book
sequencing where they live, from local to global (city, state, country,
continent, world) ~On each map, each page, they color where they live.
~The art teacher did a lesson with them drawing the greater local area
with rivers and bridges. ~The classroom teacher had them map their room at
home. ~
These are the lead ins to our unit on studying countries of the world. ~It
helps them understand that the world is a big place.
Draw a rough map of the library or classroom showing
tables, chairs, desks, etc. Make a copy for each
student. Ask them where the sun comes up in the
morning, and where it sets, then to draw the compass
rose. Then, to mark the chair where they are sitting
with their initials. Then, to find someone sitting far
from them and mark where they are sitting with their
initials. To draw in doors, windows, trash cans, mark
where the clock or flag is, etc. Now that they have
been a cartographer, they can understand other maps
better. Oh, and get the book Mapping Penny's World.
Maybe have them plan a trip, and how would they get from Ridgefield
Park to Florida, etc. Or How would they get from home to school. have
them write directions, and then switch with someone to see if the other
person can follow the directions and end up in the correct place.
I start off by reading _Me on the Map_ by Joan Sweeny. I usually read
this in 1st grade, but it is a really good introduction to maps that
3rd graders could also appreciate.
One activity I really like to do with 2nd gr (would also work with 3rd)
is to read _And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon_ by Janet Stevens. As
I read the book, the kids start with a blank sheet of paper. As soon
as the characters leave their home, we make a little picture for "home"
on the paper. As the story continues and the characters head west,
north, east, etc. we add the different places they go on our maps in
front of us. I have them draw the places in pencil and then use a
marker or colored pencil to draw the path from one place to the next.
We talk about how the map needs to have a title on the top, needs to be
labeled, and needs a compass rose so we know which direction to go
before we add the next stop on the path.
Another relatively new book to our library is _Map Mania_. I haven't
used it yet, but it is full of map activities.
The last idea I have is what I actually do with 3rd grade. After we
read _Mapping Penny's World_ (Loreen Leedy?) the students make a
bird's eye view map of the library. Not only do they include the
bookshelves and tables, but they also have to include labels for
everything. NonFiction has to be labeled, Fiction, and Everybody books
have to be labeled on the correct shelves. After they have made a
rough draft on paper, I usually have the students duplicate their map
in Appleworks Drawing or Kid Pix.
Hope you can use something from this. I have to say that the _And the
Dish Ran Away With the Spoon_ is my favorite activity and I think the
kids really like it.
use the book And The Dish Ran Away With the Spoon by Janet Stevens.
If you're not familiar, the dish and the spoon don't come back and the
nursery rhyme can't go on without them. Really cute!!! In the book is
the map of the places the fiddle-playing cat, dog and moon-hopping cow
went looking. I copied it, reduced it, added a compass rose and copied
it for the classes. After reading the book, I passed out the paper and
asked students to raise their hand and tell me where the animals went
next using the cardinal directions from the compass rose. They had to
say "They went North to the haystack". Wish I had my lesson plan at
home, I'd email it to you! Can you wait for a day? Is this sufficient
info to get you going? The kids loved the story and the activity.
I've used it for second and third grade.
***********************************************************************************************************************
>>I am trying to teach map skills to my 3rd graders and I'm having a tough
>>time teaching it in a "fun way." I have a lot of books that have
>>worksheets, but I find that boring... I've tried teaching the worksheets
>>outloud to the whole group, but it's not very exciting either.
>>
>>Does anyone have any good ideas that have worked that they can share?
>>
>>I am interested in teaching directions, using a compass rose, reading a
>>map, and anything else that would be interesting to 3rd graders.
>>
>>Thank you for your help. I will post a hit if anyone is interested.
>>
>>
>>Wendy Carroll
>>Library Media Specialist
>>Ridgefield Park, NJ
>>Grant Elementary School (T&Th) K-6
>>Lincoln Elementary School (M-W-F) K-6
>>wcarroll@rpps.net
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-
LM_NET
Mailing List Home