Early Math  /  Spatial Thinking  /  Weeks 1 & 2: Lesson 2  /  Activity

Intro to Map Adventures: Farm Map

 

Spatial Thinking
Digital

Introduce the Farm Map game in the Map Adventures app, which focuses on navigation and spatial language.

A man models playing farm map game in the Gracie & Friends “Map Adventures” preschool spatial thinking app.

Demonstrate how to follow the pathways to navigate the farm map.

 

Materials

An iPad screen of the “Map Adventures” spatial thinking preschool app showing the cartoon character Gracie next to a cow.
  • Map Adventures digital game on the iPad (one for each pair of children)

Preparation

  1. Make sure the iPads are charged and Map Adventures is installed.
  2. Play the app yourself so that you feel comfortable demonstrating it to children.
  3. Note: You’ll introduce the app and how to play during Circle Time. Children will then play Map Adventures: Farm Map in pairs during Learning Center time.
 

Directions

  1. Tell children they are going to play a new game with a friend in the Map Adventures app. They will visit animals using the Farm Map!
  2. Hold up the iPad and demonstrate how to play.
    • If some children are new to Map Adventures or haven’t had a chance to play with it yet, explain that their faces will appear in the games! Then demonstrate how to hold the iPad to take a photo.
    • Playing the Farm Map game. On the next screen, tap on the farm map. Demonstrate how to play.
  3. Finish by telling them that everyone will get a chance to play Map Adventures: Farm Map during Learning Center time.
Length of Play

10 min.

Group Size

Whole Class

In the Schedule

Circle Time

 
Vocabulary
  • right
  • left
  • around
  • between
  • near
 
Learning Goals
  • Follow directions using spatial language to find or to position an object, person, or place in relation to something else
  • Understand and use the spatial words left and right
  • Use maps and diagrams to plan, describe, or follow paths or routes from one location to another
  • Develop an initial idea that maps, diagrams, and models can be representations of real-world spaces