Edible Landforms

In social studies last week, we ended our landform unit by making edible landforms. Each student used a graham cracker for a base and materials such as frosting, chocolate chips, Hershey Kisses, green gumdrops, red licorice, and green coconut to complete the task.

Students had to show at least one body of water (river, lake, ocean, etc.) and two different types of land (hills, mountains, plains, plateau, etc.). After that, each student created a map of his/her project. Maps had to include a title, a compass rose, and a map key. The map had to display a strong likeness to the original project. We all had a great time, and everyone's creation was so different!

Social Studies

We are just finishing up our first social studies unit of the year.  Over the past two weeks, we have reviewed
and expanded upon some mapping skills that should have been introduced in second grade.  We reviewed the four cardinal directions, introduced the four intermediate directions, and examined various map features, such as the map title, map key, and compass rose.  We practiced reading map grids using coordinates, and then we completed a group activity where students rotated around reading and gathering information from maps of places such as the Toledo Zoo, Cedar Point, King's Island, and Sea World.  They enjoyed this very much and were able to see that map skills really come in handy!