AAAARRR. . .Find me Buried Treasure

Today we are going to become pirates and search for hidden treasure. Ahoy, ye mates, are you ready to set sail?

Now there's a trick, as there so often is. I will take your directions and blacken any directions that are not based on map skills. That means some of you may have an awfully difficult time locating treasure.

UPDATE::

• Only one pirate was successful in their search for the elusive treasure. Directions were blackened and frustration was rampid. We discussed the problems we found
• oh no! We don't know our cardinal directions-no worries, we fixed that by putting up signs. Now, we all know where north is. PHEW!!
• Too many black lines. Some people need to go back and rewrite directions.
• Amanda was successful and earned the class a tasty treat of marshmallows. This happens to be one of my specialities so..  .be prepared for sugary delightful goodness coming your way. THANKS AMANDA! Special thanks to Jeremy for writing such specific directions.

In addition, we talked about the root words: GEO and TERR--which mean earth. Study, study, study--a test it is a comin!

For tomorrow

1. complete your radical root card for geo and terr. Color is fabulous so make it bright and cheerful.

Exploring Taiwan

I hope you all had a fabulous 3-day weekend! Now, let's get ready to work!! Today you are going to be exploring Taiwan's physical feature by creating a physical feature map. This is in preparation for an assessment on creating maps. You must write down your sources--we call writing down sources "citing sources." So, cite your source. To cite your source, you write down the entire URL where you found the map.

Just a tip. . .when you go into google search:

• click on images
• type in the search engine: Taiwan Physical Feature Map
• Choose a map you like
• Write down the URL
• Then, follow the directions on the hand out to create your very own map of Taiwan.

An assessment is coming. . .you will need to be able to construct your own map, identify and place physical features on a map, know what physical feature means, and be able to find information on the map.

GOOD LUCK!! Taiwan map is due on Wednesday If you lost the information sheet, here is another copy 

Which Way to the Pencil Sharpener?

We will begin class with a short assessment on maps.

Then, we will look at  a map of AST's campus and begin an activity where you are the map maker. This activity may take us several days to complete, that is A-OKAY!

First, we will look at a map of AST's campus and analyze the map. Where is North? What do the different symbols mean? Can you use the scale to determine distances? These questions and more will be answered.

Next, you will construct your own map after hiding a special treasure. You must create a treasure map so a fellow classmate can access the treasure. Will you draw your map well enough? Will you be able to provide written directions so your classmate can find the treasure? Only time will tell.

Homework? But of course!

• You will begin to work on your treasure map. Come prepared to have the classroom drawn and all elements of the map included by Wednesday. 
• Have the questions answered about AST's campus

A Test, it is a Comin. .. .

Here is a presentation that will help you study for your test on Monday. Remember: your test will be over the major map features (in this prezi), locate the seven continents, and locate the 5 major oceans. This assessment will be worth a level 3. For levels 4 and 5, you must wait until we begin to study ancient civilizations. Good luck, kiddos!!

Copy of Map Elements on Prezi

What do We Know??

This is it, what we currently know about maps, continents and oceans as a 6th grade. So, we have nowhere to go but up, up, up and away.

So, how exactly are we going to get there? Well,  you have your text book, pages H18-H19 that will help you with the important parts of a map. You have your own copy of the world map, and today, we are going to practice, practice, practice.

You will receive labels that have all of the items we discussed on them. You will try to label your map with them. Pick them up, do it again, and again, and again. Then, we are going to discuss the different land features that can also be on a map. A land feature is simply a piece of land that has a specific name-for instance, a river is a land feature, so is a mountain. You can also use your text pages H22-H23 for more help. More vocabulary. . .UGH! But, get this down for your test. . .coming soon, and you'll be all set to move on to Prehistory.

***If you want your very own copy of the world map, follow the link to the right that says MEGA MAP and you can download maps.


A test is coming on Monday. You will need to know the location of these items:

• 5 Major Oceans of the World
• 7 Continents
• 4 Major Map Features

This test will be a level 3 out of 5. As we move into Prehistory, you will have opportunities to score level 5s when you begin to apply the map skills you've learned to analyzing different elements.

More Map Fun

Well, today we are going to focus on what the important parts of maps are. After all, a map should be useful, shouldn't it? For instance, do you know the 4 main items every map must have? How about your continents, know them? The five major oceans? Well, you will soon. So, let's get to brainstorming!

You will need your text book today as we will do a little bit of reading. The information we read will be of the utmost importance. . .test in the future? I think so!

Magical Map Makers

Today is the day you've all been waiting for. The very first day of Middle School! Exciting, right? Well, this year we will take a whirlwind tour through ancient times. In order to fully understand and appreciate these ancient civilizations, we need to begin by gaining some background. We will spend the next few days constructing a map, not just any map though--this will be a MEGA MAP--HUGE. . .245cm by 245cm. Will we be successful? Only time will tell.

Today, 64 pages of A-4 paper, tomorrow, perhaps we'll have a 245cm square world map. Let the games begin!