Unit Plan 18 (PreK Social Studies): Midyear Inquiry Project—Our World in Maps
Explore familiar places with maps and models as children observe their world, compare environments, and create a collaborative “Our World in Maps” display.
Focus: Bring together children’s learning about places, maps, and people by creating a class “Our World” display with simple maps, drawings, and photos. Children practice asking questions, observing, and sharing what they know about their classroom, school, neighborhood, and beyond.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Social Studies (Inquiry • Geography)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 15–20 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, children become “world explorers” of the places they already know. They revisit maps and models of the classroom, school, and neighborhood, and look at simple pictures of other places (city, countryside, park, maybe another country). Through observation, play, and conversation, they ask questions, notice features, and share what they learn using drawings and words.
By the end of the week, the class helps create an “Our World in Maps” display showing maps, photos, and children’s artwork. The display is meant to teach others (families, other classes) about the places that are important to them and how those places are similar and different.
Essential Questions
- What places are important in our world (classroom, school, neighborhood, and beyond)?
- How can maps and models help us show where things are?
- What do we see and notice about different places (buildings, trees, weather, people)?
- How can we share what we know to help others learn about our world?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Name or point to at least two familiar places (e.g., classroom, playground, home, park, library).
- Use simple position words (near, next to, above, below) when talking about where things are on a map or model.
- Help draw or build a simple map or model of a familiar place (classroom, playground, or neighborhood route).
- Describe at least one feature of a place (trees, buildings, roads, weather) using pictures and words.
- Contribute to a class “Our World in Maps” display, sharing what they know with others.
Standards Alignment — PreK (C3-based custom)
- PK.C3.Inq.1 — Ask and answer simple questions about the world. Uses “who,” “what,” “where,” and “why” questions to learn about people and places.
- Example: “Why do we have stop signs?”
- PK.C3.Inq.2 — Explore information through observation and play. Looks closely at people, objects, and places to find out more.
- Example: Watching how mail is delivered to school.
- PK.C3.Inq.3 — Use pictures and conversations to share learning. Draws or talks about what they notice, think, or learn.
- Example: Sharing a drawing of their neighborhood walk.
- PK.C3.Inq.4 — Participate in class projects that help others. Takes part in simple service or kindness actions.
- Example: Making thank-you cards for school helpers.
- PK.C3.Geo.1 — Identify familiar places and spaces. Recognizes and names places like home, school, and playground.
- Example: “We walk to the library from school.”
- PK.C3.Geo.2 — Use simple maps and models to represent places. Draws or builds models showing key landmarks or routes.
- Example: Drawing a map from the classroom to the cafeteria.
- PK.C3.Geo.3 — Describe where things are using position words. Uses language like near, far, above, below, and next to.
- Example: “The slide is next to the swings.”
- PK.C3.Geo.4 — Observe and describe the environment. Talks about natural features like trees, grass, and weather.
- Example: “It’s windy today, and the leaves are moving.”
- PK.C3.Geo.5 — Compare features of different places. Notices differences between locations (home vs. school, city vs. park).
- Example: “Our playground has sand, but the park has grass.”
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name or point to places that are important to me.
- I can use words like next to and near to tell where things are.
- I can help make a map or model of a place I know.
- I can tell or draw something I see in a place (buildings, trees, roads, weather).
- I can help make an “Our World in Maps” display for others to see.