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Making an Edible Map

​In this Lesson Plan, I chose a fun and creative way for a class to learn basic map forms and symbols. Essentially will make a large map out of peanut butter dough (if allergies permit as simple vanilla may also work) with landforms made of icing, M&Ms, Twizzlers, Skittles, raisins, and other snacks. It would certainly be a different way to teach the criteria that we have decided upon. The reason I feel that this project would be successful is that it is so unique. Not only will the students be able to make their maps differently than the typical "pen to paper" way, they also get to eat the delicious creation after they are done. Also it is a realistic project that is fairly simple to execute and supervise. The children would be graded on three criteria: Geographic accuracy, Detail, and Artistry. Geographic accuracy would be determined by the basics such as proper size ratio, proper shape, and proper labeling. Detail would be determined based upon how many landforms the students included in their work, i.e. rivers, lakes, interstate highways, etc. Artistry would consist on how the students executed the said landforms, i.e. whether they used the proper colors for the rivers, lakes, or forests. At the end of the project the children would take their projects home and share them with their family. Once at home, the parents would be able to "dissect" the map with their children.

Link to the project can be found here.

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comments (by Marcia): The edible map sounds like a lesson that students are sure to remember. Some other options for making the edible map might be using pre-made cookie dough or using a pizza crust and using pizza toppings for different map features. To link the lesson to the 5th grade content standard selected, we might want to expand the lesson to include a writing piece to include a key for the map and an expository section explaining the map or even include more technology to the lesson by taking digital pictures and creating a PowerPoint or interactive image on the classroom website.

Comments (by Brittany): There is no doubt that the students would have a great time with this activity. They get to make messes, create masterpieces, eat candy, and learn all at the same time. My main concern here is the use of candy and other sugary items. Most schools today don't allow so much sugar in a classroom because of problems with obesity and health in our society. I love Marcia's idea for using pizza products or maybe even creating 3D maps out of material other than food. The students wouldn't get to eat it, but they would still get to make a mess and use creativity in a hands-on activity.

Comments (By Monica): I think this could be a fun project to have fifth graders do with first grade buddies after wrapping up a unit on geography. Fifth graders could complete a similar project with clay or some other material, and then assist first graders with their new map savvy. This would reinforce their skills, teach leadership, and provide the younger students with more instruction than a teacher could provide alone.