NY Social Studies K.6c

Social StudiesKindergartenKey Idea K.6

The Standard

Places, physical features, and man-made structures can be located on a map or globe and described using specific geographic vocabulary.

New York State K–12 Social Studies Framework

Maps and globes are representations of Earth’s surface that are used to locate and better understand places and regions.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students find familiar places, land and water features, and buildings on simple maps or globes. They describe each location using words such as near, far, left, right, behind, next to, and between.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students point to a named place or feature and explain where it is using a complete sentence. They follow simple direction words to move or place an object correctly.
Common Misconceptions: Students may confuse left and right or describe map locations from their own position rather than the map. They may also think up always means north or confuse natural features with built structures.
How to Assess It: Give students a picture map with a pond, school, and bridge. Ask, “What is between the pond and school?” and require a location word in the answer.

Lesson moves

Build a floor map with blocks, toy trees, and blue paper, then have students place objects beside, behind, or between landmarks.
Show a playground map and ask, “Where is the slide compared with the swings?” Students answer with one location word.
Play Direction Simon Says using commands such as step left, move straight, stand behind a chair, or sit next to a partner.
Walk around the school grounds and have students describe where the entrance, playground, trees, and parking area are located.

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