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LESSON 7: TABLETOP-O

DESCRIPTION:

Students will use a model village to practice the relationship between objects, view a space from the top-down, and begin to develop basic concepts of matching objects to shapes on a map. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Spatial Awareness

  • Symbols

  • Map Orientation

  • Top-Down Perspective

  • Teamwork

  • Communication

MATERIALS:

  • 5-7 Objects

    • 3-4 Different types

      • Popsicle sticks

      • Lego houses

      • Rocks

  • Blank paper

  • Pencils

  • Flat surface

  • Obstacle course obstacles

INTRO:

Orienteering maps show objects in real life. Students will use a tiny village to learn how to read a map, and will then play a game in the tiny village. In order to play the game, students will have to learn how to identify objects based on their shapes, how to orient a map to match real life, and work together as a team. 

WARM-UP:

Copycat: Students copy whatever movements the instructor demonstrates, or follow whichever instructions are provided by the teacher. 

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Obstacle Course: Students run, jump, and crawl their way through a series of obstacles as quickly as they can.

MAIN ACTIVITES: 

Tabletop-O - Students use a variety of objects and maps to make tiny villages, understand the relationship between 2D shapes and 3D objects, and play a hide-and-seek game inside of the tiny village. 

REFLECTION:

  • What did we learn about the shapes of objects? Do they look different depending on which side you look at them?

  • Why do we draw maps based on looking down from above? What would happen if we tried to draw a map based on what we see from the ground?

  • What was challenging about deciding which map matched the village?

  • How did you work together to find the scrap of paper, and later to build a village? What other ways can you work together?

EXTRA ACTIVITY:

Treasure Collectors: Students hide and find objects scattered throughout the area.

NOTES:

It is very important to start with an active warm-up game, since many students are eager to move around and play after a day of school. We also want kids to be fit and healthy, so it's important to offset a slow-paced learning activity with a fast-paced fun activity.

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It is also important to emphasize teamwork during this activity. Teaching the kids to work together and cooperate will not only make your life easier, but it is a crucial life skill for them to develop as well.

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