World Atlas Activities
The atlas is always changing. With continents floating on plates and earthquakes, the world is constantly in motion. It's important for kids to know where things are in the world. Current events and natural disasters are regularly on TV. By teaching the atlas, children will be able to understand where these events are occurring. The atlas can also show a lot about where the kids live, such as vegetation and climate.
Other People Are Reading
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Seeing the Difference
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The atlas has changed over the years. Take an older and newer version of the atlas and put them next to one another. Have the kids come up and study each of them. Point out one of the differences between the two atlases. For example, a country change. Then, have the kids point out differences to the atlases. Other examples of differences could be changes to rivers and continents.
Puzzle Maps
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Puzzles are great ways for kids to learn geography and topography. Split the kids up into groups to put a puzzle atlas together. Make a game after they are finished with the puzzle. Give them a game piece to move around their map. Then, send them around the world. Use country names and city names to send them to. You can use capital cities to teach them what the capitals are as well. To mix things up a little bit, use mountain ranges and rivers.
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What in The World Affects the Way People Live
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Using the atlas, have the kids point out geographical features of different countries. Have population statistics for countries available for them on a printout so they have them in front of them. Discuss with the kids which geographical and population features affect the way people live. Also have the kids make inferences about how the geographical features directly affect the population.
The Correlation with Vegetation and Climate
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Show on the atlas where different climate zones are around the world. Have students look up which kinds of vegetation can be grown in certain climate zones. Discuss which fruits and vegetables grow in their area and surrounding states or even counties. Then have them research how structures in climate zones would enable them to grow other plants than what that climate is capable of growing, such as a heated greenhouse, for example.
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References
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