Marvelous Maps: Exploring and Making Maps Together (Self Paced Version)
In this self paced class, children will dive into the wonderful world of maps, giving them creative ways to use their reading and writing skills as they learn about different types of maps and become map-makers themselves.
Inga Vintimilla
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(300)
What's included
4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentClass Experience
Maps can be mysterious, showing the location of a hidden treasure, they can be informative, helping us find our way to a friend’s house or they can spark our imagination, representing a world that only exists in our mind. Maps are also a fantastic way to get children excited about using their developing reading and writing skills, making this a great class both for emerging or reluctant readers/writers as well as confident readers/writers. In each video lesson, learners will take a close-up look at a different type of map. We will notice how the maps include symbols, words, numbers, and drawings to represent information. I explain map-related vocabulary and some of the ways that people use maps in their everyday lives. We will even learn some interesting facts about maps. I also present open-ended questions to encourage learners to notice and really think about each map. To get learners excited about making maps of their own, each video presents a fun map-making challenge. This course includes 4 lessons: 1. Treasure maps 2. Maps of special places 3. Street maps 4. Unusual maps For more details about each lesson, please look at the syllabus. The video lessons are easy to pause and return to if the learner wants to refer back to previous information as they make their own maps. In each video, I model one way to begin the map-making challenge to help learners get started. The goal is for each child to take what they are learning about maps and use their current literacy skills along with their imagination to make maps that are meaningful to them. Self-paced learners can share their maps with me while they are enrolled in the course. Learners share by uploading a photo, writing a comment, or using the Outschool platform to record a video message. Twice a week, I will respond to work submitted in the classroom and will reply with a written response or a video message. The age range is flexible for this class. If you have any questions or want to know if it would be a good fit for your learner, feel free to send me a message. I hope your learner chooses to explore maps with me in this course!
Learning Goals
The overarching goal of this class is to spark children's excitement for using their current literacy skills in playful and meaningful ways both as they participate in class and afterwards at home. I believe that learning to read and write is a process that develops gradually with support, time and authentic opportunities to use their developing skills. The way each child engages with the activities in this class will depend on their stage of literacy development (they may be drawing, writing letters and/or words, recognizing symbols, letters and/or words). The class is designed to support the child in their current stage of development and to inspire them to use their current skills in new ways. Learners will also learn map vocabulary, some of the ways maps can be used and different types of maps that exist.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Treasure maps
We will look at a mysterious map and follow a path where we could possibly find a buried treasure. This treasure map might be pretend, but it still gives us a chance to discuss real map terms like the compass rose and how pictures and words can be used on a map to show the terrain like quicksand and deep lakes. The map-making challenge will be to make a treasure map of their own. The first week also has a short bonus video lesson with a map-making game you can do at home. Lesson 2:
Maps of special places
We will look at visitor maps of the San Diego Zoo and a San Diego state beach, noticing lots of ways that symbols, pictures, numbers, and words are included on the map to help us find our way around these places. We will also see how a key/legend can help us to understand a map’s symbols. Our map challenge of the week will be connected to making a map of a special place, real or imagined, and will encourage learners to include symbols and a key on their map. Lesson 3:
Street maps & using a map to find your way
This week’s video will take us outdoors as learners virtually join me and my dog for a short walk. We will be on the lookout for landmarks and details that we can add to a basic street map. This week's maps give us the opportunity to talk about street names and landmarks, as well as discuss how we can use a map to find our way. Learners will get to make a map of a real or imagined place with information to help someone find their way along the path they create. Lesson 4:
Unusual maps
Did you know that people can use a map to find the path up the side of a rock wall, or that they have maps of the ocean floor? We will look at a few examples of unusual maps and notice how they are different and how they are the same as some of the previous maps we have seen during our class. These maps will help get our creative juices flowing for this week's map-making challenge. Learners will be invited to make an unusual map of their own that still includes some of the key map components. Other Details
Supply List
Basic supplies for writing/drawing (paper, crayons, markers and/or pencils)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
4.9
300reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Education from Portland State University
I have a Masters in early childhood and inclusive education with an emphasis on literacy. I have been an educator for 20 years and am passionate about teaching literacy skills that support a lifelong love of reading and writing. I see all children as capable individuals who are motivated to learn when their interests are honored and they are encouraged to make their own discoveries. Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$10
weekly or $40 for all content4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 87 learners
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Ages: 5-8
