Reading Map Symbols

Overview

In this second lesson of Mapping Our World Adventure, students build on their developing map-reading skills by learning that symbols stand for real places and features. They will interpret a map key, explain symbols clearly, and create a list of common map symbols for future lessons.

Learning intentions

Students will be able to:

• Explain what a map symbol represents.
• Use a map key or legend to interpret symbols.
• Create a labeled list of map symbols.
• Communicate map information clearly using words and pictures.

Success criteria

• I can explain that a map symbol represents a real place, object, or feature.
• I can use a map key to identify what symbols mean.
• I can create a list of symbols with accurate labels.
• I can explain my thinking to a partner using complete sentences.

Curriculum links

• Measurement and Data: represent information using diagrams and clearly labeled visual features.
• Informative/explanatory writing: introduce a topic, group related information, and use illustrations to aid understanding.
• Mathematical Practice: communicate precisely and label visual representations clearly.
• Social studies map skills: interpret symbols and legends as tools for understanding maps.

Lesson structure (30 minutes)

1. 0–4 min · Hook and retrieval. Display the opening section of the map-symbols introduction deck, showing a simple map with several unexplained icons. Ask, “How could we figure out what these pictures mean?” Students silently identify one symbol they recognize, then share with a partner. Invite two or three responses and briefly revisit the previous lesson’s learning about maps as representations of real places.

2. 4–10 min · Direct teach: symbols and keys. Use the map-symbols introduction deck to define a map symbol as a picture, line, or shape that represents something in the real world, and a map key or legend as the guide that explains symbols. Model reading a key: point to a symbol, name it, and locate its matching label. Emphasize that symbols should be simple, consistent, and easy to understand. Students practice the sentence frame: “The ___ symbol represents ___.”

3. 10–16 min · Guided symbol detective work. Display the example map and key from the map-symbols introduction deck. Give pairs one minute to predict meanings for three symbols before revealing the labels. Students explain how the key helped them and identify why a map without a key could be confusing. Check understanding by showing one symbol at a time and having students hold up one finger for “I know it,” two fingers for “I need the key,” or three fingers for “I am unsure.”

4. 16–24 min · Independent practice: build a symbol list. Distribute the map-symbols practice worksheet. Students complete the matching and interpretation questions, then create a personal list of at least six map symbols with a small drawing and label for each. Encourage students to group symbols into categories such as places, transportation, nature, and boundaries. Circulate and ask, “What does your symbol represent?” and “How does the key make its meaning clear?”

5. 24–28 min · Partner explanation and feedback. Students compare their lists with a partner. Each student explains two symbols using the sentence frame, while the partner checks that each symbol has a clear drawing and label. Partners suggest one improvement, such as making a symbol simpler, adding a missing label, or grouping related symbols together. Invite one pair to share an especially clear example.

6. 28–30 min · Plenary and check for understanding. Return to the map-symbols introduction deck for the final prompt: “Why do maps need symbols and keys?” Students write or say an answer that includes both terms. Collect the worksheet or quickly scan lists for accurate symbols, labels, and explanations.

Resources

• the map-symbols introduction deck
• the map-symbols practice worksheet
• the Map Skills Reference Poster
• Projector or interactive display
• Pencils and colored pencils
• Board or chart paper
• Optional sticky notes for quick responses

Assessment

• During modeling and guided practice, listen for students who can distinguish a symbol from the real feature it represents and use the terms “symbol” and “key” accurately.
• Review partner explanations and worksheet lists for at least six symbols, clear labels, and accurate interpretations.
• Use the final verbal or written response to assess whether students understand the purpose of both symbols and map keys. Note students who need reteaching before the next map activity.

Differentiation

• Support developing readers with the visible the Map Skills Reference Poster, picture-based examples, repeated oral directions, and the sentence frame “The ___ symbol represents ___.” Preteach and display the words symbol, represent, key, and legend.
• Offer dyslexia-friendly options: read worksheet directions aloud, use a clear sans-serif font with generous spacing, allow students to respond orally to a partner or teacher, and avoid requiring copying of long sentences.
• For students needing additional support, provide a partially completed symbol list with category headings and one example already labeled. Pair students strategically and check understanding after each modeled example.
• Advanced learners can design three additional symbols for an imaginary map, create a matching key, and explain how they made the symbols simple and easy for another person to interpret.

Extension

• Students create an imaginary map key for a made-up place such as “Adventure Island,” including at least five original symbols and labels.
• Partners trade keys and test whether they can correctly explain each other’s symbols without extra clues.