Recently, I took a bit of a road trip to an area I have never been.  About halfway into the trip, my phone stopped working (in part because my phone is actually older than the students) so my Maps app no longer told me where to go.  I have become so dependent on the phone to get me from place to place I forgot one important skill: how to read a map.  I pulled over, took out the pile of maps from the glove compartment, and figured out my path.  I obviously made it back home just fine, but I was reminded on the importance of those basic life skills we all develop along the way.

This week, we are continuing our quest for mapping dominance by learning how to read and effectively use a road map.  Yes, an average road map (for those times the phone just won’t work).  We are working our way from small to big; first by navigating a neighborhood map to eventually graduating to a tourist map.

When you go away for the slightly extended weekend and drive somewhere; humor me and ask your student to take out a map and help navigate a route tot where you need to go.  It will take a bit longer, but help reinforce and practice those skills at home.