Using atlases
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read a variety of different styles of atlas maps.
Key learning points
- Atlases present the world at the smallest scale, showing the least detail but larger patterns and relationships.
- Atlases use latitude and longitude lines to locate particular places.
- There are many types of atlas map that are used to show specific information.
Keywords
Latitude - an imaginary line running east to west around the Earth's surface that is used to show how far north or south a place is
Longitude - an imaginary line running north to south across the Earth's surface that is used to show how far east or west a place is
Thematic map - a map that shows a particular geographical phenomenon such as population density or air temperature
Common misconception
Atlases specialise in large scale maps.
A large scale map means the map shows a large amount of detail but covers a small area. Therefore, atlases tend to use small scale maps that show a large area of land in limited detail.
Teacher tip
For an immersive experiences, give pairs of students a set of questions, the answers of which can only be found in an atlas, such as the GDP of a particular country or the nearest port to a specific city. Students can then set ever harder questions for their peers.
Equipment
A standard school atlas
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Cartography is the study and practice of …
Q2.The scale of a map refers to …
Q3.The following statements refer to the index of a book, such as an atlas. Which are true statements?
Q4.As the Earth is a sphere, it is difficult to draw an accurate, flat map of the world. The graphical transformation of the 3D world onto a 2D map is known as a map ...
Q5.Which of the following would you expect to find in an atlas?
Q6.A town’s situation refers to its …
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.A small scale map …
Q2.The latitudinal and longitudinal position of a place is written down in a specific way. Which of the following is not true?
Q3.The Tropic of Cancer lies 23.4˚ of the Equator.
Q4.What type of map displays data on a particular topic such as population density or average rainfall?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Using atlases, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Using atlases, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Geographical and statistics skills unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.