Lesley University School of Education
Mapping our Classroom
Beckie McKittrick
December 1, 2010
BACKGROUND
This lesson was planned for a grade one class of 20 students with a range of abilities. There are no students with IEPs.
Overall Purpose: To create a map of the classroom and be able to clearly locate several points of interest in the class using the map.
Teacher’s Purpose: As a teacher, the purpose would be to guide students in understanding that a map is a representation of space, in this case, the classroom. In addition, to help them identify key points on the map to locate areas in the classroom.
Relationship to curriculum/theme: This lesson is part of a unit on geography and its five themes.
LESSON
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Strand and Learning Standard(s):
Grade 1 Concepts & Skills 1
Describe a map as a representation of a space, such as the classroom, the school, the neighborhood, town, city, state, country, or world. (G)
Behavioral Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to draw a map of the classroom, which includes specified areas in the classroom.
Materials:
Pirate Pete by Kim Kennedy
Drawing paper
Colored pencils
A treasure!
Procedures: Bring students together as a group on the carpet or class meeting place
Review vocabulary words: map, direction, left, right, up, down, near, far, under, over.
1) Read the book Pirate Pete by Kim Kennedy.
2) Brainstorming & Discussion
a. If we were going to go on a treasure hunt in our classroom, what would we need? (write responses on chart paper/white board)
b. What are some areas or places on our classroom that would probably be located on a map of our classroom? (write responses on chart paper/white board)
c. On a large piece of poster paper or white board, draw a classroom map together as a class, locating the places that the students suggested above.
d. Upon completion of group activity, students will be directed to draw their own classroom map, choosing 4 spots in the classroom that they think are important to identify on a map. They may choose from the list or use their own ideas.
3) Students will return to their tables to work on their own maps.
a. Each student will have a piece of drawing paper and a supply of colored pencils
Motivational Techniques:
Read the book Pirate Pete by Kim Kennedy. Tell the students that we are going to go on a treasure hunt today!
Wrap-up:
The students will have a treasure hunt in the classroom and will need to use their maps to find the treasure using clues provided by the teacher.
Assessment:
Informally as a group during discussion and individually when viewing each student’s map.
Modifications:
Some students may want to sit on the carpet and draw so they can see the sample map
Students who do not have good fine motor skills may do better with chunky crayons or fat markers
Pitfalls & Solutions:
Some students may become frustrated about drawing objects in the classroom for the map. Students would have the option to label the map with words instead of pictures.
