and maps. Three other books that I have used are Where Do I Live? by Neil Chesanow; Follow That Map: A First Book of Mapping Skills (Exploring Our

Leave a lot of time to complete this project. It will take longer than you think for everyone to finish – and that is ok! With the organizational tips above, it will be easy to do over a couple of days! I have my students keep their circles they have finished in their unfinished boxes and then take the papers they haven’t finished and put in their unfinished boxes as well, that way they don’t lose their spot. Conclusion Book list: I have provided a great book list for each unit with suggestions for picture books and nonfiction books to read together.

Find a Scheme of Work

Me On the Map is a great early introduction to social studies by giving them an overall picture of how they fit into the larger world. This study guide is compiled of 8 units to help them learn all about their home, street, city, state, country, continent, and planet. Upon first looking at it, it definitely presents as a book that would be used for younger learners. However, when you are looking at it as a book for teaching those skills of where you relate in terms of global aspect it takes things down to a simple level and is very much appropriate for grades K-5.

This has got to be the best easy explanation of maps for young kids! I have used this books with preschoolers to explain how maps work and many older 4 year olds and 5 years olds "get it!" Good for K-4th grade to explain what maps are and how they work. I would think teaching orientation would be a good next step. I remember learning about maps in 2nd grade and being complete enthralled with them! The skills needed to read and interpret maps are a part of visual literacy, which is a set of skills and habits of mind necessary to “read” images. Further, visual literacy means not just decoding an image but comprehending it — grasping the image’s intended meaning, evaluating it, and incorporating it into other knowledge. 4. Builds Schema Some teachers have to teach map skills as part of their curriculum. However, even if you aren’t officially responsible for teaching map skills at your grade level, it is still important and extremely beneficial to make time for lessons involving direct instruction related to this concept. Doing so will not only provide general geography knowledge, but will help in other key areas of learning. Learn all about why it’s important to teach map skills and how to do it using Me on the Map activities below! Why It’s Important for Teachers to Teach Map Skills Circle Template: At the end of each unit, your child will complete one circle from the template provided. At the end of the guide they will have 7 complete circles that will grow larger from their home to their planet.

Teaching about the latest events?

Yet, all too often, I have found adults who are clueless when given a map- forget orienting it! Someone needs to make sure all children can read and orient maps before leaving grade school! Aren't they learning geography anymore??? This is the perfect book to start with. Nice, simple illustrations of maps that young children can easily understand. Large print is easy for younger readers to follow along with and read. Explanations of how maps work and how to create them is simple enough for very young children to understand. Hands on learning opportunities like these Me on the Map projects are a great way for students to build a conceptual understanding of map skills. They also provide fun and engaging learning experiences that students will remember. How to Implement Me on the Map Activities Maine was originally part of Massachusetts. The district was included in the Charter of New England [ 1] in 1620 and the Charter of Massachusetts Bay in 1629, which became the Constitution of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the predecessor to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Do you know a different type of map that one time early before ships had navigation; the captains had to read the stars to navigate the ship to its destination to different countries around the earth all over the globe. What is the purpose the author writes in Me On The Map? It seems to me the author is trying to show the reader how fun and easy it is to read and make a map. As you read Me On The Map, have you decided what kind of map would be the most useful? Take a read and find out and enjoy and see where the adventure may take you. Field Trip Ideas: The first few units also include fun field trip ideas in your area that go along with the Explore section. Visiting great places near you is an amazing learning experience.

It’s here, it’s done, and now available!! I’m so excited to offer you Me On the Map: An Early Elementary Social Studies Guide! This project can be difficult for students to complete independently and correctly, unless teachers support their students in staying organized. 1. Use Different Colored Paper My favorite tool for teaching almost anything is read alouds. There are a lot of great read aloud books focused on the topic, but the one I feel is best for really helping children in grades K-5 to understand how various places relate to one another and to strengthen their visual and spatial skills is Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney. Learn more how I use this book to teach map skills below! 2. Class Discussions

Purpose: To introduce young children to the World around them and how they are located in comparison. Beginning terminology of geography is also introduced. Maine occupies an area of 91,646 km² (35,385 sq mi) [ 2], compared it is about the size of Portugal. Compared in scale with other US states, it is the largest of the six New England states, but it would fit more than seven times into Texas.

Work with maps and focusing on the concept of our place in the world will help students to increase their comprehension and make better connections to both fiction and non-fiction texts that reference different geographical locations. 2. Strengthens Spatial Thinking Explore: This is where you will focus on one particular topic within each unit to learn more about. Videos and printables are available to continue learning.This lesson is best accompanied with the book Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney. The book follows a girl from her individual self and zooms out into her room, her house, her street, her state, her country, and her world – just like this project does! It is a great introduction to maps and how are different communities are connected. Depending on your students’ ability levels you can either have them work on these independently, in a small group or as a whole class. The project can be completed in one session or you may prefer to spread it out over several days and really focus on each of the components (planet, country, state, etc). Class discussions are a great opportunity to explore what students already know about geography and gives students the space to learn from one another. This ties in nicely with doing a whole group read aloud. 3. Hands On Learning Experiences There are a lot of great books focused on the topic, but the one I feel is best for really helping children in grades K-5 to understand how various places relate to one another and to strengthen their visual and spatial skills is Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney.