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Lesson 7 of 7
  • Year 5

Using digital maps to identify different landscapes of North and South America

I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to investigate different landscapes in North and South America.

Lesson 7 of 7
New
New
  • Year 5

Using digital maps to identify different landscapes of North and South America

I can use a geographic information system (GIS) to investigate different landscapes in North and South America.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Geographic information systems (GIS) contain digital maps that allow us to visualise and analyse geographical patterns.
  2. Geographic information systems can be used to investigate different landscapes in North and South America.

Keywords

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

  • Biome - a large area with similar plants, animals and climate

  • Landscape - the features of an area, made up of natural things like hills and rivers, and human things like buildings and roads

Common misconception

A layer is a background map on a GIS.

A basemap is the background map in a GIS. It shows things like countries, rivers, and roads. A layer is extra information you can add on top of the basemap, for example, where volcanoes are or how many people live in each area.


To help you plan your year 5 geography lesson on: Using digital maps to identify different landscapes of North and South America, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to show the videos in stages with the pupils completing a chunk of the the practice tasks after each section of the video.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers, laptops or tablets with an internet connection.

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.
What does GIS stand for?

geographic instruction systems
Correct answer: geographic information system
geographic identity system

Q2.
Which tool on the Geography Visualiser allows us to find out the distance between points?

search bar
Correct answer: 'Measure' tool
'Open map' tool

Q3.
North and America are both continents

Correct Answer: South, Latin

Q4.
Which of these landscape features are natural, and which are made by humans?

Correct Answer:river,natural

natural

Correct Answer:road,human

human

Correct Answer:bridge,human

human

Correct Answer:mountain,natural

natural

Correct Answer:house,human

human

Correct Answer:waterfall,natural

natural

Q5.
The USA is found in the continent of America.

Correct Answer: North

Q6.
Which of these countries are found in South America?

Correct answer: Brazil
Canada
Correct answer: Argentina
Correct answer: Chile
USA

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
What is a biome?

Correct answer: a large area with similar plants, animals and climate
a large building found in many cities
a special type of plant found in forests

Q2.
Which of these statements correctly describes a 'layer' on a GIS?

Correct answer: a layer is extra information you can add on top of the basemap
a layer is the colour scheme used on the basemap
a layer is a background map on a GIS, also called a basemap

Q3.
A key shows what different colours and symbols mean. Which button locates this on the Geography Visualiser?

Correct answer: Legend
Padlock
List
Search bar

Q4.
Unlike 2D views, visualisations make it easier to see the shape of the land.

Correct Answer: 3D, three D

Q5.
What tool allows you to add your own information and labels to a Geography Visualiser map?

1 - S
2 - K
3 - E
4 - T
5 - C
6 - H