World Map Activity

We had another wonderfully busy day here in 4th grade!  The students learned more about the rules and expectations of the classroom as well as what Lucky Bucks are and how they are earned.  The students played a little "Get to Know Me" game learning more about some of their classmates.  We read The Wise Woman and Her Secret which teaches a wonderful lesson about what the secret of wisdom really is.  I hope the kids remember that secret so they, too, may become wise!

But our most exciting activity of the day was creating a world map.  Our social studies focus this year is on Alabama History, but I think it is very important to first learn a little bit about world geography so we know just where Alabama is on the map.  The students were given an incredible challenge today and handled it beautifully!  With only paper, markers, glue and their teammates, the students created a map of the world.  They were not allowed to cut the construction paper to make the continents, but they had to tear it.  Nor were they allowed to look at or use a map for reference, they simply had to work together to recreate the world as best as they could.

While the children were at first overwhelmed with the task, they stuck with it and were able to create some very impressive maps.  Sure, the continents may not have all been the right shape or size, but generally, they were in the right places around the world.  But even more importantly, these students, after only being in a classroom for one day together, worked successfully in a group!  What an accomplishment!