Mapping Points of Interest

Grace shares about her grandmother who lives in Avalon New Jersey

​We noticed the children were referencing specific cities, states and countries when talking about their collections, so we introduced some maps to the room. Our conversations about maps have strayed from collections, and children focus on ways they travel, people they love who live in far away places and locations they have traveled to.  They are also interested in the shapes of land, Grace observed the United States and commented, “That’s a whale, him have a tail.” Will has repeatedly referenced “going to number 5,” a highway marked on the map of the US map. They are using numbers to identify locations on the map, what other ways will they be able to read and recall areas of importance? 

​"If we don’t know where were going, after we’re done with this island, that we're already on, and we don’t know where we’re going next, we can look on a map." Jossie