Basic 7 · Social Studies · Mapping Skills
Mapping Skills
In this topic you will identify the elements of a map, use direction, scale and keys to read maps, and draw a sketch map of your school compound.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify the elements of a map
- Use the compass, scale and key to locate places
- Draw a sketch map of the school compound
What you already know
- The environment and locating places (Upper Primary)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Mapping Skills
- Indicator
- B7.1.2.1.1 – Demonstrate skills involved in mapping and locating places in the environment
Introduction
A map is a drawing of a place as seen from above. With a good map, a stranger can find the post office, the river or the road to the next town.
1. What Is a Map?
Map: A drawing that represents all or part of the Earth's surface on a flat surface, usually reduced in size.
2. Elements of a Map
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| title | tells what the map shows |
| key (legend) | explains the symbols and colours used |
| scale | shows the relationship between distance on the map and on the ground |
| north direction | an arrow showing where north is |
| border or frame | encloses the map |
| grid lines or latitude and longitude | help to locate places exactly |
3. Direction
The four main (cardinal) points of the compass are north, south, east and west. Between them are the intermediate points: north-east, south-east, south-west and north-west. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, which can help you find direction. A magnetic compass always points to the north.
4. Scale
A scale can be written as a statement ("1 cm represents 1 km"), a ratio or representative fraction (1:100,000) or a line scale (a measured line divided into units). If 1 cm on a map represents 5 km, then a distance of 4 cm on the map is 20 km on the ground.
Use a scale
On a map with the scale 1 cm to 10 km, Kumasi and Techiman are 12.5 cm apart. Find the real distance.
- 12.5 × 10 = 125.
Answer: About 125 km
5. Symbols and Colours
Maps use symbols to show features: a cross for a church, a crescent for a mosque, a blue line for a river and a red line for a main road. Colours also have meanings: blue for water, green for forests and lowlands, brown for highlands. The key explains every symbol so that the map can be read easily.
New words
- map
- A drawing of an area as seen from above.
- key
- A list explaining map symbols.
- scale
- The relation between map distance and real distance.
- cardinal points
- North, south, east and west.
Summary
- A map shows an area from above, reduced in size, on a flat surface.
- Its elements are the title, key, scale, north direction, frame and grid.
- Direction, scale and symbols help us read maps and find places.
Class activity: Map Reading
- Study a map of Ghana and identify all its elements.
- Use the scale to find the distance between two towns.
- Use the compass points to describe the direction of one region from another.
You need: Map of Ghana, School-compound sketch map, Compass
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The part of a map that explains symbols is the…
- A. key
- B. title
- C. scale
- D. frame
Show answer
Answer: keyLegend.2. The sun rises in the…
- A. east
- B. west
- C. north
- D. south
Show answer
Answer: eastDirection.3. A magnetic compass points to the north.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueMagnetic north.4. North, south, east and west are the ______ points.
Show answer
Answer: cardinalMain directions.5. Name four elements of a map.
Show answer
Answer: Title, key, scale, north arrow (or frame, grid).Any four.6. On a map with scale 1 cm to 5 km, two towns are 7 cm apart. Find the real distance.
Show answer
Answer: 35 km7 × 5.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Mapping Skills
- Indicator
- B7.1.2.1.1 – Demonstrate skills involved in mapping and locating places in the environment
Introduction
A sketch map is a simple map drawn by hand to show the main features of a small area, such as your school or route to school. It is a useful skill for giving directions and planning.
1. Steps in Drawing a Sketch Map
- Walk round the area and note the main features: buildings, paths, field, trees and gate.
- Decide where north is, using a compass or the position of the rising sun.
- Draw a frame and a north arrow on your paper.
- Draw the boundary of the area.
- Add the main features in their correct positions, using simple symbols.
- Write a title and make a key for your symbols.
- Add an estimated scale, for example by pacing distances.
2. Measuring by Pacing
To estimate distances, count your steps. If one pace is about 0.75 m, then 40 paces is about 30 m. On your sketch map, you could use 1 cm to represent 10 m. This gives a rough but useful scale.
3. Locating Places with Grid References
Many maps have grid lines numbered along the edges. To give a location, read the number along the bottom first (eastings), then the number up the side (northings). A simple memory aid is "along the corridor, then up the stairs". For example, a school in square 34 52 is found by moving along to 34 and up to 52.
4. Latitude and Longitude
On world maps and globes, places are located using latitude (lines running east to west, measured north or south of the Equator) and longitude (lines running north to south, measured east or west of the Prime Meridian). The Prime Meridian (0° longitude) passes through Tema in Ghana, making Ghana one of the places closest to the point where 0° latitude meets 0° longitude.
5. Uses of Maps and Mapping Skills
Maps help travellers find their way, planners decide where to build roads and schools, farmers mark their farm boundaries, the military plan operations and emergency services reach people quickly. Today, digital maps on mobile phones use GPS satellites to show your exact location.
New words
- sketch map
- A simple hand-drawn map of a small area.
- pacing
- Measuring distance by counting steps.
- grid reference
- Numbers that give a location on a map grid.
- Prime Meridian
- The line of 0° longitude.
Summary
- A sketch map shows the main features of a small area with a title, key, north arrow and scale.
- Distances can be estimated by pacing, and places located with grid references or latitude and longitude.
- The Prime Meridian passes through Tema, and maps have many uses in daily life.
Class activity: School Sketch Map
- Walk round the school compound and note the main features.
- Measure distances by pacing.
- Draw a sketch map with a title, key, scale and north arrow.
You need: Map of Ghana, School-compound sketch map, Compass
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A simple hand-drawn map of a small area is a…
- A. sketch map
- B. globe
- C. atlas
- D. satellite image
Show answer
Answer: sketch mapHand-drawn.2. The Prime Meridian passes through which Ghanaian town?
- A. Tema
- B. Kumasi
- C. Tamale
- D. Ho
Show answer
Answer: Tema0° longitude.3. Grid references give the eastings before the northings.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueAlong, then up.4. Measuring distance by counting steps is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: pacingEstimation.5. List four steps in drawing a sketch map.
Show answer
Answer: Observe features, find north, draw a frame and boundary, add features, title and key.Any four.6. If one pace is 0.75 m, how far is 60 paces?
Show answer
Answer: 45 m60 × 0.75.
Homework
- Draw a sketch map of your route from home to school with a key and north arrow.