Early Math  /  Spatial Thinking  /  Digital  /  Activity

Intro to Map Adventures: Landmarks

 

Spatial Thinking
Digital

Introduce the Landmarks games in the Map Adventures app by focusing on spatial language.

A man models playing a game that shows two characters in a pig pen in the Gracie & Friends “Map Adventures” preschool spatial thinking app.

Demonstrate how to play the app and follow the spatial language directions.

 

Materials


An iPad screen of the “Map Adventures” spatial thinking preschool app showing the cartoon character Gracie next to a cow.
  • Map Adventures digital game on the iPad

Preparation

  1. Make sure the iPads are charged and Map Adventures is installed.
  2. Play the app yourself so that you feel comfortable demonstrating it to children.
  3. Note: You’ll introduce the app and how to play during Circle Time. Children will then play Map Adventures: Landmarks in pairs during Learning Center time.
 

Directions


  1. Tell children they are going to play a game with a friend that’s called Map Adventures.
  2. Show the class the iPad and demonstrate how to play.
    • Taking pictures. Tell children their faces will appear in the games! Invite one volunteer to help you demonstrate. Show how to hold the iPad so that both of your faces can be seen. Then press the green camera button to snap the picture. Thank your volunteer, who can now sit back down.
    • Choosing a Landmarks game. On the next screen, tap any of the eight circles in the middle (under the heading Landmarks). Demonstrate how to play one of the Landmarks games as you hold the iPad facing the class.
  3. Finish by telling the class that everyone will get a chance to play Map Adventures: Landmarks during Learning Center time.

Length of Play

10 min.

Group Size

Whole Class

In the Schedule

Circle Time


 
Vocabulary
  • landmark
  • right
  • left
  • around
  • onto
  • up
  • down
  • underneath
  • above
  • below
 
Learning Goals
  • Follow directions using spatial language to find or to position an object, person, or place in relation to something else