Mapping Skills

Some of the social studies outcomes expected for 1st and 2nd graders are:

* to show beginning understanding that maps represent actual places

* to use simple mapping skills

* to use maps to organize information about people and their environment

Our theme of Explorers is rife with opportunities to practice these skills and outcomes. We've been reading and drawing maps, and - in math class - practicing drawing maps to scale, with a legend. On Friday, we looked at maps of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and compared it to a current map of the United States. Students then colored in the states where the Lewis and Clark National Trail is, and labeled each state. This took a fair amount of time, patience, and attention to detail.

It also made it abundantly clear to the children what an amazing feat this expedition was, and what a long and arduous journey!