The key to a map

The students will use a map of the classroom to strengthen their map reading skills. They will work in groups and use a prepared map of the classroom to find hidden messages.

A lesson plan for grades 1–2 English Language Arts and Social Studies

By Melissa Lasher

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Related topics

• Learn more about cardinal directions, compass rose, experiential learning, geography, language arts, map reading, maps, and social studies.

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Learning outcomes

The students will be able to use a map of the classroom (especially the map key and symbols) to find hidden messages located around the room and will be able to create a map of their own.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 Hours

Materials/resources

• 1 Map of the classroom for each group (use a different color for each group).
• Enough note cards to leave an individual message for each group of students.
• Markers to match the colors of the maps to write the message for each group.
• Adhesive to stick the note cards up around the room and on the board once all of the messages are found.
• 8 x 11 white paper (1 for each child in the classroom)
• Crayons or markers to draw maps

Pre-activities

• Before introducing this activity to the students, the teacher must create a map of the classroom. The map can then be photocopied onto colored paper (a different color for each group).
• Messages need to be written on note cards, putting 1 or 2 words on each card. Make sure the messages are written in the same colors as the paper on which the maps are printed.
• On each map, draw the path around the room that the children are supposed to take to find the different messages. Using a different path for each group will allow the children to move freely around the room without getting all bunched up in any particular area.
• When all of the materials have been prepared, the lesson needs to begin with a review of the different components of a map (especially the compass rose, map key, and symbols). Discuss the importance of each component.
• As a class label the directions in the room.
• Discuss symbols commonly found on map keys.

Activities

1. Divide the students into groups of 4 or 5 children. Smaller groups would work, but larger groups would not. Ask the children in each group to stand together, and place them at the starting point for their map.
2. Tell the students that they are going to receive a map of the classroom. Since there is only 1 map for each group, they will have to work together and share the map within the group. The map will lead them to pieces of a message that are hidden around the room. When the pieces are put together they will make a message.
3. Give each group a map, and ask them to look it over for a few moments. Make sure they are looking at the map with the compass rose matching the directions labeled in the room.
4. Discuss the different symbols used in the map key. Identify the objects in the room that are represented by the symbols in the map key.
5. Explain to the students that the maps can be used like a treasure map to find some hidden messages located around the room. Each group has a different message that will be written in the same color that was used for their map. Each piece will be located in a different part of the room. (This will prevent one group from simply following another group around the room).
6. Explain that the pieces of the messages are hidden so that just walking around the room and looking for the pieces will not work. They also have to keep the pieces in the correct order to create the correct message when the pieces are put together.
7. Ask for any questions that the students might have about the map or the task that they are supposed to perform.
8. Tell the groups to go back to their starting point once they have found all of their message pieces. They should then work on putting the message together. Messages should not be shared until all of the groups have found all of their pieces.
9. Allow the students to find their messages by following their maps around the room. Monitor the children to make sure that they are using the map and not just wandering around the room.
10. When all of the groups have returned to their starting points, have each group share the message they found with the rest of the class. It is fun to make all of the individual messages part of a whole group message that can be shared when all of the messages are put together. (The adhesive that was used to hide the messages around the room can be used to display the entire message at the front of the classroom.)
11. Discuss how the students found each of the messages and answer any questions that they may have about the activity.
12. Give each student 1 sheet of white 8 X 11 paper. Tell them that they have been able to put together the messages because they were able to follow a map. Their homework assignment is to create a map of their bedrooms. They need to include a compass rose and a map key. The map is due the following morning.

Assessment

• Monitor the students’ use of the map while they are locating the pieces of the hidden message.
• Look at the students’ maps of their bedrooms looking specifically for the compass rose and the map key (with symbols that match the symbols used on their maps).