Maybe I'm just a perfectionist, but the map labeling this week has been really stressful. None of my kids can write small enough to neatly label a map to save their lives (I have a 7yo boy, 9yo girl, and 11yo boy). They all hated the map labeling and I hated listening to them. But I myself *love* maps and labeling... so this was really disappointing for me. Should I just have them find these things on maps that are already labeled and I will label their maps for them?? I am just not sure what to do with this whole thing.

Karen

Karen,

I have read in other places that some moms with this problem buy (from Staples) clear small stick-on mailing labels, type into the provided template the labels of the week's lesson, and print them out for their kids to peel and stick onto finished maps. That's one good idea.

Another idea is to simply reduce the number of labels you require them to write/affix. Remember, they'll be getting this again; easy does it first time around. You're all learning to learn in a new way, and we don't want to kill their love for learning or maps. So, I would say, smaller is better. Drop by drop, that bucket of knowledge WILL fill up over the years, so be released to free them up some!

Hi,
One thing that my boys discovered right away was to number the labels. Then, instead of writing the place on the map, they just wrote the number.

Also, with kids your students' ages, you can divide them up, and have each child only label the ones you assign. As Marcia has stated, it's fine to take it slowly.

Blessings,

Oh, I love both of those ideas! It is so hard for me, a lifelong "nerd"... my kids would all rather be doing anything but school, so anything to make this part easier for them at this point is great.

Karen

My children are attending a co-op geography class (unrelated to TOG). The teacher was very encouraging to the students (and me!) as she said "the goal is not to create a beautiful map", but rather to attend to the details you see in the atlas and transfer them as best you can onto your map. They are even encouraged to make a 'key' and use abbreviations (for instance, NA for North America).
Happy Labeling...
Beth

Sometimes when there is alot to label (because my kids are still kind of young) I give them the teacher map from map aids. It has all the labeling on it. I dont do this all the time because I think they learn where places are better when they have to look at the map and write them out. When I give them the teacher map I try to have them find places that are important and maybe color the map. I like the idea of printing labels. I wonder if you could just print places on a piece of paper for them and have them cut them out and paste them on? Hope this helps.

We use a label maker. We use clear label tape with black letters. I bought a small one for thin labels and the kids enjoy putting the labels on the map. It was about $15 from Staples. .

quote:

We use a label maker. We use clear label tape with black letters. I bought a small one for thin labels and the kids enjoy putting the labels on the map. It was about $15 from Staples.

I *love* this idea!! I will see if I can sell my husband on this one. If not, the number/key solution is great as well.

I keep seeing posts about getting the map labels from the "files." Where are these "files?" Thanks!
Kathy

Kathy,

The "files" are on the Yahoo group sites for each year plan. See "Email Groups" for links to each of the groups. You'll have to "join" a group to have access to the messages and files.

Blessings,
Monica