My students love using maps. There is a buzz of excitement when I pull down the very old, faded, oversized board map. They look at the placemat sized mats I hand them and point out places they've heard of or where their grandma lives. It also amazes me how much the don't know when looking at a map!
I've created a couple activities to help guide students through their map enthusiasm.
1. 7 Continents and Oceans Maps Sing and Point
Give your students a labeled map and sing and point to the continents. Here are a couple
Youtube videos that play catchy continent songs:
2. Label the Continents and Oceans on blank maps
Keep singing the songs and pointing to a blank world map.
Use a map activities rubric to fill in the map.
Personally, I like to use blank maps and give the kids rulers to make straight lines and label the map.
For students who have trouble writing neatly, I give them maps with lines already drawn.
3. Find the Physical Features of the World
Your students can extend their knowledge of continents and oceans to physical features of the world.
They can find mountains, rivers, deserts, and oceans on the map.
My students always need to use a physical map to support them with this, but they love finding the physical features.
4. Continents and Oceans Quizzes
You know when you teach for a couple days and then you realize you need a quick grade? I like having grades that show kids learning and grades that show understanding. These quizzes allow a for a quick grade.
I hope your kids have fun learning about the continents and oceans with these map skill activities! What else do you do when practicing map skills?
Here are a couple Map Skills products on Teachers Pay Teachers.
