Examples include mapping the classroom, building replicas of tangible places, mapping watersheds, and making contour maps. Given all of these stages, it's important to remember to take things slowly as we introduce children to mapping. The more tangible and visible places a child has to map, the stronger the connection between the real world and the abstract, two-dimensional world of atlases, and road maps. In the beginning, maps represent their experiences of beauty, secrecy, adventure, and comfort. In order to foster a sense of place, it's important for children, as well as adults, to become good map readers and creators.
Maps are everywhere, from glove compartments to airplane terminals.
If we begin mapping activities early with neighborhoods, nature areas and schoolyards as a point of reference, we can help to develop a citizenry that are geographically aware and not afraid of Rand McNally. A fun and unique way to do this in your classroom is to build potato mountains. Cut a potato in half horizontally. Each half will serve as its own potato mountain. Draw evenly-spaced horizontal lines across your mountain.