Sparking Motivation & Currently February

Happy February everyone!

It's time for another Sparking Student Motivation Saturday with Joanne from Head Over Heels for Teaching. 

Here's a little peek at how I've been motivating students in Social Studies. Lately, we have been working on our Maps and Globes Unit. Let me tell you, maps aren't too exciting.

We have been discussing the parts of a map - title, compass rose, cardinal/intermediate directions, key/legend, and a scale. This week, we have been discussing how to use a globe by following the lines of latitude and longitude, as well as how the earth is divided into hemispheres. One of the first things that I made was my own map of the United States to model the important parts of a map.

To combine our concepts, I wanted to come up with a culminating activity that they would be motivated to do - not just another "make a map" project. I assigned them a challenge to create their own 51st state! They needed to include a scale, compass rose, map key/legend, a title, and extra information about their state. We presented them on Friday, and I have to say, they look fantastic! My students are so creative - take a look at how they came out!

Also, to celebrate the start of a new month, I'm linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy Fourth Grade for her Currently February!

My 2 Truths and a Fib: 

Truth: I've swam and kissed a stingray. 

The two times that my family has been fortunate enough to go to the Cayman Islands, I've been able to swim with the stingrays in Stingray City. While my poor mom was dragged into doing this the first time, I think she actually came willingly this summer when she realized how cute and friendly the stingrays are. It's such an amazing experience - and you get seven years of good luck for kissing them! 

Truth: I plan to do my first marathon this year. 

Last fall, I did my first 5K at Color Me Rad. This year, I'd love to do a full marathon. I'm not going to go too crazy on the training aspect, but I am going to start training in the summer in hopes that I can run in the fall in my city!

Fib: Sorry Colorado fans, but I'm not rooting for ya'll to win this one.

While I don't follow football much (at all), I am rooting for the Seahawks. Eli the Ape (who has correctly predicted the Super Bowl for six years in a row) picked them too, just for the record. While I'm not sure what this means, ESPN thought it was a big deal. 

Okay, now it's YOUR turn! Head on over the Farley's blog to link up what you're currently up to!