🌍 Maps Tell Stories
Maps are powerful tools that show us the world. They help us navigate, understand places, and see patterns. Learning to read maps is a skill you'll use throughout your life — from finding your way to understanding global issues.
📍 Types of Maps
🗺️
Physical Maps
Show natural features — mountains, rivers, forests
🏛️
Political Maps
Show borders, countries, cities
🚗
Road Maps
Show roads and transport routes
📊
Thematic Maps
Show data — population, climate, resources
🧭 Compass Directions
N (Raki)
↑
W (Uru) ← • → E (Rāwhiti)
↓
S (Tonga)
North
Raki
South
Tonga
East
Rāwhiti
West
Uru
North-East
Raki-Rāwhiti
South-West
Tonga-Uru
📋 Reading a Map: BOLTS
Every Map Needs...
- Border — the frame around the map
- Orientation — compass rose showing north
- Legend/Key — explains symbols and colours
- Title — tells you what the map shows
- Scale — shows distance (how far things really are)
📏 Understanding Scale
What is Scale?
Scale tells you the relationship between distance on the map and distance in real life.
- 1:50,000 means 1 cm on the map = 50,000 cm (500 m) in reality
- Bar scale — a line showing distance (e.g., 0—1—2 km)
- Large scale = shows small area in detail (like 1:1,000)
- Small scale = shows large area less detail (like 1:1,000,000)
📌 Grid References
Finding Locations
Grid references help you find exact locations on a map:
- Read across first (Eastings) → along the corridor
- Then up (Northings) → up the stairs
- Four-figure reference: squares (e.g., 2345)
- Six-figure reference: precise points (e.g., 234456)
Remember: "Along the corridor and up the stairs!"
✏️ Activities
Activity: School Map
Create a map of your school or classroom:
- Include all BOLTS elements
- Create a legend with at least 5 symbols
- Add a scale (you may need to measure!)
- Mark important locations
My legend symbols:
👩🏫 Teacher Notes
Curriculum Links
- Social Studies: Place and environment
- Mathematics: Scale, measurement
- Geography: Mapping skills