Scrambled States and a FREEBIE!

Since we've already taken our state test, we've been reviewing certain skills.  One of those skills is map skills.  

We started with a grid map of Washington, DC.  We went over:

- letter/number grids

- compass/directions

- map key

- map scale

Then we moved on to the United States.  

We read The Scrambled States book!  

L-O-V-E!

There's a DVD as well!

I knew some of the kids were still having trouble naming and finding some of the states, so we started this activity:

Our county provides globe/map kits for each grade level.  

It comes with this book:

It's full of great vocabulary, vivid pictures, and really helps the kids better understand map skills.  Then I gave each student a blank US map and asked them to label and color it.  (Click the picture below to download a FREE blank US map from Super Teacher Worksheets!!!)

After labeling and coloring the map (we haven't finished yet), I will give my students two options:

(a) I can laminate the map, or

(b) they can cut the states apart and use it as a puzzle. 

The kids are really enjoying this!  It's really helping their awareness each state's location and size relative to the other ones.  Hopefully you can use this activity with your kids and have a blast as well!  :)