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Ordnance Survey flash cards

A fantastic resource where you can download flashcards for 1:25000 or 1: 50000 OS symbols. The web page even includes a leaflet of suggested activities for using the cards with students including three fun games - Flashcard Pairs, Quick as a Flash and Flash Bingo. http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education-research/teaching-resources/-- flashcards.html

Map reading guidance pdf http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/ebooks/map-reading.pdf

Maps made easy peasy

The Map Reading Made Easy Peasy (those of you who used to subscribe to the free for 11 year olds scheme will recognise this booklet) booklet http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/docs/leaflets/map-reading-made-easy-peasy.pdf gives an explanation of the key skills required to read maps – from what is a map, to grid references and . There are number of quiz questions for students to work through to help enhance their knowledge. Colour and black and white version are available.

Outline maps of , UK, Great Britain

To develop a contextual knowledge of location is one of the key aims of the new curriculum for key stages 1 and 2. The ability to identify the UK and its countries and cities is a key skill for younger students. From the Ordnance Survey website, you can download a free outline map of the UK at A4. Providing just an outline of the four countries, the resource allows students to annotate the map and add country names, capital and major cities as well as physical features such as rivers and seas. You can download these for your students to use. http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education-research/resources/outline-maps.html

Ordnance Survey Mapzone

Mapzone is the ideal place for students to learn all their key map reading skills. The mapability section covers all the knowledge students will require to become proficient in understanding maps. Beginning with ‘Starting mapping’ (which even explains how to fold a map!) right through to bearings, each section has a simple explanation of the process involved in that skill. Students are walked through each skill and can progress at a pace suitable for them. There is also a downloadable copy of the presentation so teachers can have a version.

Also on the Mapzone site are a number of -related games that will test students’ knowledge and understanding. For example, in the section there are some excellent games on the counties of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Students have to drag and drop the counties in the correct geographic position in the fastest time possible. After a few attempts students will quickly learn the shape, name and exact location of the counties. geography.org.uk/mapwork Alternatively, in the action games section you can fly a sea plane to complete ten missions. In order to complete the game, students must be able to use a compass and understand four figure grid references. This is fantastic way to soft learn this important geographical skill. http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/index.html

Mapzone includes a wide range of fun activities to engage students of all ages with Ordnance Survey maps. The teacher’s resource area includes a collection of information/activity sheets to download http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/competitions.html#Start%20Mapping either as pdfs or word files which you can customise to suit the needs of your students.

Practical ideas and activities

 Outdoor play areas – this is already a living map as the students move between items of equipment e.g. tyres, logs etc.  Role play areas – such as offices, a travel agent, a post office etc. Furniture and floor will be constructed to meet the specific role play and the area can be mapped.  Play Mats e.g. one with a road or railway marked on etc. Students can add toy buildings etc to the map. Later on, sustitute symbols for the buildings. Students add symbols of their own.  Models – garages, doll’s house, lego etc  Sand tray – diggers and other toy can become part of a quarry or a beach and this starts to develop the notion of spatial awareness.  Car tracks, train tracks, marble runs and water play tracks etc  Displays in the classroom – seaside, stories of journeys like Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Picture maps – ‘Katie Morag’ by Marie Hedderwick published by Red Fox.  Papier mache models of islands, local streets etc  Play games like Ludo and Snakes and Ladders to emphasise the notion of direction. Giving directions to solve a maze is another example.

geography.org.uk/mapwork