Background to Unit
The content and the activities within this unit support the 1999 SESE Primary Geography Curriculum and its emphasis on promoting map literacy.
The unit sets out to develop children's understanding of maps and to develop their competence in using maps through practical activities.
The 1999 curriculum states that children should be introduced to mapping skills which enable them to interpret geographical information contained within maps and also to design maps to represent places. As well as reading and interpreting topographical small-scale maps of countries and continents, the curriculum places an emphasis on the examination of large-scale maps of particular localities and developing map related skills such as map drawing and map design.
Fundamentally, the maps and mapping unit aims to support teachers in developing such skills in their pupils. It can be used independently by children or sections of it may be used by the teacher with the whole class.
Maps in the Primary Curriculum
Using this unit will support the curriculum requirement that pupils develop skills in map work.
"The recording, communication and interpretation of spatial information through the use of maps, plans, diagrams, photographs, models, globes and other means is a further and very distinctive skill to be developed in the geography curriculum." (Geography Curriculum, p.10)
Key areas to be understood:
Maps carry a range of symbols and signs. Many symbols have set meanings.
This unit introduces children to some common map symbols.
It will also help children to understand the concept of location, i.e. that each sign on a map is placed in a specific area indicating its location
The material for children within this unit examines a variety of maps and deals with how some landscape features and human features are represented on them.
The activities with the unit will help children to read and interact with a variety of maps by plotting routes, finding places and developing their understanding of concepts such as how height is shown on maps and what above sea level means. Children also learn about using grid references and compass points to indicate places.