Grade 2 · Unit 7: Location and transformation

Reading maps

A map is a picture from above.

A bird’s-eye view

A map shows a place as if you were a bird looking down. Roads look like lines; houses look like boxes. Maps help us find our way.

A village map

Each picture is a symbol. The line shows a route from home to school. Go right 3, up 4, then left 2.

Using a key

A key explains the symbols. Always read the key first. Then find the places on the map.

Describing positions

We can say a place is north or east of another. On most maps, north is at the top. The shop is south of the school.

Squares on a grid

Columns have letters; rows have numbers. The school is in square B3: across to B, up to 3. North is at the top; south at the bottom; east to the right; west to the left.

What I learnt

• I can read a simple map and key.
• I can describe a route.