map skills and compass directions

Learning objective: Investigate how we can represent information as symbols on maps.  Learn how to use the 8 points of a compass to describe direction.

Success Critieria: KNOW why we use symbols on maps, UNDERSTAND how to describe directions using the 8 points of a compass and BE ABLE TO recognise some map symbols; follow and give directions using the 8 points of the compass

MAP SKILlS

Click on Gogg to complete a interactive task about map skills
  • ​Map: A map is a simple drawing or picture of what an area of land looks like when seen from above.
  • Grid References: A gird reference is useful for identifying a place on a map.
  • Symbols and Keys: Landscape maps use symbols to give information about what the land looks like and what is on the land. A key explains what the symbols on the map are. The symbols can be pictures, words or shortened words.
  • Scale: Maps can’t show things the size they are in real life so they use scale to make things smaller. Different scales are useful for showing different amounts of detail on a map.
  • Compass: To follow directions on a map you need to know where North, South, East and West are.
  • On most maps north points towards the top of the map.
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