Today at the maker's table, the children worked on a treasure map. We had the paper strips, tape, crayons, and markers to work with. When we gathered together in the morning, I told the children that we should try to make a map using those things, and I asked what they knew about maps. Conversation immediately turned to pirates and treasure. Three children started out helping with the map and they stayed for about 10 minutes, adding the features in the pictures below. There were also chipmunks, babies, and cords added.
taping down roads
adding new kinds of roads
more roads, an ocean, and an airport
making pirates
and adding them to the treasure map.
I chose this prompt because of some map-making I've seen here and there online lately, and also because of the interest the children have in using a map during dramatic play. It has been a challenge for me to document and make connections across days and weeks in this setting, but explorations like this seem really positive because the children engage in something very open-ended, and I learn a lot about them as they talk and work. Our plan is to add to it tomorrow - the tape was a hit, but we'll also offer more materials, and do more to get conversation started about what this map can be for.
My daughter loves drawing maps before she goes off on an imaginary adventure in the house, giving her a few extra map making supplies would probably really excite her, thanks for the idea.
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