Ok,
I'm trying to figure out exactly how to start the project - I have the base map without state borders on card stock - but am unclear as to what to instruct my dc to do first. Do they just fill in the 13 colonies? Is this laid out somewhere for us newbies? (I've checked the student pages and elsewhere, but I'm just not sure) Any help would be greatly appreciated )
thanks
Norma

Norma,

We are also doing Y3 this year.

For the US Map, we started just like you with a base map and then we laid a blank transparency over the base map. We will create several layers using transparencies on this same base map.

The first layer is for the 13 original colonies. We selected a blue sharpie to represent the 13 colonies. Using the blue marker, we wrote the name of the state and the date it joined the US. We also outlined this group of states with a thick blue border to show that they were the Original Colonies.

The second layer is another blank transparency, but this time we select red to represent states that joined the US under George Washington's presidency. Using the red marker, we label the state with the name and date and put a red border around those states.

My son is planning to continue adding states and grouping them by who was president when they joined the US. He will use a different color marker for each new president. Since we are in the Redesign, we have to be flexible and adapt as the program is revealed. He may change his plan as he learns more, but that's our idea for now. I think most of this is suggested in the student activity pages, but he may have tweaked something along the way. I allow him to do it the way that makes sense to him as long as he covers all of the labels each week.

I hope this helps you see that it really is that easy. Some people print the transparency outline maps too, but we find it's easier to just use an inexpensive write on type and lay it over the base map.

We do make a key to show what our colors represent and we label our transparency layers with the week # (in the bottom right corner)to keep them organized.

Have fun! These maps are so nice and really easy to do

Eia

Thanks Eia
Do you use the map with or without the state borders as your base map? Should I let them take a transparency and trace over a map with borders, but actually place it over the map without borders so they can see the progression?? Am I even making sense?? lol I know it's not that difficult, and I'm confident I will get the hang of it; but I think I just need to take a deep breath and not worry if it all doesn't quite come together in this first week!!
thanks and God Bless
Norma

Norma,

We used the base map with borders. I think it's the easiest way to do it. I know the directions on the Map Aids suggest a different way, but this just works better for us. There are many ways to get these maps done. It will make more sense once you get started and actually make a map. It's all kind of abstract until you just do it

Blessings,
Eia

Eia,
I think you are the one that gave the helpful tips to me re. the transparency project last week... We're moving along nicely with our maps, this week we did Europe (Napoleon Wars, major cities...).

Question: With the U.S. map, how many transparency layers to you expect to end up with? We did states add under Washington on the first one, and it's pretty full, with city labels, major landforms, and 16 states. I didn't think of making another layer. I guess I'm not an out of the box thinker/learner/do-er...

We're having fun, though, and I think we're all, including my dh, learning more this year since I purchased the MapAids. DH printed up some maps last night to make his own set!

Hi,

I'm not sure how many layers we'll have, but it can get busy. We did not include all of the details you mentioned on the US map, because we already covered it on our maps in Y2.

Our US map has 3 layers so far.

*Layer 1 is 13 colonies colored coded with state name and date only.
*Layer 2 includes the states added under Washington all with the same color code and dates.
*Layer 3 has Ohio with the name and date plus the Lou Purchase under Jefferson. He did also add the other territories on this week as well.

As we add the other states, he may decide to remove the transparency with the territories, if it makes things too crowded on the map. It's a neat layer and it helps to see what is happening, but once we gets farther along in the progressive map project, he will most likely shift it out of the way to make it easier to see all of the states added. If he does this, he will just add Ohio to another layer so it doesn't get removed from the US

His vision for the project was to have a US map that shows the states and the date they became part of the US. He is using color to show the stages of growth. In order to maintain this focus, he will adjust the assignment to stay on track with his original goal. I was hesitant to add this much detail, because there are so many different ways to complete this assignment with great results. I hope this helps you see how it can be done and gives you the freedom to adapt things to meet your needs.

To answer your question about adding layers, here's my thoughts

In the past, sometimes we begin a second set of maps with a new base map if things get too busy to see what's happening. I think this project works best with one base and several layers, but I know what you mean about it getting full of info. The good part is that you are done adding in the NE section of the country, so your new layers will focus on the western part of the country. I think you'll be ok if you keep adding layers, but you'll know when it's too much information in one place and can just adjust from there. If you are adding lots of details to the US map, you may want to print another base map and have 2 phases of growth with half of your layers over each one. Does this make sense?

I hope this is helpful to someone. Remember, there are lots of ways to do these maps. The more your child is involved in the decisions and organization of the maps, the more they will benefit from the exercise and be committed to keeping up with it. We have learned so much through TOG Geography over the past few years!

Blessings,
Eia