Group Map Creation

Purpose: To guide your group in drafting a clear, scaled map of your classroom that shows favorite back-to-school activities, symbols, labels, and planned routes.

Materials Needed:

• Large paper sheet
• Pencils and erasers
• Markers or colored pencils
• Ruler (for scale)

Roles (assign one per student):

1. Drawer – Sketches the classroom outline and draws symbols.
2. Labeler – Writes names of areas, activities, legend entries.
3. Colorist – Colors and highlights different map features.
4. Reviewer – Checks for accuracy, neatness, and scale consistency.

Steps:

1. Review Brainstorm Notes
   
   
   • Look over your group’s list of top 5 back-to-school activities and rough placements.
2. Sketch Classroom Outline (Drawer)
   
   
   • Use pencil and ruler to draw walls, doorways, desks, reading corner, supply area.
3. Add Activity Symbols & Locations
   
   
   • Place each activity in its correct spot.
   • Use simple icons (see Design Your Classroom Landscape).
4. Create Scale & Legend (Labeler)
   
   
   • Decide on a scale (e.g., 1 desk width = 1 grid square).
   • Draw a legend box explaining each symbol.
5. Color & Emphasize (Colorist)
   
   
   • Add color to distinguish areas (e.g., blue for reading corner).
   • Highlight main pathways.
6. Review & Refine (Reviewer)
   
   
   • Check that symbols match legend and labels are clear.
   • Ensure scale is consistent and lines are neat.

Guiding Questions:

• Which symbol best shows each activity area?
• Is your map drawn to scale? How do you know?
• Are the labels easy to read and placed neatly?
• Can someone follow your map to find each activity?
• Where are the best routes between activities? What obstacles might exist?

Reflection Box:
After drafting, answer in your group:
• What was the most challenging part of mapping?






• How did your group decide on routes and symbols?






• What would you change if you had more time?

Route Planning Chat

Purpose:
Guide your group in thinking critically about how people will move between favorite back-to-school activity areas on your classroom map. Discuss efficient, safe, and clear routes before you draw them.

Time: 5 minutes

Materials: Your group’s draft map from Group Map Creation with symbols and legend.

1. Identify Your Key Connections

• Look at your list of top 5 activities and their spots on the map.
• Choose two important areas (for example, Reading Corner → Supply Station).

Prompt: Which two areas will you connect first, and why?

2. Compare Possible Paths

• Trace at least two different routes between your chosen areas (e.g., straight line vs. around desk clusters).

Prompt: What are the advantages and disadvantages of each path?
• Which is shorter?
• Which avoids obstacles best?
• Which feels most natural for classmates walking?

3. Evaluate Obstacles and Flow

• Think about desks, chairs, or bins that might slow someone down.

Prompt: What obstacles could people encounter on your routes? How can you reroute to minimize them?

4. Finalize Your Route Style

• Decide how to show your chosen route on the map (solid line, dashed line, arrows).

Prompt: Which line style or symbol will you use to make your route clear? Why?

5. Reflection and Peer Check

• Before drawing, explain your route choice to another group.

Prompt for Peers:

1. Does the route make sense?
2. Can you follow it on the map to the destination?
3. Offer one suggestion to improve clarity or safety.

When your discussion is complete, draw your final route(s) on your map, label them in your legend, and be ready to share your reasoning during the Share & Reflect stage of the lesson.