TITLE: Learning a New Environment
AUTHOR: Dianne Elaine Hill, West Junior High School,
Muskogee, OK.
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: Appropriate for grades K-2.
OVERVIEW: Lower elementary students have a difficult time adjusting to
a new environment. If they feel comfortable in their surroundings, then
learning can take place.
PURPOSE: This activity, which should be introduced at the beginning of the
school year, is to orientate students to their surroundings.
OBJECTIVE(s): As a result of this activity, the students will:
1. Locate specific places in the school on a map.
2. Visit specific places in the school setting such as principal's office,
restrooms, lunch room and playground.
3. Learn rules and responsibilities associated with specific settings
including places within the school that are off limits.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS: Butcher paper, markers, individual maps of the
building, crayons, construction paper, scissors, story book.
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. The teacher will make a large wall map of specific places within the
school building with white roll paper. Different colors should be used for
each place.
2. The teacher should prepare doors, water fountains, etc. with
construction paper in the same color as specific places shown on the
classroom map.
3. The student will be given a small outline map. They will locate specific
areas and color them to match large wall map. Off limit places will be
marked with an X.
4. The students will use individual maps to answer teacher made multiple
choice questions orally.
5. The teacher will take the students on a building tour (along with maps
and markers) as they visit each area stop long enough for students to mark
the maps. They will learn the rules of each area.
6. The students will make a special trip to the principal's office, and as a
special treat the principal will read a story to them.
7. The student will color the individual maps of the school setting. They
will cut the map into pieces and use as a puzzle.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: It can be used at the beginning of the year to
orientate students to their surroundings. If students feel welcome and
warm, it enhances the learning process. When they know and respect the
rules of the school setting, makes the environment a better place for
everyone involved.
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org