Symbols on maps
Source:
Adapted from The Taynish National Nature Reserve, Local Schools Pack (SNH) & The Grampian National Nature Reserves, Activity Guide (SNH)
OBJECTIVES
- To introduce the importance and use of symbols on maps
Time
1 hour or more
You will need
- clipboards and pencils
- Maps of the area you are going to visit, without the legend.
- key of map symbols
- Compass
Did you know?
The Ordnance Survey maps arose out of a military need. In 1791 Europe was in turmoil and there were fears that the French Revolution would sweep across the English Channel. The government ordered its defence ministry - The Board of Ordnance - to begin a one inch scale mapping of England's vulnerable southern coast.
Before the activity
Look at Ordnance survey maps of your local area and look at the legend. Search for a particular feature or symbols on the map. An interactive whiteboard would be useful for this activity. Hand out the maps of the area you will be visiting, without the legend. With the class, list the types of features that you are likely to find on your class visit. Get the children to make a legend for their blank map using the features listed and using the ordnance survey symbols.
The activity
On your visit, get the children to keep adding symbols to their maps and filling in extra details that are not shown, such as small burns or lochans, new buildings or plantings. Add shading or symbols to show different habitat types, such as farmland, forestry, moorland, estuary, wetland etc. Use the compass to add North to the maps.
Back in the classroom, the children could:
- colour code the maps to show different habitat types
- overlay their maps with tracing paper and mark on the areas or zones used by tourists, locals, agriculture, fisheries, particular types of wildlife
Suggested Follow up
- Discuss how some places on the maps are used by lots of different people as well as by wildlife. For example an area could be important for tourism and local recreation and also used by farmers and wildlife. Discuss potential conflict situations that might arise between different users/interests. Find out about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (see downloads), which details rights and responsibilities in the outdoors for recreational users and land managers.
- Try the activity Bird Maps in the Biodiversity Section
- Play the Compass Game from this section
Downloads
Additional Information
Detailed 18th Century Roy maps of the whole Scottish mainland (1747-1755) available as an on-line resource
Curriculum Links
- science - main
- social studies - main
Age Range
2,3,4