Title – Address Directions Idea

By – Amber Hutchins

Primary Subject – Social Studies

Grade Level – 3-5

Procedure:

One of the first objectives I teach in Social Studies is absolute and relative location. After discussing with the students the importance of using landmarks and distances, I have the students complete a homework assignment:

Write the directions from the front entrance of the school to your house. Be sure to use landmarks, distances and a brief description of your house. At the bottom of the page write your complete address.

The next day when I take up the students’ homework, I ask them to write the name of their favorite candy bar on the top of the page.

(I usually have a sample of 4 different candy bars and ask them to pick from one of those)

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That is when I explain that each Friday, I will pull one student’s sheet from a box. If I can successfully follow their directions to their house, they will receive their favorite candy bar. Sometimes the students are not home and I have to leave a note with the treat.

My students LOVE this. It also gives me an opportunity to meet their parents.

Some teachers I work with have used this idea and visited a home each day until they have completed all the students.

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Amber Hutchins

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