{"id":459027,"date":"2010-03-22T10:41:17","date_gmt":"2010-03-22T14:41:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/openwidelookinside\/archives\/2471"},"modified":"2010-03-22T10:41:17","modified_gmt":"2010-03-22T14:41:17","slug":"teaching-geography-with-children%e2%80%99s-literature-puzzle-maps-u-s-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/459027","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Geography with Children\u2019s Literature: Puzzle Maps U.S.A."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"puzzle-maps-usa.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Introduction and Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Puzzle Maps U.S.A.<\/em><\/a> written and illustrated by Nancy L. Clouse is a playful book about geography.\u00a0 It concentrates on the different states within the United States.\u00a0 This book is a very basic introduction to maps while Clouse uses puzzle activities to utilize the different shapes of the states to appeal to young children.<\/p>\n

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“This turtle is going for a swim.\u00a0 Which states are going to get wet?\u00a0 The turtle’s eye is the smallest state in the United States.\u00a0 Look closely at the turtle and you will find eight states in all.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It begins with a big map of the United States where each name of the states have been omitted.\u00a0 Clouse transforms the United States map into a large puzzle that visually can be taken apart and put back together.\u00a0 The subtle use of basic colors and the efficient designs that are collages made up of the states make this book more visually appealing than many map books.<\/p>\n

Curriculum Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n

Puzzle Maps U.S.A.<\/em> is a super resource to introduce simple maps and help students develop an awareness that a map is a drawing of a place that shows where things are located (SOL K.4a).\u00a0 It also promotes students with identifying the shapes of the United States and Virginia on maps (SOL 1.4c).\u00a0 A students’ scientific reasoning and logic is utilized while reading this book.\u00a0 Observations of the different states are made from multiple positions that allow the students to achieve a variety of perspectives (Science SOL 1.1b).\u00a0 Lastly, math skills, specifically geometry, are used when reading Puzzle Maps U.S.A. <\/em>because the author manipulates the States into images of familiar objects throughout the book.<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n