 getting its own piece in the shape of the state. Each piece has the state capital and a picture of the state bird and/or other representative symbol. Use of this puzzle is good for students who are vi){kind=link}
MasterPieces Explorer Kids - USA Map - 60 Piece Kids Puzzle
Mindprint Rating
Tags
Skills
Mindprint Expert Review
Pros
- Most of the puzzle pieces are in the shape of the state to help create a better impression of the shape of each state.
- Although the large-size pieces, colors, and graphics are designed for a young audience, older students who are learning the states will still be attracted to this puzzle and find it useful for learning the state shape and location.
Considerations
- Because the pieces are shaped like the states, they do not "lock together" which may cause difficulty for students with weak fine motor skills.
- An 8 or 9-year-old child may reject this puzzle because of the graphics and size of the pieces, so parents may need to be careful in the presentation.
- Many of the representative state symbols will be meaningless to children (e.g. a state flower without the name of the flower), so there is a degree of missed learning opportunity.
Mindprint Expert Review
This is a good map of the United States puzzle with all but the smallest states (e.g. NJ, CT, DE) getting its own piece in the shape of the state. Each piece has the state capital and a picture of the state bird and/or other representative symbol. Use of this puzzle is good for students who are visual and may be struggling to remember the locations and/or shape of each state, but the graphics, colors and large size are really intended for a child at the younger end of the target age range.
Academic Benefits
Improves academic skills
- Provides sufficient and varied types of practice problems to maximize understanding and generalization of the targeted skill/concept
- Manufacturer claims alignment with Common Core/Known Standards
- Presents educational concepts accurately
- Explains answers so students can learn from mistakes
- Better for teaching the skill to new or struggling learners
- Better for practicing or refreshing the skill
- Skills are practiced through authentic, meaningful problems (not just rote practice)
Fun
Engaging for the Mindprint recommended age range
- Appropriate for a broad age range to use and enjoy
- Visually appealing to children in the target age range
- Adults would enjoy playing with a child
- For electronic games, gives positive or encouraging feedback
- Offers ongoing, progressive challenge
- Overall - Enjoyable. Given the option, students would choose this option
Easy to Use
Understandable for children in the Mindprint recommended age range
- Provides teaching guidance for adults to support the child and set appropriate goals
- Student should be able to use independently after first use
- Student graduates to the next level or topic only after meeting a benchmark
- Can effectively understand and monitor student's progress (email report or in product)
- Does not require excessive set-up time after first time use
- Can be fun as a single player game
- Multi-player game which fosters collaboration or cooperation
- Well-made for the cost
- For electronic games, can play without sound
- For electronic games, allows user to save work
- For electronic games, voice/sounds are appealing and pronounces words properly
- Provides options to play in languages other than English/Good for ELL
- Presents information in multiple formats (voice over, pictures and text, etc.)
- Overall - Easy to use
Cognitive Concerns
May not be advisable for students with the following cognitive needs
- Fine Motor Skills
- Assembly is difficult or product may break or fall apart easily
- Visual Discrimination
- Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
Manufacturer Description
This MasterPieces 16.5 inch x 12.75 inch 60 piece USA Map Puzzle is the perfect way to teach kids about geography! Learn all the states when you put together this 60 piece USA Map puzzle. The puzzle includes state-shaped puzzle pieces and a full-color insert with fun facts about each state. It is great for children ages 5-10 years old.