What are maps?
Key concept - maps depict real places to a scale.
Activity: The pupil is asked to attempt to define what a map is. He will choose a definition of maps and will explore the function and uses of maps. This section explains how and why maps are useful and gives some examples of people who might consult maps.
Children are introduced to the idea of two main map categories: (i) multipurpose maps (multi-function) and (ii) thematic maps.
1. Multipurpose Maps
Multipurpose Maps can be introduced by showing maps which show a variety of things together: land use, roads, villages, contours etc. Large wall maps can be examined to demonstrate this.
Show how maps of counties cover large areas and how these may include natural borders such as mountain ranges or political borders.
2. Thematic Maps
Some examples are shown. The class could be shown further examples of thematic maps and should know that they generally contain only one type of information. Examples could be: forests, population, countries of the EU, climate regions of the world, number of days of frost/sunshine per year, etc.
Depicting Places
The aim of this section is to develop an understanding of aerial perspective and the ways places can be shown in images.
- It should be explained that nowadays photographs and of the land and sea can be taken from aircraft and satellites and that this information can be stored on computers to make digital maps.
- Concept: Cartographers are people who draw maps.
- As well as maps, children are introduced here to aerial photographs and satellite images.
- Examples are given of hybrid map images and children can see examples of these in depictions of Cork city and Waterford.