Mapping

For a while, my artwork has been about maps, so I always get excited when students decide to draw or make a map.  A few months ago, one class decided to make a colorful map that would show people how to get around their classroom.  They realized that maps are made up of lines and shapes, something they knew a lot about.  When the map was finished, they rolled it up, just like how a real treasure map might.
 

Bright and colorful map using paint and sticky vinyl.

I was reminded of this project the other day, when I came across a blog post by Bakers and Astronauts about mapping sounds in her classroom.  I would have loved to see what else the above class might have been able to map.  It seems as though "mapping" in a general sense could be used to explore many different interests in preschool classrooms.  Below is the list of suggestions with links (via Bakers and Astronauts):

• Use an mp3 Recorder to explore your home or community.  Upload your sounds to the MoMA sound map, or create your own version of a sound map, translating the sounds into visual images.
• Go for a community walk, and pay attention to what is most salient to the children on that walk: are they noticing sounds? Smells?  Textures?  Start with the visual, and create a different map each time you go for a walk.
• Encourage parents to download a recording app like AudioBoo for their iPhone or Android and let their child choose sounds to record in their world, and create a way to share those with the classroom and school community.
• Create a mapping prompt in the classroom, allowing children to use maps in their art: drawing on maps, or making landmarks out of clay, for example.
• Add large maps to the areas where children do their dramatic play, either hanging them on wall or having folded maps available.
• Provide masking tape that children can use to create roadways on the floor.
• Explore your community on Google Earth.

Also, here is a link to the This American Life podcast about maps that Bakers and Astronauts mentioned as her inspiration.

What might your students be able to map in your classroom?