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Lesson 7 of 7
  • Year 5

Using digital maps to identify forests around the world

I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to identify where different types of forests are located.

Lesson 7 of 7
New
New
  • Year 5

Using digital maps to identify forests around the world

I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to identify where different types of forests are located.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Geographic information systems (GIS) are digital maps that allow us to visualise and analyse geographical patterns
  2. Geographic information systems can be used to investigate the location of forests.

Keywords

  • Geographic information system - a GIS contains digital maps that allow us to investigate geographical patterns

  • Digital map - a map that we can see and use on a computer, tablet or smartphone

  • Biome - a large area with a similar climate, wildlife and vegetation

  • Layer - a piece of information that we can put on top of a basemap in a GIS

Common misconception

Explaining something is the same as describing something.

Describing is saying what we see, while explaining is giving reasons for something.


To help you plan your year 5 geography lesson on: Using digital maps to identify forests around the world, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teachers may wish pupils to complete the GIS tasks alongside the video modelling, by showing the video in short sections and then asking pupils to complete each part of the instructions
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers, tablet with internet access

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
There are different types of forest. Which forest is sometimes known by the initials TRF for short? This forest is found in hot, wet climate zones.

Temperate forests
Boreal forests
Correct answer: Tropical rainforests
Taiga forests

Q2.
GIS stands for a geographic system.

Correct Answer: information

Q3.
The name for a background map in a GIS is a ...

aerial map
Correct answer: basemap
digital map
location map

Q4.
Why might geographers compare a modern map layer with a map layer from 100 years ago?

Correct answer: To see how a settlement has grown in size over time.
To understand what people think about living in an area.
To measure the amount of rainfall in an area
To see what a landscape looked like during the last Ice Age

Q5.
Which of these tools lets you see more detail on a digital map (or less detail)?

Bookmarks
Compass
Default map view
Save
Correct answer: Zoom

Q6.
The zoom tool helps us to explore on a digital map. Zooming out lets us see a wider view of the world, while zooming in shows more ...

Correct Answer: detail

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:layer,a piece of information that we can put on top of a basemap in a GIS

a piece of information that we can put on top of a basemap in a GIS

Correct Answer:biome,a large area with a similar climate, wildlife and vegetation

a large area with a similar climate, wildlife and vegetation

Correct Answer:digital map,a map that can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone

a map that can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone

Correct Answer:basemap,a background map in a GIS

a background map in a GIS

Q2.
What word goes with each of these terms to describe types of biome where trees are the most important vegetation type: rain, temperate, taiga ... ?

Correct Answer: forest

Q3.
To describe is to say what we can see, to explain is to ...

Correct answer: give reasons for something
give your own opinion
give more detail about what you can see

Q4.
Which of these Geography Visualiser map layers would be most helpful for explaining the location of different forest biomes?

GB Historic Maps
Global Cities
Correct answer: Global Rainfall and Temperature
Population by Country
Sea Surface Temperature

Q5.
What does the 'Swipe' tool on a the Geography Visualiser allow you to do?

Correct answer: Compare two map layers
Add labels to your map
Delete information / delete a map layer
Adjust the transparency of your map layer

Q6.
Which of these factors help explain the location of the taiga forest biome?

Correct answer: low rainfall
high rainfall
Correct answer: low temperatures
high temperatures