Introducing Maps--Activity for young children. Goal: Students will become familiar with maps. Objectives: Students will recognize and name the various parts of the map (ie, buildings, roads, rivers, parks. etc.) Students will be able to understand what a symbol is. Materials: A map showing a 'bird's eye view' (of your town, if available ) projected on an overhead. Map hand-outs Crayons, colored pencils, etc. Procedure: Begin by getting the students to tell you what they think a map is. What is a map? Why do we use maps? What are some of the things you can find on the map? Are all maps the same? Could we draw a map of our classroom? If necessary, explain the difference between a road map and a bird's eye view map. Turn on the overhead. Ask the students what they see on the map. Houses, roads, cars, etc. Point to each as you repeat each observation. Ask what a symbol is. Talk about why maps use symbols. Pass out the maps. Have the students color or mark their maps as you call out various things on the map. "Color all roads brown. Put an X on all the houses" If the students are a little older you can have them follow a route that you choose. Give directions such as 'Start at the corner. Turn right onto Main Street. Put an x on the second building on the left hand side of Main Street' and so on.

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