Year 6 · Geography · Map skills · Lesson 3
Map symbols, keys and scale
Map symbols and keys, map scale, converting map distances to real distances, measuring curved routes, large vs small scale, and contour lines.
13-minute video lesson
Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.
Watch free for a monthWhat your child will learn
- Use a map key
- Explain map scale
- Calculate real distances
- Compare large and small scale maps
The method
- Measure.
- Read scale.
- Multiply.
- Unit.
Key words: symbol, key, scale, distance, Ordnance Survey, contour.
Worked examples
The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.
Question 1
What is a map key?
- Step 1: Explains
Answer: a list explaining what the symbols mean
Question 2
Why do maps use symbols?
- Step 1: Space
Answer: to save space and be quick to read
Question 3
What might a blue wavy line show?
- Step 1: Water
Answer: a river