All Activities
Geography

Map It Without a Map

Overview

Students practise creating a map purely from what they observe around them.

Learning Objective
Students create an accurate sketch map from direct observation.

Resources needed

  • Paper
  • Pencil

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Choose a simple area — the school entrance, a path, a corner of the grounds.
  2. 2 Students stand and observe for two minutes without drawing.
  3. 3 They then sketch what they saw from above.
  4. 4 Add labels for key features.
  5. 5 Compare maps with a partner.
  6. 6 Discuss what is accurate and what is missing.
  7. 7 Suggest what would make it more useful.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Add a scale (e.g. 1 step = 1 cm).
  • Swap maps and navigate to a location described.
More information

Teach sketch map, bird's eye view, label, scale, accurate.

Start with a much simpler area — just three or four objects.

Does the map show the correct relative positions of features? Does it include a title and labels?

Draw in soil with a stick if no paper is available. Any writing material works.

Students often draw what they think should be there rather than what they actually see. Emphasise: draw only what you can observe right now.

Core geographical skill linking fieldwork to cartography.

Activity details
Primary Medium 25–30 minutes no prep Pairs Outdoor
Topics
Maps Fieldwork Local Area