Today’s literary skill: Today’s discussion will have a focus on Washington State history and the use of map skills. Spatial thinking is a skill that allows us to process and comprehend the places and spaces around us (geography, global perceptions, Earth and environmental sciences). It deepens our ability to value and engage with history (time). In math and science, spatial thinking enhances our ability to perform estimations and perform accurate measurements. Food for thought: “Why does the Bible give precise locations?” Did you know that the British and American antique roadshows rank early maps as one of the top items in which values continue to to escalate (second only to masterpieces of art).
- Making the family connection: Discuss: “What do you notice?” Allow a few minutes for everyone to add 1 or 2 details from the slide above. Ask: “What don’t you know?”
- Materials: family learning journals/paper, pencils, colored pencils, and/or crayons
- Remind them to open their journals to the next available page and date it. Don’t forget to have them label the top of the page with today’s learning topic/skill.
- Next: Demonstrate how to draw a circle in the middle of their page and label it Washington State.
- Then: Show them the first slide, let them choose 6 details from the slide to “map” around the center circle. *Hint: have them write the detail then draw the circle around it. Don’t forget to line link the 6 details to the center circle. Allow 6-10 minutes. Share.
- Learning extension: 1. WA state symbols: https://leg.wa.gov/Symbols/pages/default.aspx
- Learning extension: 2. National Geographic Map Skills: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/map-skills-elementary-students/
