Puzzle Maps
Materials:
A two-dimensional hemispheric wooden map of the Earth: the continents are cut as puzzle pieces; each piece has a small knob and is painted the same color as on the painted globe.
Six flat, wooden maps, one for each continent except Antarctica. In each continent map, the countries are cut as puzzle pieces. The puzzle piece knob is in the approximate location of the capital of each country.
A flat wooden map of the child’s country, with the states/provinces of the country, cut out as puzzle pieces. The knobs are approximately in the location of each capital city.
Purposes:
Preparation for later study of geography
Visual recognition of the forms along with the names of the continents, and oceans
Visual recognition of the forms along with the names of the countries of each continent
Visual recognition of the forms along with the names of the states/provinces of the child’s country
Age: 3 ½ – 4 ½
Preparation:
For the World Map: The child has been introduced to the Sandpaper Globe and the Painted Globe.
For the Continent Maps: The child can accurately work with the world map and the child knows all the names of the continents.
For the Map of the Child’s Country: The child has worked with the continent maps and he knows the names of the countries in his own continent.
Presentation:
Invite the child for the lesson on the Puzzle Map of the World and have them unroll a rug.
Depending on the child, you can show them how to carry it by themselves or model how to carry it with two people much like how we move a table.
Bring the painted globe. Sit the globe to the right of the map.
Explain that the map shows both sides of the globe and compare the two by finding the same components.
Explain why Antarctica is in two pieces on the puzzle.
Move globe to top right.
One at a time, remove three pieces by the knob and set them to the right of the map on the rug.
Replace the pieces.
Invite the child to take some pieces out and replace them.
Show the child where we live on the map and encourage repetition.
Take the globe and fade and observe.
**Once the child is confident removing and replacing the pieces, offer three-period lessons on the names of the continents and oceans
Control of Error:
Mechanical: only one puzzle piece fits correctly in its designated location
Language:
North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Antarctica, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic.
Following Exercises:
Continent Map- Bring the puzzle piece from the World Map that corresponds with the continent map selected. Compare the two, remove and replace a selection of pieces, and invite the child. Offer three-period lessons when the child is confident removing and rebuilding the puzzle map.
Map of the Child’s Country- Bring the puzzle piece from the Continent Map that corresponds with the country map selected. Compare the two, remove and replace a selection of pieces, invite the child, and show them where they live. Offer three-period lessons when the child is confident removing and rebuilding the puzzle map.
May be Done With all Maps
Matching to the paper control map (this is pairing)
Invite the child to build the map on the rug outside of the map base
Trace the pieces and make their own map.
Parallel Exercise:
Geography Folders
Memory Games:
Bring Me Game: Ask the child to bring you the puzzle piece for a specific continent/country/state/province depending on the map that is being worked on.
Pedagogical Notes:
The knobs should be held with a three-finger grip.
The printed maps with labeled countries are not for matching and are not to be used as part of this exercise. They are used as a reference for children who are reading to work with. It is better to use a real children’s atlas as a tool.
We can consider the Puzzle Maps an extension of the mixed impressions of the visual sense.