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Lesson Plan Image

The Road to...

Children will be introduced to basic map skills and then create maps with tracks that can be used in playful ways over and over.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Toy Cars With Moveable Wheels

Steps

  • Step 1

    Map skills go beyond learning about geographical locations and routes; they also foster important skills in cognitive and spatial development, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Read a book such as "Follow That Map!" by Scot Ritchie or "Me on the Map" by Joan Sweeney and Qin Leng. Talk about how maps usually provide a bird's-eye view of an area and use symbols or images to represent physical landmarks or or other structures.

  • Step 2

    Have children form small teams that will each create a map they can later use for play. They can illustrate a couple of images, such as a house, school building, trees, local landmarks, lakes, rivers, etc. Then they will collaboratively decide on the route from one of those destinations to another. To create the roads they can dip a toy car or truck in dark washable paint and roll it across the paper, creating a path that connects each image they drew.

  • Step 3

    When the maps are dry, they can be placed in the vehicle/block play area to be used as a map or track for toy cars or trucks.

Standards

LA: Students will learn about directions, map symbols, scales, grids, and legends. They will also use maps to follow and give directions.

Adaptations

Have children make a map of the classroom. Draw a couple of anchor images such as the door and windows on a large piece of paper. Then have students create paper cut-outs to place on the map, such as the play area, learning stations or tables, individual desks, a rug where children gather, bookcases, etc.

Point out the places on a map where fictitious characters live. For example, if there are students who enjoy stories about Paddington, show them where London, England is and also point out Peru, where Paddington traveled from.