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.
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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.
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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
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