Mapping Local Places

Overview

A 60-minute geography lesson designed for Year 1 and Year 2 pupils to explore towns and cities near Skelmersdale using engaging, differentiated map activities. This lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England, focusing on developing knowledge of the United Kingdom and surrounding areas, spatial awareness, and geographical vocabulary.

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National Curriculum Links

• Geography Key Stage 1
  • Locational knowledge: "Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas."
  • Place knowledge: "Understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom."
  • Geographical skills and fieldwork: "Use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language to describe the location of features and routes on a map."
  • Use of maps: "Use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries."

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

• Locate and name key towns and cities near Skelmersdale: Blackpool, Wigan, Southport, Liverpool, and Manchester.
• Understand and use simple directional language to describe locations.
• Develop map reading skills through matching and labeling activities.
• Demonstrate ability to label maps accurately, with scaffolded support or independence depending on ability.

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Materials Needed

• Large printed map of West Lancashire area including marked locations for Blackpool, Wigan, Southport, Liverpool, Manchester, and Skelmersdale (laminated preferred).
• Set of matching cards (pictures of landmarks/buildings for each town/city + name cards).
• Blank map outlines (two versions: one blank with faint town outlines for tracing; one completely blank for free drawing).
• Pencils, coloured pencils, and rubbers.
• Whiteboard and markers or interactive whiteboard for presentation.
• Sticky Tack or magnets for map card matching.

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Presentation Outline (10 minutes)

1. Introduction (5mins):

   • Show Skelmersdale on the large map and explain it is their ‘home town’ focus.
   • Introduce the five locations: Blackpool, Wigan, Southport, Liverpool, Manchester using picture and name cards.
   • Use compass points to describe location relationships (e.g., Blackpool is north-west of Skelmersdale). Use simple phrases such as “Blackpool is north of Skelmersdale.”
   • Link to pupils’ prior knowledge by asking if anyone has been to these towns.

2. Demonstrate Map Features (5 mins):

   • Show how to use the map key (if available), point out towns, rivers, and roads.
   • Explain how to match pictures and names to places on the map.
   • Model placing a card on the correct location.

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Activities (40 minutes)

Activity 1: Matching Game (20 minutes)

Objective: Match town/city name and picture cards to their correct locations on the large map.

• Setup: Divide pupils into three mixed-ability groups (10 pupils each).
• Support Group:
  • Use name and picture cards with outlines on the map to place cards alongside labelled spots.
  • Provide directional prompts (“Is Blackpool to the north or the south?”).
• Core Group:
  • Match only name cards to the correct locations on the map independently, with an option to request one hint each.
• Challenge Group:
  • Match name and picture cards but also describe to a partner one simple fact about the place (e.g., “Blackpool has a beach.”) inspired by prior teaching or pictures shown.
• Teacher Role: Circulate, ask probing questions, scaffold where needed, and encourage use of directional language.

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Activity 2: Map Drawing and Labelling (20 minutes)

Objective: Create or complete a basic map of towns near Skelmersdale and label each place accurately.

• Support: Provide blank maps with faint outlines of the towns’ locations; pupils trace and add labels from a word bank.

• Core: Blank maps without outlines but with the town names in a word bank to draw and label fairly independently.

• Challenge: Free-draw a simple map locating the towns with their own symbols or landmarks; write a descriptive sentence about one town.

• Encourage pupils to use pencils first, then colour their maps.

• Display example maps for inspiration but ensure pupils’ own work.

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Assessment Suggestions

• Formative: Observe participation during matching and map drawing; note ability to match correctly and use of directional language in discussions.
• Summative: Collect pupils’ labelled maps to check correct placement and spelling of town names.
• Options for quick verbal check: Each pupil or pair states one town and its location relative to Skelmersdale (e.g., “Liverpool is south of Skelmersdale”).

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Differentiation Summary

Learner Group	Activity Modification	Support Provided	Expected Outcome
Support	Trace maps, picture + name cards, verbal prompts	Scaffolded hints, step-by-step guidance	Match and label with support
Core	Word bank with blank maps, name card matching	Occasional guidance on spelling and directions	Label towns and place cards independently
Challenge	Free-draw maps, extended verbal description task	Encouragement for self-expression and reasoning	Produce detailed map with descriptions

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Additional Teaching Tips

• Use colourful picture cards with familiar landmarks to engage young learners’ interest.
• Include local stories or facts (e.g., “Blackpool is famous for its tower and beach!”) to deepen place knowledge.
• Encourage peer support during activities to foster collaborative learning.
• Finish with a quick quiz or show of hands to consolidate learning about the direction and location of towns.

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This lesson plan supports building a solid foundation in local geography, encourages spatial thinking, and nurtures confidence in map skills for KS1 pupils in line with the National Curriculum’s emphasis on practical geographical enquiry.