Students will be able to draw a map and read a map of their school and neighborhood. Have students help you draw a map of your classroom. Have them draw boxes to symbolize doors, windows, desks and bookshelves. Label each item. After taking a tour of the school, list all of the things you saw on the board, then divide your students into groups and have them make maps of the school. They may refer to the board to find the words to label their maps. Kindergarteners will likely need assistance with this. As a homework assignment, each student will make a map of his neighborhood with the help of his parent.
Treasure hunts are an excellent way to teach map reading skills. Draw a treasure map of your school playground. Include two to four stations. Make a copy for each student. Students will follow their maps to each station where they must answer a question correctly to collect a ticket and continue on. The first student to get to the hidden treasure will get first pick from the treasure chest with subsequent students picking as they filter in. This is a great activity to do with other kindergarten classes in your school.
Talk to your kindergarteners about the type of community they live in. Explain the difference between urban and suburban communities. Help them determine where their homes fit in by discussing the amount of buildings, homes, cars, buses, planes, trains and schools. Ask them if they know where the police station is or where the nearest hospital is. Provide students with newspapers and magazines to make a collage that resembles their community. Have them glue the pictures and add drawings if they choose. During circle time, ask students to volunteer to share their collages with each other.
It is important for kindergarten students to learn their addresses and be able to verbalize it to other trusted adults, especially if the child is lost or in trouble. Have students draw a picture map of their street and label their house or apartment number. Have them draw the things on their maps that are special to them and stand out to them. Maybe it's the park down the street or the blue house next door. This will help a kindergarten student to describe where she lives even if she forgets her address.