mapping out
It has been decided (by popular opinion) that world geography and cultures will be one of our focus areas for school next year and the kids are so excited about our new geography center. Here is how I set it up:
The new map cabinet is really cool, with all of the Montessori puzzle maps stacked neatly within. A world map, a separate map for each continent (except Antarctica) , a US map, and a map of the oceans are all included. On top are the globe and 12 “dolls of Europe” with cute little traditional clothing. Above are all of our Geography resources including atlases, geography books, books about other lands, world architecture kits…all good stuff! Superboy got very interested in the books Material World and Hungry Planet, which we had ordered long ago for his Around the World study, and which we never got around to. He spent some time with those books and now he is really inspired to give world geography a go next year.
In the bottom of the cabinet resides for now an old puzzle map of the USA, but as soon as I get them finished, this will be the spot for JBug’s continent boxes. My idea is to have a photo-file sized box filled with interesting things related to each continent, including books, pictures of people, food, landmarks, buildings, and animals, some coins and other things. I already have several things to go in, but no boxes yet. Need to pick some up soon.
I’m pretty excited about this next thing!
One of the things I made to go into the continent boxes were little pin maps. I thought really long and hard about how I wanted to do these. I wanted to make them age appropriate for JBug, which means not much reading yet. I part company with Montessori a bit in that I am not so interested at this age that she learn the names of a lot of places. I’m more concerned that she become familiar with maps, and learn the skill of looking at, and finding things on a map. So I made these that I think will work for that purpose:
It is just a very simple little index card sized outline map, glued to a slightly larger piece of corkboard. I included 5 pushpins to use as map pins and deliberately left them unlabeled. This way, as she does various activities and looks through her continent books, and learns about the different continents, she can pin whatever she likes! It could be a river, a mountain, an animal habitat, who knows! Whatever strikes her fancy. And I think 5 is about the right number of pins for such a young child.
I made one for each continent. I left them blank so she can color them herself to match her puzzle maps.
I also made these:
These are continent cards, coordinated to her pin maps. The purpose of these is that as she pins things on her pin maps, she can label them on these map cards. Then she will have made her own set of control cards! 
Next I am working on a way to make a more challenging version of these for Superboy.
I have to admit, we are all pretty excited about this stuff, myself included. Next year should be fun!
Filed under: Curriculum or Lack Thereof..., geography, montessori
Drooling over this center, and thanking you profusely for more great ideas. I have been trying to figure out how to make the map work part of our “Trip Around The World” work more easily. While we will be using Google earth and maps for some of the activities, I wanted to make sure it translates onto paper map skills. We are leaning toward a note/ scrapbooking approach. You have inspired me to get to work on some of this next week as well!
I really like those simple little pin maps. I think my 4 yo might be able to use something of the sort. Since I don’t think we’re going to be able to get those wonderful puzzle maps (!) soon, I’ve been looking at pin maps to fill the gap. Need to get my color printer hooked up, though!
That center is fantastic. My 7yo would love a place like that. He is so into Geography. I might have to try some of that for him because he has already requested to do a world notebook. I said fine as soon as he finishes the States one that he is working on now. Thanks again for the great ideas.
Great minds think alike … we’re doing the same theme for next year. I am also pondering maps. *LOL* I *love* your center and your corkboard maps! AWESOME!
Oh Theresa! This geography center just looks awesome! I wish I could homeschool with you next year! It’s so inviting – I love the map center. I admit, I’m a little jealous – the cabinet is beautiful, and there is that perfect space down there for your continent boxes! Absolutely lovely! How lucky your children are. I can’t wait to use this inspiration from your blog and see how it translates with our geography materials! Don’t you just love what all of this Montessori loveliness is doing for our learning rooms?
We had a good time with geography last year. I spent so much time teaching them the continents and countries…we will still be working on them next year. I have a great book that includes crafts to do for different countries….really fun. Maybe we can exchange some ideas!
That sounds, great, Sherri! What book are you using for the crafts? I need something like that.
This is excellent, Theresa! You are so creative. I LOVE the idea of having continent boxes and keeping them with your maps.
I am totally going to steal….uh, borrow this idea! lol Really creative! Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us!
Blessings,
Sherry
This is fabulous. I’m drooling as well.
Theresa, this is phenominal, it turned out so nicely!! I’m so glad you decided to use the push-pin/cork board mapping boards, I’m so excited about this, boy is all this gonna liven things up in the Geography department, eh!!! I can’t wait for my cabinet and puzzles to come!! I also got the sandpaper globe as well as the world one! So fun, bravo!!! What an incredible learning environment for you all!
Wow! What a great take on pin maps- I think I just added another project to my list. I can’t wait to see those continent boxes.
Wowza!!! How cool is this! Love it.
That looks like such cool stuff… as usual!
YOu are so inspiring to me!