Map Adventures: Lesson 1

Story: Nikki's Adventure

Nikki was excited to visit the special park her mother had been telling her about. When they arrived, she could hardly believe her eyes.

PARK ENTRANCE. (Illustration 1.)

As she stood on the sidewalk in front of the entrance, she could barely see over the hedge that formed a fence around the park. She could see the top of a red and white tent and the head of a dinosaur. She heard carousel music, the sounds of ducks, and children playing. Nikki could smell popcorn, hot dogs, flowers, and fresh straw.

PARK HEDGE.

The most exciting sight of all was a huge hot-air balloon swaying gently in the breeze just outside the park. It was tied down with stakes hammered into the ground. It was the biggest balloon Nikki had ever seen. She wanted to get closer to look inside the basket that hung below the balloon. Large ropes connected the basket to the balloon.

HOT AIR BALLOON.

The man who sold balloon rides was reading his newspaper. Nikki's mother walked over to talk with him. Nikki walked over to look at the basket. She had never seen a hot-air balloon up close before. The basket had tall sides, with ropes going up from it to the balloon above. She stood on her toes to peek inside. To get a better look, she pulled herself up onto the edge of the basket—but she lost her balance and tumbled in headfirst!

Nikki's mom kept talking with the balloon ride operator. Meanwhile, a breeze began to blow, and the balloon started rising into the air. Nikki sat on the floor of the basket, where she found a leather bag. Inside were tools that balloonists use to find their way. She found a map of the park, a compass, and a telescope. Just then, Nikki felt the balloon begin to wobble. She looked over the side of the basket and was amazed to see the ground so far below.

The ropes that were supposed to hold the balloon in place had come untied. They now dangled below the balloon. Nikki could see down into the park. A boat drifted toward a bridge. A flag waved in the breeze. Children rode horses on the carousel as it spun round and round. Farm animals gathered under trees in the barnyard.

The balloon kept rising. Soon Nikki was directly above the park. She could no longer see the sides of the buildings—only their tops. The red and white roof of the carousel now looked like a fancy pie from above. She was seeing the ground the way a bird would see it.

Nikki noticed a rope dangling by itself from the balloon into the basket. She grabbed it to steady herself. This let air out of the balloon, and it slowly began to sink toward the ground. She saw that the balloon was drifting toward a large fenced pasture inside the park. That's where she finally landed. Nikki had a wonderful adventure, but she was glad to be back on the ground and see her mother again.

EXAMPLE FOR TEACHERS: HOT AIR BALLOON.

ACTIVITY SHEET 1 – CUT AND COLOR.