Mapping Our World

---

Lesson 4 of 5: Exploring People and Places

Duration:

45 Minutes

Year Level:

Year 1

Australian Curriculum Alignment:

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Geography
Year 1 Content Descriptions (Version 8.4):

• ACHASSK033: Represent familiar places, such as their home and school, on pictorial maps and models.
• ACHASSI020: Present narratives, information and findings in a range of communication forms.

---

WALT (We Are Learning To):

• WALT read and understand simple maps.
• WALT use symbols to represent features on a map.
• WALT create our own map of a familiar place.

---

Success Criteria:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: ✅ Identify and explain simple map features (symbols, legend, directions).
✅ Create a pictorial map of a familiar space using basic symbols.
✅ Share their map with peers and explain what each symbol represents.

---

Required Resources:

• Large printed classroom map (with simple icons for school, park, shops, etc.)
• Printed map of the school grounds (one per pair)
• A3 and A4 drawing paper
• Marker pens, crayons and coloured pencils
• Pre-printed map feature symbol cards (tree, house, school, road, playground, etc.)
• Map symbols and legend reference sheet (dyslexia-friendly font: OpenDyslexic)
• Small compasses (if available, one per table group)
• Blu-Tack or magnets for display
• "Our Mapping Song" – short, original repetitive tune with lyrics about maps
• Laminated “Map Detective” badges (to ignite engagement)

---

Differentiation Strategies:

For Diverse Learners:

• Pre-cut map symbols for students who struggle with fine motor skills
• Use of dyslexia-friendly font and larger print
• Verbal instructions supported by visuals and gesture
• Peer pairing carefully considered to offer peer modelling

For Advanced Learners (Extension):

• Add a compass rose to their map and label directions
• Estimate distances between icons using informal units (e.g., "My house is 6 footsteps from the school.")
• Add a legend (key) and border to their map independently

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Tuning In – 10 minutes

Engagement Hook: "Map Detective Time!"

• Teacher wears a fun detective hat and distributes “Map Detective” badges.
• Play “Our Mapping Song” (2-3 minutes) to set the theme.
• Teacher displays a large classroom map and prompts students: "Who can be a detective and find the playground?"
• Question and discuss:
  • What do the pictures mean?
  • What are these icons called? (Introduce: symbols)
  • What is a 'legend'?
  • What does a map help us with?

Visual/Audio Support:

• Use visuals for vocabulary: symbol, map, legend, direction
• Pointer stick or laser to guide attention

---

2. Exploring & Modelling – 10 minutes

Hands-on Map Observation:

• Hand out printed maps of the school grounds (one per pair).
• Prompt task: “Find the library… Can you find where we play at lunch?”
• Teacher models using symbols: “Let’s draw a little swing icon where the playground is!”
• Discuss as a group what other places they recognise and how to mark them.

Map Detective TIP Board:
Gives prompts like:

• Look for shapes
• Use your finger to trace paths
• Match symbols to real places you know

---

3. Creating – 15 minutes

Students draw their own map of a familiar place

• Prompt: “Make a map of your bedroom, your backyard, or your walk to school.”
• Students sketch the place and use pre-printed or drawn symbols to mark key features.
• Teacher circulates to assist with symbol use and spatial layout.
• Encourage using at least 3-5 map symbols and adding a simple legend box.

Example instructions on board:

• Step 1: Choose a place you know
• Step 2: Draw the main things you see
• Step 3: Use your symbols to show special places
• Step 4: Add a legend

---

4. Sharing & Reflecting – 8 minutes

Gallery Walk or Pair Share

• Students display their maps on desks or mats around classroom.
• In pairs, students explain their maps to each other using prompts:
  • “This symbol is my…”
  • “I put this here because…”

Class discussion (3 minutes):

• “What symbols did you use?”
• “Where is your favourite feature on your map?”
• “Was anything tricky today when making your map?”

---

Assessment for Learning (Anecdotal Notes):

Observe students for:
📝 Correct use of map symbols
📝 Ability to represent spatial relationships
📝 Oral explanations of their maps

Use a simple teacher checklist during the activity.

---

Review & Reflect – 2 minutes

Class closes with a chant:
🎵 “Maps help us know / where we go / with symbols and keys / and places to show!” 🎵

Ask:

• “Where else could we use maps?”
• “Can we use a map to explore a new place?”

---

Extension Ideas (If Time Allows or For Homework):

🌟 Home Mapping Challenge: Take home a blank map template and draw your home or garden with a family member.
🌟 Create a storybook map: Draw a map to illustrate a favourite storybook (e.g. “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”).
🌟 Digital Extension: Use tablets (if available) to design maps using simple drawing apps.

---

Teacher Reflection Prompt (Post-Lesson):

• Which students demonstrated a strong spatial awareness?
• Who needed support with the concept of symbols or directions?
• Was the symbol-to-real-life connection made clearly by most students?

---

This lesson builds early spatial understanding by integrating creativity, literacy, and collaboration. By linking geography to children's lived experiences, it fosters a strong foundation in representing and interpreting place — all while empowering even the youngest learners to become curious mapmakers. 🌏🗺️