Where in the World Am I?

Overview
Preparing to study Japan, youngsters apply introductory geography skills. They find answers to "Where in the World Am I?" as they examine Internet maps and the globe, use map software, and make a world mural. A CD ROM helps them identify a senior center in their own community.

For more about this special from A Glimpse of Japan ~ From Our World to Yours e-mail Mary Rudder, author and AT&T Teacher Disseminator.
Learning Standards
  • Listen to a non-fiction story and answer related questions.
  • Read and create simple maps.
  • Identify continents and oceans.
  • Classroom Activities
    While listening to their teacher read Me on
    the Map
    , students picture themselves as
    part of their home, state, and country.
    Introduced to the Internet, they examine
    satellite views of the Earth. Teacher
    downloads Megamap from web site, prints
    the largest size (64 sheets), and mounts
    it onto mural paper.

    Children label and paint oceans (blue) and
    continents (different colors). They also study
    a world globe to identify and name
    continents and oceans. The final product,
    hung in the hallway, serves as a reference
    source for classes throughout the year.
    Software enhances the children’s map reading
    skills and geographical concepts.
    Community Activities
    To understand community features, children
    work with the CD Wanderoos Go to Town.
    They learn about community helpers and
    brainstorm ways to help their community.
    Identifying a neighboring senior center
    prepares them for community service learning.
    Careers
    Students use Wanderoos Go to Town
    to research community helpers.
    Materials
    Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney, 1998:
    Dragonfly; world globe, mural paper,
    markers, poster paint, bean bags
    Technology
    Students research and download maps
    from the Internet. To develop community
    awareness and map reading skills:
    Wanderoos Go to Town, Travel the World
    with Timmy, My First Amazing World
    Explorer. Teacher uses ink jet printer
    for map transparency.

    Assessment
    Map Game: Before displaying it, children
    place the mural map on floor and use it as a
    game board. Blindfolded children stand one
    foot from the map and toss bean bags on it.
    Removing blindfolds, they identify landing
    spots. Score one point for identifying land
    or water, two points for naming continent
    or ocean.

    Web Sites
    Mega Maps - free download
    http://www.kidsdomain.com/down/pc/ommegamapsp.html
    Earth and Moon Viewer
    http://www.fourmilab.ch/earthview
    /vplanet.html