World Puzzle Map

World Puzzle Map
Social Studies - Geography
Level	Primary
Age	3 +
Prerequisites	Continents Globe
Materials	1 World Puzzle Map Continents Globe 2 World Puzzle Map World Control Map

This material teaches the child about the continents.

Presentations

Introduction to the Concept of Maps

1. Take the Continents Globe and the World Puzzle Map to a large mat.
   (Show the child the correct way to carry a puzzle map, with one hand on each side.)
2. Turn the globe so that the Western Hemisphere is visible. Relate this to the first circle on the puzzle map.
3. Turn the globe so that the Eastern Hemisphere is visible. Relate this to the second circle on the puzzle map.
4. Tilt the globe so that Antarctica is visible.
   "Half of Antarctica is on one side and half is on the other. That's why it's cut into two pieces."
5. Take the pieces out of the puzzle one at a time.
6. Hold each one up to the corresponding continent on the globe.
7. Review the names of the continents.
8. Set the pieces on the mat.
9. After all the pieces have been taken out, put them back in again one at a time.

The Puzzle Map with a Control Map

1. Take the puzzle map and the control map to a mat (two mats may be needed depending on the size).
   Put the puzzle map on the left and the control mat on the right.
2. Remove the pieces one at a time from the puzzle and place them on the corresponding spot on the control mat.
3. After all of the pieces have been removed, carefully replace them back in the puzzle.

Variations and Extensions

• A string or a large rubber band could be put around the globe to show the two halves of the puzzle map.

  

• A three period lesson could be done with the continents to review their names.
• Continent puzzle pieces could be put in a Mystery Bag for the child to try to identify by touch.

  

• Sing "The Continents Song" (to the tune of "Frere Jacques")
  North America, South America, Africa Africa, Europe and Asia, then there is Australia, Antarctica Antarctica

Map Making

• Trace the control map and color in with colored pencils, paint, oil pastels, or colored chalk.
• Trace around each continent on the appropriately colored construction paper. Pin-punch or cut out the continents. Then glue onto blue circles that have been painted on paper or cut out of blue paper and glued down.
• Maps may be labeled with pre-printed labels, labels written out by then child, or names of continents could be written directly on the map.

Material

Make Your Own

• Free laser cutting pattern on Thingiverse

Where to Buy

Prices and links last checked: 24 May 2020

Puzzle Map
Absorbent Montessori $33.00
Adena $35.93
Affordable Montessori $49.00
Alison's $50.40
Bruins $115.00
E & O $60.00
Hello Wood $135.00
IFIT $37.00
Kid Advance $36.99
Leader Joy $55.95
Leader Joy $45.95
Materials Company of Boston $80.00
Montessori Outlet $35.95
Nienhuis $127.50 (includes tracing circle)
Nienhuis $127.70 (Asia view, includes tracing circle)
Thinkamajigs $48.95

Labeled Control Map
Adena $2.93
Affordable Montessori $5.00 (continents labeled)
Affordable Montessori $5.00 (continents & oceans labeled)
Alison's $5.00
Bruins $9.00 (continents & oceans labeled)
Bruins $9.00 (continents labeled)
E & O $7.00 (continents & oceans labeled)
Hello Wood $8.00
IFIT $4.00
Kid Advance $5.99 (continents & oceans labeled)
Leader Joy $5.95 (continents & oceans labeled)
Montessori Outlet $2.95(continents & oceans labeled)
Nienhuis $9.50
Thinkamajigs $4.95

Unlabeled Control Map
Adena $2.93
Affordable Montessori $5.00
Alison's $7.00 (full color)
Bruins $9.00
Bruins $9.00 (oceans labeled)
E & O $7.00 (oceans labeled)
Hello Wood $5.00
IFIT $4.00
Kid Advance $5.99 (oceans labeled)
Kid Advance $2.99
Leader Joy $5.95 (oceans labeled)
Montessori Outlet $2.95
Nienhuis $9.50
Thinkamajigs $4.95

Tracing Circle
Affordable Montessori $9.00 (clear acrylic)
Affordable Montessori $9.00 (wooden)
Alison's $21.00 (wooden)
Hello Wood $16.00 (blue acrylic)
IFIT $6.00 (wooden)
Kid Advance $4.99 (clear acrylic)
Materials Company of Boston $12.00 (wooden)
Montessori Outlet $1.95 (clear plastic)
Nienhuis $13.50(clear acrylic)

Replacement Knobs
Affordable Montessori $0.40 for one
Materials Company of Boston $7.50 for 25
Nienhuis $22.50 for 25

Oceans Puzzle Map
Affordable Montessori $49.00
E & O $60.00
Hello Wood $140.00
Leader Joy $45.95

Set of 8 Puzzle Maps with Cabinet
Kid Advance $359.99

Further Reading

• Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives by David Gettman, pages 190-193
• The blog Carrots are Orange has a helpful post on Variations and Extensions with puzzle maps.