"X" Marks the Spot!

Students will work with a partner to design a treasure map using the Google Draw platform and write simple directions to find the hidden treasure. 

Duration
Multiple days
Lesson Type
1:1 Lesson

Lesson Created By: Donna Washington

Essential Question

How can I design a treasure map to include 2-D shapes?

Grade(s):

  • Kindergarten
  • 1

Subject(s):

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Prior to teaching the lesson, collaborate with the Technology Teacher to teach students how to use the Google Draw toolbar to access 2-dimensional shapes, lines, and color to create a space in their world.

Lesson Progression

Day 1:
1. Begin the lesson with BrainPop, Jr.'s Reading a Map. After the video, discuss/review with students the different kinds of maps that are used to show places in our world. 
2. On a magnetic whiteboard, list examples of kinds of maps used to describe places in our world (map of the school, a map of a community, a map of the state, a map of the country, and a map of the world) and place a corresponding visual to accompany. 
3. Ask students: how can we use 2-D shapes to design a treasure map? How would you tell someone how to get to the treasure?
4. Explain to students that they will create a "draft" of a treasure map using 2-D shapes. Show BrainPop, Jr's Plane Shapes video (about 3:30 minutes) to review basic 2-D shapes. 
5. Next, give students a half of sheet of plain paper. Tell students that they will work with a partner to create a treasure map and tell steps to find the treasure.  Draw an example on chart paper. 
6. Circulate in the classroom assisting students as needed. Remind students to include a map key and compass rose. Give students sentence starters and position vocabulary words (up, down, left, right, around, etc.) to assist with telling how to get to the treasure.
7. Allow students to share their maps. 

Days 2-4:
1. Review the lesson from the previous day. 
2. Display on the whiteboard a new Google Draw. Explain to students that they are going to take their map draft and create it in Google Draw. Demonstrate for students how to insert shapes and resize the shapes to create a composite map for the hidden treasure. Share with students expectations for the finished product. 
3. Note: This is an enrichment activity. It would be best to have a second set of hands to assist students with Google Draw. The writing can be completed during Writer's Workshop.   

 

Teacher Notes

This is an enrichment activity with the assumption that students have prior knowledge with reading and identifying simple features of a map (Key and cardinal directions) and basic knowledge of 2-D shapes. 

"X" Marks the Spot Checklist

A simple checklist to use for the activity.

View Resource

Assessments

My World Checklist/Rubric