A whole new world

For two weeks, geography at Rashkis Elementary School will be taught in the gym.

It’s the only room big enough to hold the school’s enormous map.

Thanks to National Geographic, the Chapel Hill school will use a 41-foot-by-31-foot map to study Asian geography.

National Geographic is shipping the map to a different school every two weeks. Rashkis received it last week, and will have it until next Friday.

The school’s librarian, Marj Moe, said the map is an interactive way for students to learn geography.

“The kids need to know that information comes in all forms,” she said. “What better way is there to teach geography than use a gigantic map?”

Last spring, after searching National Geographic’s Web site for maps to use for the school’s social studies curriculum, Moe said she found the oversized topographic maps available for schools.

“The ability to read a map is critical for our social studies curriculum,” she said.

After applying last spring for Rashkis to use the map, Moe was notified by National Geographic in May that the school could use the map of Asia at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year.

Moe said Asia was her first choice because the student population is 30 percent Asian.

The map came with equipment to play educational games.

It is sprawled on the gym floor, taking half the basketball court’s space. Second grade students split into teams Thursday and competed to name all the countries.

Second grader Ben Huang said it was fun to see where China was on a map.

“It was fun to stand on China and see where all of China’s mountains, grasslands and desserts are,” said Huang.

“It’s kind of fun learning about islands, peninsulas and other countries.”

The map provides a sense of welcome as children who are new to the country adapt to their surroundings, Moe said.

“What better way to welcome them than with a map from where they came from so they can feel welcome and recognized?”


Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.