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Teach with and about maps using Geoskolan's lessons.
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Find the map symbols
Here is a simple exercise to learn to recognize some of the most common map symbols in our maps. The exercise provides knowledge of map symbols as well as information on, for example, cardinal directions, size relationships, places, locations, and boundaries. The lesson is designed for primary school years 1-3, but is a fun exercise for all ages.
Here is an example of what the exercise might look like (in Swedish, pdf, new window).
The exercise can easily be adapted to a different geographical area by choosing your own map.
How to do it:
- Open the Map tool and select the desired area.
- Zoom in on the map by using the "Zoom in" tool over the area so that the map symbols are visible.
- Print out the map of the area by clicking on the "Print" tool, which creates a pdf that you can print out.
Study the symbols in the map. Here you will find Lantmäteriet's map symbols and their descriptions (pdf, new window).
Map symbol bingo
Map symbol bingo is a fun and easy way to learn our most common map symbols. Use the call-out board with map symbols. Call out one map symbol at a time, for example, church, wind turbine, beach. When the student recognizes a symbol that is called out, they check it off on their bingo card. The lesson is designed for primary school years 1-3, but is a fun exercise for all ages.
How to do it:
- Print and cut out the bingo cards.
- Hand out one or more bingo cards per student or group.
- Decide if the bingo line should be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or all of them.
Bingo cards for map symbol bingo (in Swedish, pdf, new window).
Tip! Use Geoskolan's map tool to print out a map of any area, such as your own hometown, and see what symbols are available. Here you will find Lantmäteriet's map symbols and their descriptions (pdf, new window).
Map lesson "The Schoolyard"
This lesson gives students knowledge of maps and they get to know their surroundings with the help of a map. The lesson is designed for primary school years 1-3.
Study the map with longitude and latitude
The lesson is designed for students in grades 4-6. Here, the students will create their own map using the online service "Kartutskrift" (Map Printout). Once the students have selected an area and printed their map, they will work on reading and analyzing the map using longitude and latitude. The task concludes with a whole-class experiment with the map.
Map lesson Study the map with longitude and latitude
Retrieve and analyze your map
This lesson is designed for students in grades 4-6. Here, the students will retrieve their own map using the Kartutskrift online service. After printing their map, they will work on reading and analyzing it using the legend. The task concludes with a whole-class discussion on different ways to use the map-applications.
Map lesson Retrieve and analyze your map
When do we use maps and for what purposes?
Lantmäteriet has produced a film: Kartor i det moderna samhället (Maps in the modern society) (new window), which presents how we use maps today, historically, in fantasy, and in the future.
The film is a little over 10 minutes long and is designed for children and young people in primary and secondary schools. The film can serve as an introduction to a discussion about the use, importance, and benefits of maps.