What is a Map? First-Grade Mapping Skills Resources

Are your first and second-graders struggling with map skills? They are not alone, and neither are you. The Teach Starter team is putting together high-quality, engaging, and thorough map skills resources that are perfect for the primary classroom. 

This presentation is an excellent introduction to how to read a map for kids. Text, images, and vocabulary words are highlighted to increase understanding of what maps are used for.

Concepts included are

• Different Kinds of Maps
• Compass rose
• Legend
• Cardinal Directions
• Determining location using cardinal directions

Tips for Teaching Map Skills to Elementary Students

In addition to this teaching presentation, we’ve also curated more ideas for you to use to help your firsties learn all about maps and map skills. Here are just a few!
There are several ways to teach map skills to first graders, including:

• Using hands-on activities: First graders can learn map skills through hands-on activities such as creating their own maps of their classrooms or neighborhoods, or using manipulatives such as blocks or toys to represent different features on a map.
• Incorporating games: Games and puzzles that involve maps can be a fun and engaging way for first graders to learn map skills. For example, you can create a scavenger hunt that involves finding specific locations on a map or play a game where students have to match symbols on a map to real-world objects.
• Using pictures: Since first graders may not be able to read yet, using pictures to represent different features on a map can be helpful. You can use pictures of buildings, animals, or people to help them understand the different symbols and icons on a map.

Using real-world examples: Relating map skills to the real world can make them more meaningful for first graders. You can use local maps of the school or neighborhood and show the children the real locations of the things they’ve learned to identify on the map.

This teaching presentation and your amazing teaching skills will guide students to discover

• What do you call the part of a map that tells direction?

• What are the parts of a map?

• Which map part tells the user what the map symbols stand for?

• What does a compass rose look like?

• And more!

In addition to this Geography teaching presentation, we have coordinating map-related resources, including:

• Map Elements Matching Activity
• Map Elements Worksheet
• Giant Community Map Coloring Sheet

This resource was created by Jennifer Hall, a teacher in North Carolina and Teach Starter Collaborator.