Reading Maps: Symbols and Grids
Read and draw maps using symbols, a key, the eight compass points and four- and six-figure grid references; use atlases, globes and digital maps to locate countries and features, and use scale to judge real distances
What a learner can do afterwards
- Use a key to decode map symbols (e.g., finding the campsite, church or railway on an Ordnance Survey-style map)
- Give directions with the eight compass points and find a location from a four-figure grid reference
- Locate a country or feature in an atlas or digital map and estimate a real distance using the map's scale
The lesson
Maps are covered in small pictures called symbols. Each symbol stands for something real, like a campsite, a church, or a railway line. A key at the edge of the map tells you exactly what every symbol means, so you never have to guess.
Maps also show direction using compass points. The four main points are north (N), east (E), south (S), and west (W). Between them sit northeast (NE), southeast (SE), southwest (SW), and northwest (NW), eight points in all, running clockwise around the compass.
Milo checks the key on his park map and sees a tent symbol for the campsite. He finds the tent in grid square 0305, four along and five up. From the gate, the campsite sits northeast. The map's scale shows 2 cm stands for 1 km, and the tent is 4 cm from the gate on the map, so the real walk is about 2 km.
A key tells you what the symbols mean, grid references and compass points tell you where and which way, and the scale tells you how far.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.