Small-Group Time Planning Form Puzzle Maps Originating Idea One of the children at the center stated that

his uncle went back to Washington D.C. when other children got started talking about where people from their families live. Some of the children have family members that live in different countries. Materials Puzzle of the United States Puzzle of the world Curriculum Content Social Studies- participating in group routines Social Studies- being sensitive to the feelings, interests, and needs of others Approaches to Learning- solving problems encountered in play

Beginning Introduce the new puzzles to the children. Say I have some new puzzles for us to play with. What do you think the puzzles are of? After the children make their guesses say They are puzzles of the United States and of the world. I thought today for small group we could take the puzzles apart and then put them back together. Middle Move from child to child and observe them putting the puzzles together. Some children will be able to fit the pieces together without problem while others may not. Listen to what the children are saying; are they able to identify their home state.

End

Once the puzzle is together point out Michigan; say This is where we live. Point out other states and ask questions like How would I get to New York? How far away is Washington D.C.?

Follow-up Ideas Put the puzzles in the toy area for the children to take apart and put back together. So that way they are available to use during work time. Have the children make shoe box models or drawings of their home or of their bedroom.