What it is: National Geographic Maps: Tools for Adventure is the best everything-map site I have seen. The site was created by the Children’s museum of Indianapolis. Maps are presented as the keys to adventure. Students learn to use maps to find their way, share information, look at patterns, and solve problems. There are six excellent interactive games for students to practice putting their math skills to use. Students can explore a pyramid by guiding a robot to hieroglyphs, find sunken treasure, explore Mars, go on an adventure, see GIS in action, and visit Adventure Island. I love the realistic feel of these games, as students explore and guide robots, they get a “live” video feed of where they are navigating. On the National Geographic Maps: Tools for Adventures site, you will find information about the Indianapolis exhibit, how to use maps, related map links, and lesson plans. This is one of those websites that my description just won’t do justice to, be sure to check it out!
How to integrate National Geographic Maps: Tools for Adventure into the classroom: This website is packed full of fantastic resources, games, and activities involving maps. This is THE website to use when you are teaching students map reading skills. As students navigate through the games, they will learn how to read a legend, practice following written directions, learn about different types of maps, practice giving directions, and problem solving. The games provide an authentic way for students to learn how to use maps. Lessons in the “For Educators” section are wonderful and incorporate the online games. National Geographic Maps: Tools for Adventure is ideal as a center on classroom computers or as an individual activity for the lab setting. It could also be used as a whole class activity with an interactive whiteboard or projector, allow each student to take part in the navigation process at the board.
Tips: Be sure to check out the Related Links for more map adventures, games, and activities, you will find fun extras to build map skills.
Please leave a comment and share how you are using National Geographic Maps: Tools for Adventure in your classroom.
This site is so cool! I love that students can have some fun interacting with maps. Maps are generally not a very fun thing to learn in class, but these help change that practice. Thanks for sharing.
As a former Social Studies teacher, I am in love with this site! I can’t believe how many of my high school kids didn’t have a solid grasp of basic geography (who knew Africa was a continent and not a country?) I was always looking for fun games to help them refine their map reading skills. I especially like the “Go on a Family Adventure” section where they have to decipher basic clues to get to the next location.
Excellent site, Kelly! Thanks for sharing 🙂
The family adventure game is a lot of fun! It can be hard to find really engaging geography activities, this is one of my favorites.