Map Making Program
Preparation
Step 1: Gather atlases and maps (bus maps, street maps, and maps of the library work well).
Step 2: Using markers or crayons, draw a map of your own neighborhood on a plain piece of paper to use as an example. Label locations: “my house,” “ fire station,” “pizza,” or “library.” Spend less than five minutes on this map. Allow it to be imperfect. Make copies of the example to hand out or draw it with a thick colored marker on a large piece of paper or whiteboard (whichever you have available) so that it’s big enough for everyone to see.
Step 3: Check Writing Box supplies.
The Workshop
Step 1: Show the group the atlases and maps you have gathered and ask the children what kinds of maps they have seen before.
Step 2: Show the children the map you drew of your neighborhood and, if possible, quickly draw another map as they watch—a map of the inside of your house, for example, or a map of the children’s room in the library.
Step 3: Ask for suggestions of different kinds of maps the children could make and list some other possibilities:
- A map of their neighborhood
- A map of their body
- A map of the inside of their house
- A map of an imaginary land or planet
- A map of a fairytale: Where exactly is Sleeping Beauty sleeping?
- A map of a buried treasure
- A map of a story they like: Where is Harry Potter’s aunt and uncle’s house? What do the grounds of Hogwarts look like? What does Harry’s room look like? Imagine the world that Beverly Cleary creates. How far is Ramona’s house from school? Where do Henry and Ribsy live?
Step 4: Give the writers markers, crayons, paper, and mentor texts. If writers are stuck for ideas, help them with labeling or with suggestions.
Step 5: Give a five-minute warning for cleanup. Remind writers when the Writing Boxes are available to use in the library. Clean up the area and put away supplies.
Step 6: Take a few minutes to share the work.
