(ARA) – Remember the frustration you felt when you had to squint to see the tiny world map on the wall at school? That problem will soon be a thing of the past for both teachers and students at schools around the country. There is a new trend towards doing things big.

“We sell a lot of world map wall murals to schools at this time of year,” says Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics, a Hopkins, Minn., company that specializes in decorative products for the home. “Our map mural measures 13 feet by 8 feet. That’s big enough for kids in the back of the classroom to make out the countries.”

Yolanda Johnston, a history teacher from Cal Exico, Calif., a small town near the Mexican border, knew she had to have one when she saw the giant mural in a magazine. “I feel it’s important to have the best tools possible to help kids learn, and the world map I had was so small, it didn’t make much of an impression on the kids,” says Johnston.

“We’re moving into a new building this fall and the map is going to be the focal point of my classroom. I know the kids are excited about having a big map everyone can see.”

World Maps aren’t only being used for educational purposes in schools. The Fairhaven Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas recently put one up in the back of the church auditorium.

“Our church supports 20 missionaries world wide and the map helps us keep track of where they are,” says Sharon Johnson. “It also shows us how small America is compared to the rest of the world, and helps us to see the size of the job we have.”

Environmental Graphics’ map murals sell for around $150 and can be ordered by calling 800-HAMMACHER or visiting the company’s website at www.executiveworldmap.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content