Cartographers at work!

These kiddos never cease to amaze me! What a bunch of smart talented creative children you have gifted me to spend time with! Today we started a map making project. We have been learning about maps. I planned to use this art activity to assess their map skills and art skills. Well, let me tell you, the children took that to a whole new level and the project evolved from making a simple painting to creating a map that not only demonstrated their art and map skills but also lead to so much more! They decided we should use the map to show all of the fairy tale settings we have been reading about. Then they wanted to include stores and schools ( showing their knowledge of communities) and we stopped to talk about urban and rural settings, as well as natural and man-made environments. We discussed what a community should have in it to meet the needs of its members! (We added a hospital for the big bad wolf, and an airport for the witches to land brooms! Actually a Witch-port) One  student thought we could even join the maps together to create one big map- there's my lesson on neighbourhoods!  The learning and excitement was out of this world! I seriously am teaching myself out of a job! These kids are absolutely amazing! Stay tuned for more on this evolving activity....I can't wait to see what they think of next!!!!