Half Day students study giant South America map in Lincolnshire

By the end of this week, the third- and fourth-grade students at Half Day School in Lincolnshire can say they walked across South America - a giant map of South America that is.

Since Jan. 4, the students have been exploring National Geographic Society's giant traveling floor map of the continent. Students are given specific assignments to seek out physical features and locations on the 26-foot by 35-foot map.

Students completed other assignments and used their iPads to help find key locations during a scavenger hunt activity. Group photos were also taken at various sites on the map to be incorporated into future projects.

Half Day third grade teacher Sharon Powell said the photo opportunities help get the students get invested in the experience.

"It's a hands-on way to immerse themselves in geography. The scavenger hunt is a fun way to identify the features and locations of South America," Powell said.

The giant map visit was made possible by the District 103 Parent Teacher Organization's Cultural Arts committee. For more information on the map, visit events.nationalgeographic.com/special-events/south-america-map.