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Spatial Sleuths

Maggie

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Spatial Sleuths Lesson Plan

Students will develop spatial awareness by interpreting maps, visualizing geometric shapes, and navigating grid coordinates through collaborative, hands-on activities.

Spatial awareness underpins geometry understanding and real-world navigation. Strengthening these skills boosts math performance, critical thinking, and everyday problem-solving.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on map and geometry challenges with guided practice.

Materials

  • Spatial Map Challenge Worksheet, - Grid Navigation Game Board, - Interactive Map Challenge, - Shape Visualization Cards, - Blank Paper, - Pencils, - Rulers, and - Projector

Prep

Material Preparation

5 minutes

  • Print copies of Spatial Map Challenge Worksheet.
  • Assemble Grid Navigation Game Board pieces.
  • Review the mechanics of the Interactive Map Challenge.
  • Organize Shape Visualization Cards, blank paper, pencils, and rulers.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Activate prior knowledge: Ask students where they use maps or directions in daily life.
  • Display Interactive Map Challenge via projector and point out key features.
  • Introduce key vocabulary: cardinal directions, grid coordinates, vertices, edges.

Step 2

Map Interpretation Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute Spatial Map Challenge Worksheet in pairs.
  • Students identify symbols, routes, and locations and answer directional questions.
  • Circulate to guide students in using legends and scale.

Step 3

Shape Visualization

8 minutes

  • Hand out Shape Visualization Cards.
  • Students visualize and draw 2D shapes from verbal descriptions, labeling vertices and edges.
  • Share drawings with a neighbor and provide feedback.

Step 4

Grid Navigation Challenge

5 minutes

  • Provide each pair with the Grid Navigation Game Board.
  • Call out coordinate instructions (e.g., “move to B3”), and students navigate tokens accordingly.
  • Challenge pairs to create their own coordinate path for classmates to solve.

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Assessment

2 minutes

  • Students complete an exit ticket: one map feature they identified, one shape property they visualized, and one coordinate move practiced.
  • Collect exit tickets to assess understanding and inform future instruction.
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