The two M's- Measuring and Maps!

The children are enjoying measuring using standard and non-standard units of measurement.
We are learning about which tools are best to use when we need to measure something.
They will be coming home this week with a tool box of measurement tools that we have been using in class.  These tools are great for practice at home. 
Here are the math standards that we are practicing.

Identify a ruler as an instrument to measure length. Identify different types of scales as instruments to measure weight. Identify different types of clocks (analog and digital) as instruments to measure time. Identify the components of a calendar, including days, months, and seasons. Identify different types of thermometers as instruments used to measure temperature.

I hope your child is enjoying creating a map of his or her room.  This extension activity is great for the children to apply what they have learned about in class. 
The children were very interested in map scale and "a birds eye view." We read non-fiction books where they were able to see how they can take for example, their rug in their room and make that a square on their map.  They also learned that placing the object on about the same location that it is in their room is important so people know how their room is laid out.  They are also doing so well using positional words, direction words, and left and right when discussing the location of places.
Tomorrow the children will share their maps with their peers. I am so excited to see the topographers in action!
During this unit of study the children are/were working on the key essential questions-
What is the difference between a map and a globe?
What are cardinal directions? How do they help us when using a map or globe?
How does the location of something help us know where to go?
When would it be best to use a globe and when would it be best to use a map?
What are the two main components of a globe? Land and water.
While I reviewed the continents, oceans, states, etc... These are NOT  kindergarten standards.  However, I have placed a globe and "world words" in our writing station as additional learning extension tools for the children to explore. 
The most important piece of this unit of study is that the children understand their place in the world as an important citizen in their school and in their community.
Please ask your child to share with you what country they live in (we connected this to the pledge), what state they live in (they loved knowing that Richmond was our state capital), what city they live in, and their address.