New
New
Year 6

Mapping the coast

I can use maps and other sources to recognise, locate and describe a range of coastal features in the UK.

New
New
Year 6

Mapping the coast

I can use maps and other sources to recognise, locate and describe a range of coastal features in the UK.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Maps can help us identify different human and physical features of coasts.
  2. The UK has a lot of coastlines as it includes one large island, part of another, and thousands of smaller islands.
  3. The UK coastline has a great diversity of features. This means that the land can be used in many different ways.
  4. Almost all of the UK coastlines can be walked.

Keywords

  • Human features - A human feature is something that humans have made or built.

  • Physical features - A physical feature is natural and has not been formed or made by humans.

  • Land use - Land use is the function or purpose of a particular area.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that cliffs and headlands are the same thing or that all cliffs are headlands.

A headland is surrounded on three sides by water. Headlands can consist of cliffs, but cliffs can be found on coastlines that are not headlands. So it is true to say that not all cliffs are headlands, therefore cliffs and headlands are not the same.

As an extension or alternative task, children could identify one place they have seen on John's journey along the coast and think about what they might say about the image of it if they were to put it on a social media post.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You may use some OS maps of a stretch of the UK coast but the lesson can be taught without these.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
are places where groups of people live and work.
Correct answer: Settlements
Mountains
Oceans
Q2.
What does maritime mean?
Maritime refers to anything related to the desert and arid regions.
Maritime refers to anything related to the mountains and hills.
Correct answer: Maritime refers to anything to do with human activity at sea.
Q3.
A is an inlet of the sea where the land curves inwards.
Correct answer: bay
headland
cliff
Q4.
Which of these human features would you expect to see at the mouth of a deep-water bay?
a pier
restaurants and cafes
Correct answer: a port for cruise ships
Q5.
Maritime rely on the seas and oceans for:
Correct answer: trade
Correct answer: food
settlements
Correct answer: safety
Correct answer: transport
Q6.
Which sea lies to the east of the UK?
The Irish Sea
The English Channel
Correct answer: The North Sea

6 Questions

Q1.
A feature is something that humans have made or built.
Correct Answer: human
Q2.
The UK is made up of two main islands and of smaller islands.
tens
hundreds
Correct answer: thousands
Q3.
Match the physical coastal feature to their definition.
Correct Answer:spit,a long narrow stretch of pebbles and sand attached to the mainland

a long narrow stretch of pebbles and sand attached to the mainland

Correct Answer:estuary,the wide tidal mouth of a river

the wide tidal mouth of a river

Correct Answer:mudflat,a flat area of very wet mud near the sea which is covered by high tide

a flat area of very wet mud near the sea which is covered by high tide

Q4.
Match the human coastal feature to their definition.
Correct Answer:harbour,a sheltered part of the coast where ships and boats can anchor safely

a sheltered part of the coast where ships and boats can anchor safely

Correct Answer:pier,a platform on stilts jutting out into the sea

a platform on stilts jutting out into the sea

Correct Answer:lighthouse,a tall round tower with automated flashing lights at the top

a tall round tower with automated flashing lights at the top

Q5.
Which human coastal feature is the following a definition of? "A sheltered part of the coast where ships and boats can anchor safely."
Correct answer: harbour
port
lighthose
Q6.
Smooth or almost straight coastline will usually be where are found.
coves
bays
headlands
Correct answer: beaches