I Like Big Maps, and I Cannot Lie

Maps, wonderful maps! A critical part of any education and an organizational nightmare for the homeschool family... The little maps that fit neatly in a three-ring binder will never cut it! Digital maps on phones or computers are great for driving and not much else. Big, beautiful wall maps are the ONLY way to go for learning! But what a hassle!

In school, I loved those big pull-down maps that hung over the chalk board. They held a world map, a map of each continent, and usually some maps of the ocean explorers. Teacher stuff was my favorite - like the special chalk holder and the giant wooden protractor and compass! I jokingly say that I went into teaching so I could have one of those chalk holders of my own. Sadly, by the time I had my own classroom, all the chalk boards had been replaced by whiteboards. I still have that unused chalk holder. Sigh. But I digress...

My love of big maps has continued into my homeschooling years. I was the proverbial homeschooling mom who thought it ideal to have a school room, complete with the alphabet that ran around the top of the wall, the phonics posters, the daily weather chart, and of course, the big world map on the wall. That lasted about two months... I learned, as most homeschooling families do, that learning cannot be contained! The vast majority of our school now takes place in the living room and the dining room, and our beautiful world map languished on the wall of the empty schoolroom.

Now, I'm no expert in home decor, but I was not interested in plastering maps all over the walls of the common areas in our home. And besides, we don't have much wall space in the first place. I came up with an idea that's not revolutionary by any means, but every time I share it, people comment that they think it's a great idea that they hadn't thought of before. So I'm sharing here in case you are encountering the same problem that I had.

I decided to take over the biggest available flat surface - my dining table. I place my maps on the table and then cover with the plastic sheeting that you purchase by the yard at fabric/upholstery stores. I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby. You can find it in the fabric section where the upholstery fabric hangs on those huge rolls. The maps are visible at any time, but protected. We eat supper over the map of the United States, which has led to many geography games over dessert. And when I want things to look a little more pulled together, I simply throw a tablecloth over the top.

I have a number of different maps of different parts of the world, different sizes, and even one of the solar system tucked under there. I rotate which one is on top based on our studies. Now, you can use all those beautiful maps that came tucked inside the National Geographics! (Which they practically PAY you to take away from thrift stores and library sales...)

Now you see it; now you don't!

And more maps tucked underneath

Hope it's been helpful to someone! Happy exploring!