CU 1.08Map of the Classroom, My Address, and Cardinal Directions
The child learns that a map is a view from above by mapping a table top, then the classroom and school, learns their own address, and uses north, south, east, and west.
Presentation
- 1
Place two objects on a sheet of paper on a small table. Invite the child to stand and look down on them.
- 2
Trace around each object, remove the objects, and say: 'This is a map. It shows where the things were, as if we were looking from above.'
- 3
Lay the classroom outline on the floor. Place blocks for the shelves, tables, and door while walking to each real item.
- 4
Ask the child to find a real place in the classroom from a point on the map, then walk there.
- 5
Walk the school with the printed school map, stopping at the office, restroom, and playground.
- 6
Show the nested circle cards: 'I live at [address]. My house is in [city]. My city is in Utah. Utah is in the United States. The United States is in North America. North America is on Earth.'
- 7
Use the compass to find north and hang the N card on that wall. Hang E, S, and W cards on the other walls.
- 8
Add a compass rose to the classroom map, and play a direction game: 'Take three steps north.'
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Draw a map of the child's bedroom or home
- Hide an object and give a classroom map with an X to find it
- Practice saying and writing the home address; mail a letter home
- Find north on the World Puzzle Map and globe and say which direction the ocean or a neighboring state is from Utah
Control of error
The real room: the child checks the map by walking to the place it shows. The direction cards on the walls and the compass confirm north, south, east, and west.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Places furniture blocks correctly on the classroom map
- Finds a hidden object using a map
- Says their street, city, state, and country in order
- Points to north, south, east, and west in the classroom
Guide note
Some children do not have a stable address or live in more than one home. Let the child choose which home to use and never display addresses publicly.