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Kindergarteners demonstrate progress through 3-D map project

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Kindergarten students at MOSAIC Elementary School demonstrated their readiness to advance to first grade through a 3-D mapping project that incorporated skills learned in different subjects throughout the school year.

MOSAIC’s kindergarten teachers always plan the mapping project for the end of the school year because it incorporates skills they first have to learn in other subject areas. In previous school years, the project was done as a 2-D map, but this year’s students enjoyed learning about 3-D shapes in math, so their teachers adapted the project.

MOSAIC kindergartners show off their 3-D map

Image: Kindergarten students present their finished 3-D map with buddies in other grade levels.

The kindergarten math curriculum in the Mehlville School District includes learning to identify and describe both 2-D and 3-D shapes. Students also learn to analyze, compare and create shapes.

To begin the project, students were asked to observe buildings and structures they saw in their community. Then, students viewed materials available to them like boxes and paper and determined what buildings they wanted to include in their community. One of the first skills students learn in kindergarten is how to properly use materials and not be wasteful. This project allowed them to display mastery of those skills.

Students also discussed the importance of proportions for the project. For example, one group of students built a replica of Busch Stadium. They ensured their building was much larger than the replica of MOSAIC Elementary School another group was constructing.

MOSAIC students look at the 3-D map created by kindergarteners

Image: Kindergarten students present their finished 3-D map with buddies in other grade levels.

After the buildings were constructed, students were asked to observe other things they saw in their community. Students brainstormed a list that included people, benches, road signs and cars, so those items were added to the map.

Parts of the English language arts curriculum were also incorporated into the map as students labeled buildings and landmarks, including:

  • Writing uppercase and lowercase letters, and simple words and sentences
  • Beginning to understand the basic conventions of capitalization
  • Understanding words related to familiar topics and experiences
  • Associating sounds with corresponding letters (when writing words they didn’t know how to spell)

The 3-D map project also allowed students to demonstrate soft skills like collaboration. Students worked together to decide what to include in their community, and groups with similar interests collaborated to build their structures. Kindergarteners also demonstrated their speaking skills by explaining the city and project to older students at the end of the project.

“It is rewarding to us as teachers to see students take ownership and see that not only did we teach them skills, but they can apply them to the things they do in the classroom,” said Melissa Comer, MOSAIC Elementary School kindergarten teacher.