Map Treasure Hunt

This idea I'm about to share is not my own...it is my brilliant team member's Kristina Rorem!  We share lesson plan duties and this week she was in charge of Social Studies.  The lesson for the day was spectacular.  We have been focusing on map skills and vocabulary.  Today they had to put their knowledge to work!  By the end one child said, "Man, that was fun but I sure am exhausted."

First, I made a map of the classroom.  Then, I had to hide and mark on the map where I put the post-its.  Each table was color-coded, green stars found green post-its.

I gave each table their map and they had to find the location on the map to find their post-its.

When they found all their post-its, they had to figure out the mystery mapping word.

This is the finished product!

It was also a great informal assessment for me because right away I could tell who could read a map and who needed more assistance.

I used words that we had just recently learned and put on our Social Studies/Science word wall.

If you get into mapping, I highly recommend taking the time for this!

College Words

I saw this short video on the Teaching Channel about using College Words.  The teacher took words that they used on a daily basis and beefed them up to expand their vocabulary.  Great idea, huh?  I knew my kids would love it and it encourages college...YIPEE! 

I created this document {which is a bit big} with instructions, classroom vocabulary card, and journal labels for the students to take some ownership of the words.  Some of the words are geared towards characters that we love...you know that Junie B. Jones, she's a riot! Other words I chose because of rules or behaviors we see over and over again, such as linger {I was definitely thinking of a few kids who like to linger and leave big gaps in our line}. I plan on using a couple words a week and having the students mark the bottom with a tally everytime they use it.  So look back for the 2nd edition!

College Words 1

Enjoy!