Children need the chance to explore and understand where they live and all the places surrounding them to make sense of their world. Through geography, children can feel a connection with people they have never met and places they have never been. Through these connections, children can be inspired to care about their place and their communities. This book includes chapters explaining the concepts of location, perspective, scale, orientation, map symbols and map keys, and the five themes of geography. In addition, chapters are included on various types of maps and the use of technology to teach map skills. There are suggestions for 100 activities to teach the concepts, assessment questions, and annotated children's literature that relate to the concepts. The book includes a suggested scope and sequence for teaching map skills in the elementary grades and a glossary of geographic terms.
Industry Reviews
For teachers looking for a comprehensive resource with research-based and standards-aligned student activities to teach geographic skills, Mapping is Elementary, My Dear by Kay Gandy is an innovative new resource. Her chapters clearly detail strategy steps, suggested grade levels, and materials, making it a simple process for teachers to integrate these creative tasks into daily lessons. This is a must have resource for K-6 teachers! -- Rebecca Stobaugh, author of books for teachers including, "50 Strategies to Boost Cognitive Engagement"
Kay Gandy's love of geography and teaching shine in this book of engaging activities for elementary students. Each chapter includes a concise explanation key geography concepts and dozens of easy-to-implement and fun learning activities. While geography is the focus, the interdisciplinary approach also addresses math, science, literacy, and history. -- Cynthia W. Resor, author of books for teachers including, "Investigating Family, Food, and Housing Themes in Social Studies"
Teaching social studies at the elementary level can sometimes be challenging because of time constraints and lack of resources. Dr. Gandy's book is an excellent resource for elementary teachers because it provides high-quality lessons that target geography concepts in an engaging way for students. Including topics such as location, perspective, types of maps, mapping with the 5 themes, and mapping with technology, each chapter includes short summaries of strategies with appropriate grade levels, time needed, and children's literature connections. With the national focus on inquiry in social studies, this book is excellent for strategies to help students investigate their world through the lens of geography. -- Jana Kirchner, Social Studies Consultant, JK Consulting; Author of Decoding the Past: Inquiry-Based Lessons in U.S. History and Inquiry-Based Lessons in World History
I love this book! I feel that it is very user/teacher friendly. Mapping is Elementary, My Dear will allow the reader to feel comfortable picking up and teaching geography concepts. It is not too wordy and gets right to the heart of the matter. There is information for background, and then activities! As an elementary school teacher it is very helpful to have a book that contains so many great ideas for easy activities that I can use to cover the standards. I know that my students will be engaged in Social Studies discovery when I use this book! -- Harmony Hendrick, 5th grade teacher, Jody Richards Elementary, Bowling Green, KY
