Design Your Island

Overview

This is the final lesson (Lesson 7 of 7) in the "Mapping Our World" unit for Year 2. In this 50-minute lesson, students will consolidate their understanding of basic geographical features by designing and creating an imaginary island. They will use hands-on materials to build physical representations of their island's features (mountains, rivers, houses, etc.) and then translate this into a detailed, labelled map complete with a key. This creative session promotes spatial awareness, map skills, and vocabulary linked to geography.

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National Curriculum Links (England)

• Geography Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2):

  • Geographical skills and fieldwork:
    • Use simple compass directions (North, South, East, West) and locational and directional language (near, far, left, right) to describe the location of features and routes on a map.
    • Devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key.
  • Locational knowledge & Place knowledge:
    • Understand key physical features, including rivers and mountains.
    • Recognise key human features, such as houses and roads.

• Programme of Study Focus:

  • Pupils should develop their knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom, and their locality, focusing on their immediate environment and contrasting locations.
  • Use geographical vocabulary to refer to physical and human features.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Design and create a simple model of an imaginary island using construction materials or paper.
2. Identify and include key physical features (e.g., mountains, rivers) and human features (e.g., houses) on their island.
3. Create a map of their island using appropriate symbols and add a clear key to explain these symbols.
4. Use basic geographical vocabulary and directional language to describe their island.
5. Demonstrate understanding of map-making conventions in a creative project.

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Resources

• Plain A3 paper and card
• Coloured pencils, crayons, and markers
• Construction paper, modelling clay or playdough, glue, scissors
• String or blue felt strips (to represent rivers)
• Small craft sticks or paper shapes (for houses, trees, bridges)
• Rulers
• Compass rose template (for directional reference)
• Sample maps from previous lessons for reference
• Whiteboards and pens for formative questioning

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Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Detail & Differentiation
0-5 mins	Introduction & Recap	Gather students and briefly revisit prior learning from the unit about maps, physical features, and keys. Show examples of simple maps generated in previous lessons. Recap compass directions and directional language.
5-10 mins	Discuss Island Features	Brainstorm as a class what features an island might have (mountains, rivers, houses, forests). Write vocabulary on the board. Encourage use of physical and human feature terms. Explain the importance of a map key for understanding symbols.
10-25 mins	Create Island Model	In pairs or small groups, students design their imaginary island using the materials. They add mountains (rolled paper cones or clay), rivers (blue string/felt), and houses (paper cutouts). Teacher circulates to support, encouraging use of vocabulary and spatial thinking. Differentiation: Support with stencil shapes if needed; challenge advanced learners to include compass directions on their model base.
25-40 mins	Draw Island Map & Add Key	Using their models as reference, students draw a map of their island on A3 paper. They create symbols to represent different features and construct a key in one corner of the map to explain these symbols. Teacher models symbol creation and explains importance of neat labelling and spacing.
40-45 mins	Present & Describe	Volunteers present their island map to the class, using directional language to explain feature locations (e.g., “The mountain is north of the river.”) This enhances speaking and listening skills and reinforces compass use.
45-50 mins	Assessment & Plenary	Conduct a short formative quiz: Show different island features and ask for names (physical vs human), or directional questions like “Where is the house in relation to the river?” Collect maps for teacher review. Recap key vocabulary. Praise effort and creativity.

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Assessment

• Formative:

  • Observation during model building and map drawing to check understanding of features and map symbols.
  • Questioning during presentations to assess use of directional language and vocabulary.
  • Quick plenary quiz to assess comprehension of physical/human features and spatial awareness.

• Summative:

  • Completed island map with clear symbols and key, demonstrating ability to translate a 3D model into a 2D representation.
  • Teacher annotations noting correct use of directional language in presentations.

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Differentiation & Inclusion

• Provide symbol templates and labelled vocabulary cards for pupils needing extra support.
• Encourage more able students to include additional features (e.g., roads, bridges) or to annotate their maps with compass points.
• Use peer support and mixed-ability pairing to encourage collaborative learning.
• Ensure materials and language are accessible for pupils with SEND by using visual prompts and multisensory activities.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• Art & Design: Creativity in modelling and symbol design.
• English: Use of descriptive geographical vocabulary and presentation skills.
• Mathematics: Use of spatial reasoning and directional language.

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Teacher Tips & WOW Factor

• Invite students to imagine the stories or people living on their island, integrating creative writing as a follow-up.
• Use augmented reality apps (if available) to scan drawings and bring island maps to life digitally for an exciting twist.
• Create a ‘gallery walk’ at the end for all islands to be displayed, encouraging peer feedback and a celebration of geography learning.

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End of Unit Note: This lesson consolidates skills and knowledge acquired throughout the "Mapping Our World" unit, providing a memorable and tangible way for Year 2 pupils to experience geography.