Redwall+Map+Reinforcing+Activity

Benchmark Grade: 3-5 Benchmark: A. Use map elements or coordinates to locate physical and human features of North America.

Redwall Map Reinforcing Activity After reading the Redwall Map book with the students, have a mini lesson about the elements of the map: compass, legend, symbols, landmarks, scale. The students need to have an idea of how to read a map before they are able to make their own map. If you find the students struggling with the concepts, find a map and model reading a map with the class. After they have gotten the concept of the elements of the map introduce the make your own map activity. Take your class for a trip around the school. Start from your classroom and make your way to different parts of the school, such as other classrooms, the head office, the gym, etc. During your walk, ask students to record any landmarks they pass along the way, for example, a water fountain or a fire extinguisher. Once you are back in the classroom, divide your students into groups of four and ask each group to create a map of the school that includes all the things they saw during their walk. Remind students to include any landmarks they noticed as well as symbols and a legend. Explain to your class that these maps should help a visitor find his/her way around the school. (For example, parents might use the maps when visiting on parent–teacher night.) They must include landmarks, scales, compasses, and legends. After each group has finished drawing and coloring their map, you can take the maps and laminate them to hang in the room. You can have your students work in groups on making the maps or you can have them do the activity individually, but if you have your students do them individually you might not be able to hang up the maps. When this activity is complete the students will be able to interperate maps and create maps. They will understand how important concepts such as, landmarks, compasses, and scales are.