Super Street Map

Introduction

Make a map of your street by drawing and writing.

Materials:

• Oversized white paper (If you don�t have oversized paper, regular paper is fine. You can also tape pieces of printer paper together to make a larger sheet.)
• Crayons
• Markers
• Pen
• Pencil

Directions:

• You can start by taking a walk outside with your child. Bring a piece of paper and a pencil with you. Take a walk down the sidewalk and count some of the houses or apartment buildings next to your house.
• Write down the house numbers of the houses next to you, including your own house number.
• Go to your street sign(s) and write down the names of the road(s).
• Take your paper, crayons and markers and have your child start to draw your street. Have him draw the road. Is it a straight road or is it a curvy street? Do you live on a cul-de-sac or on a dead end street?
• Now have your child draw your house and color it in.
• Have him draw the number of your house on the door and mailbox.
• Have your child write your last name on the mailbox. If he is too young, you can write it or draw the letters with dotted lines so he can trace the letters. If you know any of your neighbor�s last names, they can be written as well.
• Now your child can draw some of the other houses on your street with the numbers of those houses on the door or mailbox.
• Have your child draw a street sign(s) and write the name(s) of the street(s) on it. Again, if your child is young, you can draw the dotted letters and have your child trace them.
• Finally, have your child draw your family or friends outside your house. Include your pets. After that, he can draw some of your neighbors and their pets in front of their houses.

Take it further:

Label your map:

• Have your child draw other parts of your neighborhood on their map. Help them to think of all the things in your neighborhood. Are there trees in your house? Do you a have car your child can draw? After your child has drawn the objects, have him label each item by writing the name of it next to the picture. Example: Your child has drawn a tree. Have him write the word tree next to the picture of the tree. If your child is young, you can write dotted letters and have them trace the letters.

Talk about it:

• There are all kinds of different houses. There are houses made of bricks and houses made of wood. What is your house made of? Are there stones on the outside of your house or bricks? Do you know what year your house was built? Talk about it with your child.
• Make sure your child knows his address. You can explain to your child that each street has a name and that is how you know where to go.