that students have experienced measuring and navigating with pictorial
objects and an applet, this lesson establishes the connection between
maps and how these tools help us find our way.
Some ideas that may be important to share:
- Maps are pictures that show information.
- We can use maps to get from one place to another, to find a
treasure, to know what parts of the earth are covered with water and
which are covered by land, and the location of rooms in our home or
Place your hand on a piece of large paper taped to the board and
trace around it. Solicit information from the students about how to
draw a map of your hand. Students might suggest that you name and label
the fingers (thumb, pinky, ring finger, tall man, and index). Encourage
them to talk about which hand it is (left or right) and to locate the
Next, trace the opposite hand on another piece of paper and map it
using vocabulary from the students. This helps students understand how
the vocabulary is used in a practical way. Discuss the similarities and
differences between the hands.
Have students work in pairs to trace a set of each other’s hands on
one sheet of 12" × 18" construction paper. Folding the paper in half
helps students have enough space to complete the task. Have the
students label their “Handy Map” with their name and label the parts of
Allow students to take turns guiding their partner on a tour of
their hand map using appropriate vocabulary: Up, down, right, left,
above, below, beneath, “small” turn, “large” turn, and backward. If
appropriate, students may write a story about their “Handy Map.” The
stories and maps may be displayed on a bulletin board or serve as a
cover for a portfolio of measuring and mapping activities from this
unit. These student products are appropriate for inclusion in
portfolios documenting students’ growth and achievement. Having
students share their products and conduct “guided tours” develops
confidence with the mathematical concepts of this lesson.