• Sep. 26, 2006
Around the World.
Around the world.
This is my favorite lesson plan. In fact I used it at scouts to discuss different cultures and will be using it at Co-op for its original intent.
Objectives: To learn the 7 continents, the 4 oceans and directionals(N,S,W, E)
To create a map and get a glimse into other cultures for future indepth study.
We began our travels in our living room with chairs set up like an airline. Each of my children received a passport. Which was a small necklace with their picture on the front and information about that child from moms point of veiw. Then additional paper attached to make a small book. The extra places will be for the flag to be pasted from each place we visit. They are also given a compass and we made binoculars(play 2 toilet tubes together taped and decorated. Just for fun) They are also given a brown paper bag that has been cut and ruled for a large map in the future. I added outlines of the continent shapes that they will paste on also as we go.
So off we go ... Welcome to ______ airlines . My name is Mom and I will be you flight helper this afternoon. You can be as silly as you want.
Then you pick a place on the map located in each of the seven continents. Some we visited more than once. So looking at moms larger map I explained the directionals and the compass. I had the older locate our destination.
We are headed to France on the Continent Europe. They check what ocean we travel over and what direction from where we live is Europe. We do this for each continent from the continent we are traveling from. Then they receive the flag to add to their passports and the Europe pc. for their map. If you are visting more then one place in Europe because Italy is there and Rome and so many neat places to explore you can add a sticker to that place or a push pin on the larger map to mark where you visit.
Here are some brief ideas for the places we visited. We did visit more than I posted but would be to long so I picked out one from each for you to get an idea.
Europe- France we visited the Effel tower. I showed them a picture talked about its history . Then we created a tower with our legos. You could also visit great art works in Italy or go to England and meet the Royal family.Also England is the home of Agatha Christy and Sherlock homes .
Asia - We visit China. We tried eating some gummy fish with chopsticks. We looked at some of their traditions. We also looked at the chinese new year and the little ones created Dragon garb. We used a paper bag then cut the bottom out of one side half way up so this would go over the front of their head . Then we add tissue and streames to create dragon heads.
Africa- We visited the savannah . And talked about the different animals. About herds and created and animal body and then put in on clothes pins so it stands up. These were so cute.
Antartica- Created igloos with sugar cubes and we also have a artic set. So I froze big blocks of ice for them to put the artic set in as we discussed the area they played with their figures.
South America- We found the rainforest and made a salt dough snake. Talked about the climate etc.. There are also some fun islands there to visit.
North america- We did a little state history when we came back home. You can also visit Mexico . With the mexican hat dance and pinatas. Try some mexican food.
Hawaii would also be fun.
Just remember if you use my idea that you are just gently touching on the subject.
Hey you may find them interested in the countries so much that they want to come back and learn more about a particular place later. Then you have can create a more indepth unit study on that. Also if you wanted to get more indepth you take take several day or even all year. We did this in one day because our stops were breif. Good luck eveyoneo on the contest.
This post is my entry to win a camera in the "Share Your Favorite Lesson Plan" Contest sponsored by Sprittibee and Academic Superstore.
Comments
• Sep. 26, 2006
Great lesson plan!
Posted by Anonymous
That sounds really fun. How long did it take you? I would love to see a photo of your animals that you said were so cute.
• Sep. 26, 2006
Hi Anonymous
Posted by Anonymous
I did this lesson last year so I dont have the critters to take a picture of them. I did this for my little guy because he wanted school and we werent doing it with him yet. We took about a week visiting 2 each day and then doing other work besides. Then Friday we had a sort of back home celebration. I am thinking I got the animals from family fun but dont really remember. You just do the body shapes , add hair with yarn and then the legs are clothes pins. You have to use some semi sturdy paper so they stand up. We have done horses in the past using rectangles. Hope this helps. Sorry no pictures.
Nikki
