Diamond Mom's Treasury
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Featured Resources Of The Month

Welcome To My Blog

header for Diamond Mom's Treasury of Teaching Resources

How Hands On Activities Help Kids Learn How To Use Maps and Learn About Communities

1/23/2022

0 Comments

 

Fun Ways To Teach Children About Mapping And Communities

Learning about the world around you is an exciting concept and a time of wonderment for children. They enjoy learning about how maps work, as well as what makes up the community around them, the country they live in, and other countries around the world.

​There are many ways to teach these skills to kids. I personally like to do it through hands on activities and research projects. 
resources for learning about mapping and communities
In most curriculums teaching about community is a starting place for learning about the world around them. This involves learning about the different types of communities - urban, suburban, rural, and the features that identify them. This can be done by using books, videos, and field trips. 

One of my favorite things to do with my class was take neighborhood walks to check out the area around the school. Kids were excited to walk through their neighborhood and point out their houses and favorite places to others. They would take note of the different parks, forested areas, types of buildings, businesses, and other important landmarks. When we returned to the classroom we would discuss these different things and why they were important. We would also talk about how their neighborhood might be different from other communities and their neighborhoods.
​
neighborhood and community walks
Many younger groups of children go on field trips to the fire station, police station. farms. grocery stores, etc. as part of their education about communities. They may also have visiting members of the community as part of their community helpers unit. Of course, depending on the type of community, these locations and visitors will vary.

We can build on all of this information when learning about communities in more detail. It opens up discussion as to where different services and industries are located in the community and why these areas may have been chosen. 
map skills
Learning how to read maps and recognize symbols and locations on them is an important skill when studying about communities and geography. I have created some resources that help with this. It is important that we not assume that kids already know much about how maps work. Some may, but others will need to be walked through the different features and how to use them. This Map Skills booklet breaks it down into simple ideas.
mapping skills using grids
Once they understand how maps work, it is good to add some practical applications. Learning to use grids effectively can be practiced using different grid games and activities. Check out this mapping resource that uses grids.There is a digital version available also.
creating a community
If you really want to see if your students understand about communities, try out this project. It is a great way to incorporate all that you may have been studying. It begins will talking about the various types of communities, and then choosing a type of community to plan, design, and build. 

The design plan is directed by the children through discussions as to where to put things, what is needed, why they are placed in certain locations, and what the street plans will be. Scale is discussed and then the building of the 3D community begins.

Check out these photos for some examples of one of the communities my classes built.
3D community picture 1
3D community picture 2
If you are interested in a resource that will combine all of these elements, check out my bundle here.
Learning about mapping and creating a community bundle
I hope your students enjoy learning about mapping and designing a community as much as mine did. I would love to see pictures if you choose to make a 3D community.
For free resources, tips, and ideas, sign up for my newsletter. 
Sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date with tips, new products and special happenings.
Talk soon. Thanks for stopping by. Charlene

Related Posts

mapping skills and creating a community
learn how to create your own 3D community
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Diamond Mom headshot and logo

    About Me Charlene Sequeira

    I am a wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 9, and a retired primary and music teacher. I love working with kids and continue to volunteer at school and teach ukulele.

    Diamond Mom's Treasury logo
    Teachers Pay Teachers banner and link
    newsletter signup for Diamond Mom's Treasury

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Acts Of Kindness
    Art Project
    Assessments
    Back To School
    Canadian
    Christmas
    Classroom
    Classroom Management
    Classroom Resources
    Diy
    Family
    Freebies
    French Language
    Literacy
    Math
    Music
    Online Learning
    Reading
    Remembrance Day
    Science
    SEL
    Self Esteem
    Social Studies
    Special Days
    Summer
    Task Cards
    Teaching Tips
    Technology
    Thanksgiving
    Tips
    Veterans Day
    Winter
    Writing

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    June 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Featured Resources Of The Month