Here in Aotearoa, New Zealand we are in Term 4. My Year 2 and 3 students have been revisiting directions and positional language for some of our maths learning. We are also strengthening our "maths literacy" which can be a barrier for many students when it comes to problem solving or understanding instructions.
We decided that map making on Keynote would be an excellent way to review some learning and introduce a few new concepts. To cut back on the cognitive load we are going to use a familiar local legend and part of Aotearoa New Zealand's local history, The Legend of Okatia. In this legend Okatia travels through the Manawatū Gorge creating the Manawatū Gorge and River before finally stopping at Foxton Beach.
We will be returning to many creative apple skills and processes to help us in this maths learning.
- We will take a quality photo and use Markup to draw Okatia.
- Students will add some text as part of their story map and collaborate with the class to incorporate some specific directional and positional language to voice record.
Next, students will trace over a map of the area and then remove the background to have a clear and simple image.
They can then add their Markup Okatia Image and label the important locations on their map. Students can add detail to their voice recording and if they wish animate Okatia to illustrate his travels.
After using a familiar legend we will also look at quality picture books, such as Jack and the Flumflum Tree by Julia Donaldson and Duck in a Truck by Jez Alborough to use in a similar process.
I would love to hear how other educators could use and adapt Maths Story Maps in a fictional or non fiction context!
November 14, 2025 .
English
Hi Bex
I really like how you’re using the local legend (“The Legend of Okatia”) as a familiar context for your story map - it grounds the Maths learning in something meaningful and culturally relevant. The scaffolded steps (photo, markup, label, animation) clearly show how you’ve reduced cognitive load and at the same time, building skills and focussing on the positional language. It could be interesting to discuss with the students what alternative routes/journeys were be taken and reasons for their choice.
On this side of the pond, I could use Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester; it is a great text that would have lots of mathematical connections. Thank you for sharing!
This action is unavailable while under moderation.
This action is unavailable while under moderation.