This film introduces pupils to maps and how to use them - including map keys, symbols, compass points and co-ordinates.
When we go somewhere new, it’s not easy to find our way around.
CARA – Let’s find the beach!
RIO – It's this way!
ARJUN – No, it's this way!
That’s why we use maps.
A map is a picture of a place, usually drawn from above.
We have big giant maps … and small maps with lots of detail.
Maps can be printed on paper and folded, they can be three dimensional like this globe or even on a phone.
The closer you look at a map, the more detail you see. Those green areas are national parks.
If you get even closer, you’ll be able to see the roads.
To help us find the important places - like the train station - we use symbols.
There are all sorts of symbols used on maps, like an envelope for a post office, a shopping trolley for a market and even a paw print for a zoo!
A good map will show you everything a place has to offer.
CARA - And then the beach should be…
RIO – This is not the beach.
ARJUN – I don’t understand.
CARA – We had it upside down!
To help make sure you don’t get the map upside down most maps have one of these…
It shows you which way is north, south, east and west on the map.
Maps also use co-ordinates to help you find what you’re looking for.
Co-ordinates work by drawing lines over the map and dividing it into sections which are numbered or lettered.
This line is called the X axis and this is where you find the first number or letter from a co-ordinate.
This line is the Y axis and this is where you find the second number or letter from a co-ordinate.
Think of it as crossing the hallway and then climbing the stairs. You need to cross the hallway first before you climb up the stairs.
CARA – Where do we go now.
ARJUN - I would quite like to go to the waterfall.
RIO – The waterfall is here, which is B7.
CARA – Alright then, lets go that way!
Video summary
This film introduces pupils to maps, mapping and navigation. It examines how we use maps, including compass points, keys, symbols and co-ordinates.
It has been developed in a child-centred way to allow pupils to visualise themselves using maps in their everyday lives.
Download/print a transcript of the video.
NB: The video refers to the lines on a map as the 'x axis' and 'y axis'. The more technical term for these lines are 'northings' and 'eastings'. The northings are the horizontal lines - they increase in value as you travel north. The eastings are the vertical lines - they increase in value as you travel east.
Teacher Notes
This short film introduces pupils to maps, mapping and navigation. It includes keys, symbols, compass points and co-ordinates.
It can be used to set the scene before pupils use a map to explore their school grounds or local area.
The film outlines some common errors when using maps which pupils will then know to avoid when they start to use maps themselves.
Points for discussion:
- What are maps for?
- When might we need to use maps?
- How should we hold a map?
- Can you draw a map of your local area?
- Where have you seen people using maps?
Suggested activities:
After watching this short film, pupils could use a map of their school grounds to find their way from one point to another.
Pupils could do matching and card sorting activities to develop help them recognise the keys symbols on a map.
Pupils could develop their own maps of their local area or special places to help them show what a place means to them.
Can pupils work to develop their own symbols to show what things mean and where things are in a simpler way?
Suitable for teaching geography at KS1 and KS2 in England, Progression Step 2 and 3 in Wales, Early and 1st and 2nd level in Scotland and Foundation and KS1 in Northern Ireland.
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