R - The Grumpy Ogre's Website

IT
_ r on c
by Lena Wong
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Ma y is a time
for fresh air and
fun! It's a month to
think about our natural
environment, summer
safety and all sorts of
outdoor activities.
MAP MAKING
Powers of observation are very important
when making maps — even the
simple kind of maps Beavers can create.
Observation is also vital when
learning to move safely in the neighbourhood,
the park or nature areas. By
making maps, Beavers will learn to use
their observation skills to help them
find their way around.
Start making a simple map of the
streets near your meeting location or
in your neighbourhood. Go for a walk
around the area you want to map out.
Take note of any landmarks you want
to include: a funny shaped tree or bush,
a well-known building, an ice cream
stand. Draw the main roads, then the
side roads leading up to them. Make a
square or a cross where your meeting
hall is located. If any Beavers or leaders
live within the area you're covering, indicate
their homes as well.
Fill in the rest of the map by showing
where your landmarks are located.
Use simple drawings to identify landmarks
and buildings, and write street
names in clear printing. If you want to
get really fancy, draw the symbols in
a corner to show what they mean (e.g.
an ice cream cone identifies an ice
Take note of major
landmarks when
maps.
cream stand). Make sure you involve
your Beavers completely, and include
as many of their landmarks as possible.
Why not make this a truly useful
learning experience Let Beavers make
their own maps using their own symbols
to identify landmarks. After making
the maps, ask your Beavers to
study them closely. Put the maps aside
and ask the children what they remember
about their maps. Ask them to describe
how they can find their way to
different locations shown on the maps.
The next time you're in the park
or forest, use these same skills to
make maps of the trails you're using.
Point out to your Beavers how useful
it is to notice landmarks wherever they
go. Explain that they can always find
their way back to their starting point
if they use their observations to produce
a "mind map."
A SPRING BEACH PARTY
Ifs late spring and time for a beach
party. It doesn't matter whether your
beach is on the ocean, a lake or a river.
What does matter is this: don't even
think about water activities unless you
have plenty of parents who will provide
adequate supervision for all Beavers.
Make sure either everyone has rubber
boots, or die water is warm enough
20 THE LEADER, May 1998