Now that students have experienced measuring and navigating with pictorial objects and an applet, this lesson establishes the connection between maps and how these tools help us find our way.
Some ideas that may be important to share:
- Maps are pictures that show information.
- We can use maps to get from one place to another, to find a treasure, to know what parts of the earth are covered with water and which are covered by land, and the location of rooms in our home or school.
Place your hand on a piece of large paper taped to
the board and trace around it. Solicit information from the students about how to draw a map of your hand. Students might suggest that you name and label the fingers (thumb, pinky, ring finger, tall man, and index). Encourage them to talk about which hand it is (left or right) and to locate the wrist.
Next, trace the opposite hand on another piece of paper and map it using vocabulary from the students. This helps students understand how the vocabulary is used in a practical way. Discuss the similarities and differences between the hands.
Have students work in pairs to trace a set of each other’s hands on one sheet of 12" × 18" construction paper. Folding the paper in half helps students have enough space to complete the task. Have the students label their “Handy Map” with their name and label the parts of each hand.
Allow students to take turns guiding their partner on a tour of their hand map using appropriate vocabulary: Up, down, right, left, above, below, beneath, “small” turn, “large” turn, and backward. If appropriate, students may write a story about their “Handy Map.” The stories and maps may be displayed on a bulletin board or serve as a cover for a portfolio of measuring and mapping activities from this unit. These student products are appropriate for inclusion in portfolios documenting students’ growth and achievement. Having students share their products and conduct “guided tours” develops confidence with the
mathematical concepts of this lesson.
