## Lesson Plan: Basic Maps and Directions
### Year Group: Year 1
### Subject: Social Studies
### Topic: Basic Maps and Directions
### Duration: 1 hour
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### Learning Objectives:
1. Students will understand the purpose and basic features of maps.
2. Students will identify and use basic directional language (e.g., up, down, left, right, near, far).
3. Students will create simple maps of familiar places.
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### Materials Needed:
- Large paper or whiteboard
- Coloured markers/crayons
- Pre-drawn simple map of the classroom or school
- Small paper for individual student maps
- Stickers or dot stickers
- Picture books with maps (optional)
- Compass rose diagram
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### Lesson Outline:
#### 1. Introduction (10 minutes)
- **Greeting and Introduction**: Welcome the students and briefly introduce the topic.
- **Discussion**: Ask students if they have ever seen a map and where. Display a simple map (e.g., map of the classroom or the school) and explain its purpose.
- **Questions to ask**:
- What do you think this drawing shows?
- How do you know which way to go based on the map?
#### 2. Teaching/Input (15 minutes)
- **Explain Maps**: Show the different parts of the map (e.g., labels, symbols, compass rose).
- **Directional Language**: Use the pre-drawn map to demonstrate directional words (e.g., up, down, left, right, near, far).
- **Activity**: Have a large compass rose diagram and show how North, South, East, and West are represented.
- **Interactive Activity**: Place dot stickers around the classroom and have students direct each other using basic directions to reach various points.
#### 3. Guided Practice (20 minutes)
- **Map Creation Activity**:
- **Step 1**: Hand out small pieces of paper and ask students to draw a simple map of their classroom or home.
- **Step 2**: Encourage them to include a few labels and directional symbols.
- **Step 3**: Circulate and assist as needed. Praise efforts and creativity.
- **Peer Sharing**: Pair up students to share their maps with each other, giving directions based on their maps.
#### 4. Closing (10 minutes)
- **Review**: Briefly recap what was learned about maps and directions.
- **Question Time**: Allow students to ask any questions they might have about maps and directions.
- **Exit Activity**: Have students explain one directional word they learned today and point in that direction to leave the class.
#### 5. Extension Activity (Optional)
- **Map Reading**: Read a picture book with maps (e.g., "Mapping Penny’s World" by Loreen Leedy) and discuss the maps in the story.
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### Assessment:
- **Observation**: Monitor student participation during the guided practice activity.
- **Map Drawing**: Evaluate the students’ maps for understanding of basic elements and directions.
- **Informal Assessment**: Use questions and activities to gauge students’ comprehension throughout the lesson.
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### Differentiation:
- **For Students Needing Extra Help**: Provide a partially completed map for them to fill in with labels and directions.
- **For Advanced Students**: Challenge them to include more details on their maps or to create a map of a larger area such as their neighbourhood.
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By the end of this lesson, students should have a basic understanding of how maps work and how to use simple directions to navigate space. Engaging students with hands-on activities will make the lesson both educational and enjoyable.