Neighborhood Map

Kids become map-makers as they take a new look at the school neighborhood!

1.

On walks around the school neighborhood, take notes and sketch important features such as streets and buildings with Crayola® Washable Markers. Study local maps for neighborhood details, and note changes since the maps were printed.
2.

Draw your own map of the neighborhood on a large sheet of construction paper using your notes and sketches for reference. Prepare to create a large 3-D map of the area. Decide with your friends who will make which building.
3.

Create a building model using small cardboard boxes, Crayola Model Magic, construction paper, and collage materials. Cut paper to cover buildings with Crayola Scissors. Glue dry modeling compound and other items together with Crayola School Glue. Decorate with Crayola Washable Glitter Glue. Dry overnight.
4.

Set the buildings in place on a solid base such as recycled cardboard or thick foam. Create street signs, landscaping, roads, people (yourself?), and animals to complete the map.

Benefits

Students observe, take notes, and sketch the school neighborhood during walks. Young students focus on the immediate area, while older students branch out farther.
Students study local maps and draw original neighborhood maps based on their observations and sketches. Attention to detail, proportion, and scale increases with older students.
Children transform 2-dimensional drawings into a 3-dimensional map of the school neighborhood.

Challenge more skilled children to create buildings to scale and in proportion to one another. Study types of architecture and building construction.
Hold a scavenger hunt using children's maps.
Children with physical challenges might use computers, photography, and other methods to record their observations and construct their maps. <i>This lesson plan was adapted from ideas submitted by Sandra Vachon of Lachine, Quebec, Canada, for the 50 States - 50 Weeks Dream-Makers® series.</i>