Map Skills by Soli Deo Gloria is a 2-3 week unit study for K-3rd grades ($14.00). It is a comprehensive unit study that only needs to be supplemented with your own choice for a math curriculum and phonics/language arts for younger readers. Map Skills contains several ideas for practical applications along with crafts and fun activities for young learners. It also provides worksheets (for copy work, handwriting, etc.) along with an answer key.
One of my favorite practical applications was for the kids to make their own drawing/map of their neighborhood. I took this one a step further. You know those rugs you can buy that have some sort of cartoon-y (is that a word? LOL) town with streets on it? You know, the same ones they sell for little boys to drive Hot Wheels on? Ours bit the dust so I plan on taking a used flat bed sheet and have the big boys draw a map of our neighborhood on it with fabric markers. Then they have learned part of their map skills and my little chunky monkey has a new toy for the gazillion Hot Wheels we have. :)
Most everything else you need for Map Skills you probably already have in your home such as a globe, a road atlas, and map of your local city. Along with the purchase of this unit study, it is recommended that you purchase an additional workbook from another source. However, I think you could probably find your own supplemental worksheets, ideas, etc. free online. There are also recommended books that are available at most libraries. I noticed my own local library only had a few of the recommendations, but we are a small community. When using other unit studies, I've learned that ANY books related to a unit study can usually be substituted. ;)
Overall, I think the boys enjoyed this. It is definitely a beginner's study for map skills, but my oldest was able to inject some of his previous knowledge into the lessons for my middle son.
*I was given a free copy of the above curriculum only for the purpose of a review on this blog. I was in no way compensated by the vendor.
Posts
