📖

Make Your Own Map

Map Keys and Legends

Day 85of 180
Week 17of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Create a map with unique symbols

2

Develop a map key explaining symbols

3

Practice spatial thinking and creativity

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 3:19

“Yahweh by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.”

— Proverbs 3:19 (WEB)

God is the ultimate mapmaker, creating the world with wisdom and purpose

📦 Materials Needed

  • White paper
  • Colored pencils or markers
  • Stickers
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather children and discuss how maps help us understand where things are located. Remind them of previous map key lessons.

💭 Review Question: What does a map key help us do?
2Teaching (5 min)

Explain how to create a map with symbols that represent different things

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Choose a place to map (real or imaginary)
  • Draw boundaries and basic landscape
  • Create symbols for different features
  • Make a clear map key
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What special place would you like to map?
  • What symbols could represent different things?
3Activity: My Special Map Project (10 min)
hands-on

Students create their own imaginative map with a complete map key

📝 Instructions:
  1. Choose your map location
  2. Draw the basic outline
  3. Create unique symbols for different features
  4. Write a map key explaining each symbol
  5. Color and decorate your map
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Provide pre-drawn map template

Challenge: Create a 3D map with raised features

4Closing (5 min)

Share maps and discuss what makes a good map key

📝 Review Questions:
  • What symbols did you use?
  • How does your map key help others understand your map?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for giving us the ability to create and understand maps. Help us use our creativity to explore and learn about Your wonderful world.

Coming up: Next week, we'll learn more about how maps help us explore different places!

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 3:19

“Yahweh by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.”

— Proverbs 3:19 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create hand motions for 'wisdom', 'founded', and 'earth'

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

First grade students are developing spatial reasoning and symbolic thinking skills

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage creativity
  • Help with symbol design if needed
  • Praise effort over perfection
🤔 Common Struggles:

Some children might find creating symbols challenging

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Clear symbols, attempt to create a map key

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a map of their bedroom
  • Make a treasure map with a detailed key
  • Compare maps with classmates

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 86 →Back to History & Social Studies