Week 5 @St. Johns

BEd journey

St. John's week 5 (30.09.24- 04.10.24)

October 04, 2024

St. Mary's Week 5 Reflection (September 30, 2024 - October 4, 2024)  

September 30, 2024: Introduction to Reading Maps  

This week marked the beginning of a new chapter, 'Reading Maps', where I introduced the students to the basic concepts and significance of maps. On September 30, we started by discussing different types of maps. I explained the various kinds of maps such as physical maps, political maps, topographic maps, and thematic maps, highlighting the purpose and use of each. I used visual aids to help the students distinguish between these types and discussed real-life examples to make the concept more relatable. The class was quite interactive, and students actively participated in identifying the maps around them. They seemed eager to understand how maps are an essential tool for navigation and geographical understanding. I also assigned a small activity where students had to identify different types of maps in newspapers and magazines.

October 1, 2024: Classification of Maps Based on Function

On October 1, we delved deeper into the classification of maps based on their function. I explained that maps can be categorized based on the purpose they serve, such as topographic maps, political maps, climatic maps, economic maps, and census maps. I encouraged the students to think of examples of maps that serve each function. For instance, we discussed how climatic maps display information about the weather patterns, while economic maps show the distribution of resources. I used real-world examples to show the importance of each type of map in our daily lives. This helped the students understand the practical application of different maps, and I noticed that many were excited to explore the various map types further.

October 3, 2024: Classification of Maps Based on Scale

On October 3, we focused on the classification of maps based on scale. I explained the concept of scales in maps, which represent the ratio between distances on the map and the actual distances on the ground. We discussed the three types of scales: large-scale maps and small-scale maps. I used examples such as road maps (large-scale) and world maps (small-scale) to illustrate the differences between them. The students grasped the importance of scale in determining the level of detail a map provides. To enhance the lesson, I gave them a practical exercise where they had to identify the scale of various maps. The students showed great interest in learning how to read and interpret the scales correctly.

October 4, 2024: Statement of Scale for Map Reading

On October 4, we concluded the week with a lesson on the statement of scale for map reading. I explained that a map's scale can be represented in various ways: statement scale, linear scale, and representative fraction. I specifically focused on statement scale, explaining how it expresses the scale as a verbal statement, such as "1 cm = 1 km". I provided examples and worked through problems with the students to ensure they understood how to interpret and convert measurements using the statement of scale. The class was interactive, and the students seemed more confident in their ability to read and understand map scales.

Reflection:  

This week, I successfully introduced my students to the fundamentals of map reading, starting with the different types of maps and progressing to scales and classifications. The students were highly engaged and curious, and I felt that they were eager to learn about the real-world applications of maps. They were particularly interested in how maps can be used to represent a wide range of geographical, political, and economic data.