What is a Lapbook?
You might be wondering what I'm talking about... Lapbooks are essentially a smaller version of an interactive notebook, and are focused on one specific topic. The idea is that as you teach a particular skill, students will complete short practice activities and add them one by one to the book. When they are finished, they have a beautiful, visual record of everything you've covered!
We make these using a manila file folder or a 12x18 piece of construction paper, so they're the perfect size for primary students. They hold just enough information to be helpful, without overwhelming students. The majority of the activities added to the lapbook are interactive in some way. They might include pockets, folding pieces, or some other component that makes them much more fun than a regular old worksheet!
One of the main benefits of using a lapbook is that you'll have everything you have covered in your lessons in one convenient place. As you teach new facts, they all get added to the lapbook. The students really enjoy this because they can look back on what we've learned and share it with their families after our lessons are over.
How to Use Lapbooks to Build Map Skills
So, how do these help build map skills in the primary classroom? I'm so glad you asked! In my room, I like to use lapbooks as a visual support to build map skills. While a variety of activities are used to introduce and teach map skills, lapbooks provide some hands-on learning practice that my students absolutely adore!
Basic Map Skills Lapbooks
Are your kids brand new to map skills? You'll want to start with the basics! In this Beginning Map Skills Lapbook resource, you will find tons of great activities to facilitate some hands-on practice in your classroom. This resource focuses on cardinal directions, using a compass rose, reading a map key, and more.
As you introduce each new topic, consider completing an activity in the lapbook to practice. This will really help to make all of the things you're learning stick. Not to mention, your students will love showing off what they've learned as you work through the beginning map skills unit.
I like to complete 1-2 activities at a time as a whole group. For example, during our very first introduction to this topic, we typically complete the vocabulary section and the compass rose section. These activities include cutting, sorting, coloring, folding, and gluing, which bring a hands-on learning element to our lessons. I love that my kids are getting fine motor practice as we dive into these concepts. Plus, hands-on learning helps my students absorb the information better.
As we learn new things, we complete a section or two in the lapbooks to continue to build map skills. For more information about how to structure your beginning map skills lessons and activities, be sure to read this post next for an in-depth look!
Continents and Oceans Lapbooks
Once your kids have a basic understanding of map skills, it's time to expand! Moving from the simple maps of your school and community to the larger world map is a fun way to level up in the primary classroom. This is where students will really begin to understand the importance of maps in our world! In my Continents and Oceans Lapbooks, you will find even more activities to practice map skills. Let's take a peek at some of the activities we use specifically for this purpose.
Vocabulary Activities
As primary teachers, we know that vocabulary is an essential piece in understanding any new topic. That's why this resource includes a section for students to cut, sort, and match definitions to the correct words. The words included in this resource are continent, ocean, country, and equator.
The students will cut apart the definition cards, then cut along the dotted lines and fold the word card pieces to create "lift the flap" sections. Then, they match each definition to the word and glue it into place.
There is also a compass rose included, with labels for each of the cardinal directions (east, west, north, south). Students will cut out these pieces and glue them down in the correct places before attaching them to the lapbook.
Continent Map & Facts
We need a map to practice with, right?! In this resource, you will find a large map of the world that shows all the continents. They are labeled, and below the map, you will see a color code chart. Students are asked to color the map by code and practice naming each of the continents. I like to talk about interesting facts for each continent as we are learning them. I found that this really helps students remember which one is which.
Speaking of continent facts, we also have a section on our lapbooks for this, too! There is a pocket section that can be easily attached to the lapbook but cutting and gluing along the edges. Students also get a set of facts for each continent to cut out. We read them aloud one by one, and students add them to the pocket for safekeeping. There's a similar activity included for ocean facts, too!
My Continent
One of my favorite things about building map skills is that they help students understand where they are in the world. This is especially important when it comes to learning about the continents! Once we learn about each one, it's fun to point out which one is "ours" and what makes it unique. This adds a touch of personalization to your oceans and continents lessons that will spark interest in your classroom.
For this section, students will record interesting facts about their continent, such as important cities on their continent, animals found there, the number of countries, and more. The students love this activity, and it's a great way to check in on their understanding of what you've covered so far!
There's also an activity included where students get to choose their "perfect" continent. I love having each child stand up and share what they chose and why. It's always fun to hear what students like about some continents vs. others. I also like to have them come up and point out their favorite continent on a globe or map as well.
Build Map Skills with Lapbooks
I hope you've enjoyed seeing how these activities in my Beginning Map Skills Lapbook and my Continents and Oceans Lapbooks can really bring maps to life! I love watching those lightbulbs go off as students begin to understand how the map helps us to better understand our world. The lapbook activities we use help bring a visual, hands-on learning element in our lessons to better facilitate all of the concepts we're covering. If you're looking to help build map skills with concrete learning activities, make sure to check out these resources in my TPT Shop. I know they'll make a big difference for you, too!
Looking for More Support?
We love learning about map skills! Make sure to check out these posts next for more information.
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