Content and Skill objectives:

Students will be introduced to and have a beginning understanding of:

– Map skills

– How the directions on a map correspond with ‘real’ life directions.

– How symbols on a map represent real things.

Materials Needed:

– Any version of Peter Pan

– Note from Captain Hook

– Map of playground for each student

– Large posterboard Compass Rose

– 10 keys located in appropriate locations

– Hidden treasure (lock box with coin candy or other treasure inside)

Procedure:

1. Read the book Peter Pan. Find a note taped at the end of the book from Captain Hook. The letter explains that he has hidden a treasure and ten keys in the playground. It is our job as a class to find the keys and the treasure. One key will open the box. We must follow the directions on the map.

2. Students are paired off and each student is given a map of the playground.

3. The map will have 10 numbered keys at different locations on the playground, as well as an X for the treasure.

4. Children must find the keys in order. Each pair in responsible for finding the key assigned to them.

5. Before going outside, we will discuss how directions (North, South, East, and West) are indicated on a map by using the Compass Rose. Instruct students to raise on their tippy toes while saying North, squat while saying South, move to the right while saying East, move to the left while saying West. This should be done while looking at the map. We will review the real-life directions by pointing in a direction and stating the name of that direction. We will decide how the large Compass Rose needs to be situated, in order to have all the directions pointing in the correct direction. We will bring the large Compass Rose outside with us to help us remember our directions.

6. Each pair of students will take turns leading the class to their key. Before they begin leading, they must explain how they need to get to the next key by looking at the map. They must say the direction they need to go (North, South, East, West), and point in that direction. They also may say landmarks (such as the swings) that will help them find the key. Students must stay in a double file line by their partners and not get ahead of the people in front of them. Students are very excited by this point and discipline is important.

7. After each pair has found their key in order, the class can decide which direction to go to find the treasure (marked on the map with an X).

8. Return to the classroom. Students will take turns seeing if their key opens the box. When a key opens the box, everyone cheers and the treasure is split evenly among the class members.

9. The class will write or verbalize how they found the keys and the treasure using North, South, East, and West.

Evaluation of Student Performance:

– Students will be observed on their understanding of the map and directions during the activity

– Students will also be observed on their comprehension of the activity during the writing of the paragraph, if time allows.

E-Mail

Krista Weiss

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