Map and globe skills through purposeful navigation
Maps and globes become useful when pupils need them to answer a question or find a route. This guide moves from familiar classroom plans towards larger geographical representations. It includes practical checks for keys, scale and orientation, and ways to adapt activities without losing the spatial thinking involved.
Begin with a familiar space
Ask pupils to arrange a few objects on a table and draw their positions from above. Compare the drawing with a photograph taken at an angle. Discuss why a plan uses a different viewpoint and why symbols can be more practical than detailed pictures of every object.
Make a key that works
Create a classroom map with a small set of agreed symbols. Give it to another pair and ask them to identify a location without extra spoken explanation. If the map is confusing, revise the symbol or key. This makes communication, rather than decoration, the test of a successful map.
Practise orientation and route finding
Mark a starting point and a destination, then describe a route using landmarks and appropriate directional language. Turn the map and ask what must be done to keep it aligned with the space. Introduce compass directions through a clear reference rather than treating the top of every page as automatically meaningful.
Compare representations
Use a globe alongside a world map to show that both represent Earth differently. Select maps suited to the question and scale: a world map cannot provide the detail needed for a playground route. Offer tactile symbols, enlarged plans and routes that are physically accessible. More experienced pupils can estimate distance using a supplied scale or explain why two maps emphasise different features. Assess by asking learners to use an unfamiliar but clearly labelled map, showing that they understand the conventions rather than remember one classroom layout.
Action checklist
- Start with a familiar overhead plan
- Test the key with another group
- Align the map before route finding
- Choose a scale suited to the question
Common questions
Should every map show the same details?
No. A map selects information for a purpose, so useful detail and scale depend on the question the user needs to answer.
Sources and scope
Source titles are provided for reference. Check the current original guidance and your school's circumstances before making a policy or compliance decision.
- Schools Direct editorial — Original teaching activity and resource planning notes. Checked 1 November 2026.