This first article will address ITBS preparation by increasing the student's skills in the use of maps. Using road maps to teach students map concepts is not specified in the Georgia QCC and is frequently overlooked. However, road maps may be efficiently used to teach map concepts such as direction, location, distance between points, and map keys. The success of this approach at Canby Lane for all students, and especially second and third grade students, has generally been demonstrated by dramatically improved map reading skills by the students involved. Requires - Four or five sessions.
Sessions are limited to one half hour as a reasonable limit on the student's attention span.
Highway Map for each student. Session 1 - Student introduction to maps and understanding of the general cardinal map directions, and location of a student's home locale within a larger area. Introduction - write student's answers to the following questions on the blackboard. Hand out one current Georgia DOT road map to each student - Allow time for the students to become familiar with the maps and express comments before proceeding. Clarify any obvious misconceptions.