Map-tastic School Adventure Quest

2nd Grade Project 4 weeks

Map-tastic School Adventure Quest

Tracy Hill

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to equip students with essential mapping skills through hands-on exploration and collaboration. By creating a detailed map of their school environment, students will learn to identify and use map features, symbols, and directional skills effectively. This project encourages students to apply their understanding of relative and absolute locations in real-world contexts, fostering spatial awareness and critical thinking. Through interactive activities, students will develop confidence in navigating spaces and communicating their findings, culminating in a community-based exhibition that showcases their achievements.

Learning goals

Students will develop an understanding of map elements and their functions, including the ability to identify and use symbols, legends, and cardinal directions. They will enhance their skills in determining relative and absolute locations through hands-on activities and collaborative map creation. By engaging in experiential learning, students will build confidence in navigating and representing spaces, culminating in the creation of a detailed and accurate school map. The project will foster teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills as students present their work and reflect on their learning journey.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.G.A.1: Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given number of equal faces.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3: Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

Products

Students will collaboratively create a detailed and visually engaging map of the school, incorporating essential map elements such as a compass rose, legend, and labels. Throughout the project, they will also produce individual maps of their classroom or bedroom, fostering personal connection and understanding of mapping concepts. As a culmination, students will design a scavenger hunt map, complete with clues and directions, to guide peers and family members through a series of interactive challenges during the 'Mapping Adventure Day.'

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Map Detective Day' where students embark on an exciting adventure to solve location-based mysteries around the school. Provide each team with a set of clues that require them to use maps and directional skills to find specific locations. Encourage collaboration and problem-solving as they navigate the campus, fostering curiosity and excitement for the mapping project ahead.

Exhibition

On 'Mapping Adventure Day,' students will lead family members through interactive map-based challenges around the school. Using their self-created maps, students will guide participants to solve location-based riddles and complete tasks at various school landmarks. This event will showcase students' mapping skills and the practical application of their learning, providing an engaging experience for both the students and their families.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: 'Map Detective Day' Launch - Students work in teams with provided clues to explore the school using maps and directional skills, solving location-based mysteries.	Activity 2: Reading and Discussion - Read 'Me on the Map' by Joan Sweeney. Discuss the concept of maps and how they help us understand locations.	Activity 3: Introduction to Maps - Introduce students to different types of maps (physical, political, thematic). Show examples and discuss their features.	Activity 4: Personal Map Creation - Students draw a simple map of their bedroom or classroom, labeling key features and practicing using symbols and legends.	Activity 5: Map Feature Exploration - Teach map elements such as title, compass rose, legend, scale, and grid. Have students explore real maps to identify these elements.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Students create a personal map (either of their bedroom or classroom) with labels, a simple legend, and symbols.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Gather various types of maps (physical, political, thematic) for students to explore during the introduction activity. 2. Prep Task 2: Prepare 'Map Detective Day' clues and a simple map for students to navigate the school, ensuring safety and clarity. 3. Prep Task 3: Obtain a copy of 'Me on the Map' by Joan Sweeney for reading and have discussion questions ready. 4. Prep Task 4: Create a checklist of map features and symbols for students to use as they create their personal maps.

Week 2	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10
Activities	Activity 1: Review Map Features - Briefly review map elements (title, compass rose, legend, scale, and grid) using examples from last week.	Activity 2: Relative and Absolute Location - Explore the concepts of relative and absolute locations using classroom examples and simple games. Use examples like 'next to the window' and 'desk #5.'	Activity 3: Compass Rose and Cardinal Directions - Teach how to use a compass rose to find cardinal directions. Engage students in an outdoor activity where they use a compass to find North, South, East, and West within the schoolyard.	Activity 4: School Campus Exploration - Take a guided tour around the school, marking important locations. Have students work in pairs to sketch rough drafts of different school areas.	Activity 5: Collaborative Map Creation - Divide students into groups to refine their sketches into detailed sections of the school map. Incorporate map features such as compass rose and legend.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Completed rough sketch maps of designated school areas by each student pair. 2. Deliverable 2: Group-created detailed map sections incorporating map features and symbols.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Prepare simple directional games or activities for students to practice relative and absolute locations. 2. Prep Task 2: Obtain compasses for students to use in the outdoor compass rose activity. 3. Prep Task 3: Plan the school campus tour, ensuring students have access to key locations to sketch. 4. Prep Task 4: Create a template for students to use in their rough sketches, including space for labels and symbols. 5. Prep Task 5: Collect materials for collaborative map creation, such as large paper, markers, and rulers.

Week 3	Day 11	Day 12	Day 13	Day 14	Day 15
Activities	Activity 1: Map Feature Review - Gather students to review their sketches and map sections from last week. Discuss improvements and additional features needed for clarity.	Activity 2: Labeling and Detailing - Students refine their map sections by adding detailed labels, landmarks, and symbols. Encourage creativity in representing features.	Activity 3: Peer Collaboration - Facilitate a session where groups share their map sections with peers for feedback. Students will exchange ideas and suggest enhancements.	Activity 4: Map Integration - Combine completed map sections into one cohesive school map. Work as a class to ensure consistency in features like legends and compass roses.	Activity 5: Reflection and Adjustment - Conduct a reflection session where students review the integrated map. Identify areas for final adjustments and discuss how well it represents the school.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Refined map sections with detailed labels and symbols from each group. 2. Deliverable 2: Integrated school map displaying a unified and comprehensive representation of the campus.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Prepare materials for labeling and detailing, such as colored markers, stickers, and reference images of school landmarks. 2. Prep Task 2: Organize peer collaboration stations, ensuring each group has space and resources to present their work. 3. Prep Task 3: Designate a large space for integrating the map sections into a single map. Ensure materials like tape and additional paper are available. 4. Prep Task 4: Develop a reflection guide with questions to encourage critical thinking and constructive feedback during the reflection session.

Week 4	Day 16	Day 17	Day 18	Day 19	Day 20
Activities	Activity 1: Final Map Review - Gather students to conduct a thorough review of the integrated school map. Encourage them to assess its accuracy and functionality for visitors.	Activity 2: Scavenger Hunt Creation - Have students design and write clues for a scavenger hunt based on their school map. Ensure all clues require the use of absolute and relative locations.	Activity 3: Gallery Walk and Feedback - Facilitate a gallery walk where students present their maps and scavenger hunt plans to peers. Provide structured feedback and allow for quick revisions.	Activity 4: Mapping Adventure Day Preparation - Guide students in organizing their maps and scavenger hunt materials for the upcoming exhibition. Practice guiding each other through the school using their maps.	Activity 5: Mapping Adventure Day Exhibition - Host the event where students lead family members through the school using their maps, solving riddles and completing the scavenger hunt. Celebrate students' achievements.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Finalized school map ready for exhibition, incorporating feedback from the gallery walk. 2. Deliverable 2: Completed scavenger hunt with location-based clues, demonstrating students' understanding of relative and absolute locations.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Prepare a checklist for the final map review to ensure accuracy and completeness. 2. Prep Task 2: Gather materials for the scavenger hunt, including clue cards and any necessary props. 3. Prep Task 3: Set up the classroom for the gallery walk, ensuring space for map displays and feedback stations. 4. Prep Task 4: Coordinate logistics for Mapping Adventure Day, including inviting family members and organizing maps and clues. 5. Prep Task 5: Develop a celebration plan for the exhibition, including certificates of achievement or other recognition.