Find our state: a shape and neighbors map activity for grades 1–2
What it is: a map activity for 1st and 2nd grade where students trace their own state from a U.S. map, describe its shape, mark their town with a star and find the states, countries or water that touch it. Students learn that a map shows real places with real neighbors.
Time: about 25 minutes. Grade: 1st and 2nd grade.
Materials: a U.S. map (wall map, atlas page or printout), thin paper for tracing, pencils, crayons and star stickers.
- Find your state on the U.S. map together. Ask: "What does its shape remind you of?"
- Students place thin paper over the map and trace the state's outline, then color it.
- Find your town or city on the map and add a star in about the same spot on the tracing.
- Look at the edges: which states touch ours? Is there an ocean, a lake, a river, Canada or Mexico on any side? Students write or draw each neighbor around the outline.
- Compare with Hawaii and Alaska: neither touches another state. Ask: "Why not?"
- Partners trade tracings and check each other's neighbors on the big map.
Differentiation: students who need support trace with a thicker marker and name one neighbor. Students who are ready add the state capital with a different symbol and a map key. English learners can use "Our state is next to ___."
Quick check: ask a student to point to the star and name one neighbor of your state.
Save this activity to your library so it is ready when you need it.
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About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 31, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades K–2
- Subject
- Social studies
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.