Creating a Floor Map of Africa

Creating a Floor Map of Africa

Adapted from a lesson by Cynthia Bauer

Overview:

This lesson is to introduce students to the continent of Africa, with an emphasis on the size of Africa and the concept that it is not itself a country but is composed of many different countries. It will also provide practice using a variety of maps to find information on a certain place. The size of the map, the opportunity to handle and manipulate the countries, modifications of the resource maps (using symbols instead of words where necessary). and the ability to express information in many ways make this lesson particularly valuable for students with limited English.

Teaching Level: 2-5

Connection with the Curriculum: Reading, Writing, Science, Art, Geography

Connection to State Content Standards:

#1 "Read, interpret and make maps, charts and graphs to explain spatial relationships."

Connection to National Standards:

#1 "How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools and technologies to acquire, process and report information from a spatial perspective."

#4 "The physical and human characteristics of places."

Materials:

Large outline map of Africa and its countries - about 5' x 5', enlarged on butcher paper with the overhead, large clear vinyl cover (purchase by the yard at a fabric store)
Vinyl cutouts of countries - put additional clear vinyl over the paper map, trace Africa with a permanent pen, and cut it apart)
Assortment of thematic maps (at least 1 map must have names of African countries),
clay or dough (4 parts flour, 1 part salt, and enough water to make soft dough),
yarn, colored paper, scissors, glue, pencils, tape, overhead markers

Procedure:

Brainstorm "What we know about Africa", record.
Students may work individually or in pairs. Lay out the paper outline map and cover with vinyl cover. Tell students they will be creating a map of Africa.
Pass out a vinyl country to each individual or pair. They first find the place where their country fits on the large outline map. They then move around the room looking at the African maps to determine the name of their country and 3-5 pieces of information about its weather, physical features, cities, history, people, wildlife, vegetation, etc. A variety of information is desirable.
Students then decorate their vinyl country with its name and some depiction of this information, using clay, pictures, words or any combination of materials. If they are showing a physical feature that is shared with another country such as a river, it would be good to collaborate with their neighbors.
When their country is finished, it should be placed on the large map. Paper pieces may be placed between the layers of vinyl, but if they are too large, the country may not stick to the vinyl cover and will need to be taped in place. Students then orally share what they learned.

Extension:

Overlay countries to compare distances.

Create 3-D graphs on the countries.

Add latitude and longitude lines to the paper map and play a navigation game.

Cut around the pieces and make a paper or fabric quilt of Africa.

Trace a journey by slipping small diary entries under the plastic.

Alphabetize or order the countries.

Create a travel game by giving distance and direction moves.

Make a collage of photo impressions of each country.

Hang the map by inserting grommets.