Year 7 OS Mapskills Revision
You must make sure you revise the following OS map skills using your exercise books and your OS maps to help you.
1. DIRECTION
You must be able to i) give directions and ii) use directions you are given, using an eight point compass.
2. DISTANCE
You must be able to accurately calculate distance using the given scale. (Don't forget to add the units to your answer!) e.g. 1.5km
Remember Scale shows what the distance shown on the map is in real life:
So a scale or 1:50,000 means that 1cm on the map = 50,000cm or 0.5km in real life! (LEARN THIS!)
3. FOUR FIGURE and SIX FIGURE GRID REFERENCES
You must be able to give 4 fig-GR and 6 fig-GR and use them to find places. Remember - when giving four figure and six figure grid references you just write the Four figures - there are no points or commas!! e.g. 0403 and 052123
4. HEIGHT OF LAND
You must be able to interpret height of land on a map, including:
Spot Heights - black dot with a number by them - e.g. .34 = 34 metres above sea level.
Contour Lines - remember the height of the contour line is given (again in metres above sea level)
Remember: Contours close together = steep slope; Contours further apart = gentle slope
If there are no contours, it will suggest the area of land you are looking at is flat.
5. USING SYMBOLS
Remember you will need to use symbols to identify key features on a map. Some of the main symbols you may already know, however you will need to use the key on the map, to identify symbols you don't know.
6. DESCRIBING ROUTES
You must be able to describe routes on an OS map - in doing so you should be making good use of your other skills for example direction and symbols - e.g. "Follow the footpath, walking east, passing coniferous woodland on your left and a golf course on your right" - see the example you have been given in class "A scenic walk around St Ives"
REVISION OF SKILLS:
1. Read through your notes in your book
2. Test yourself using your Ordnance Survey Map (this is really important!)
3. Have a go at some of these online interactive quizzes:
 | Try some of the games on this Homework Help site from the Ordnance Survey http://www.mapzone.co.uk/pageshomeworkhelp/maptivity/ |
| Check out these fantastic quizzes on mapskills from Brigshaw High School and Language College some brilliant games on Grid References and Direction Here. |
| Try exploring the following website from the Ordnance Survey on mapskills: http://www.mapzone.co.uk/ in particular try the following games designed to help you practice Symbols; Direction and Grid References: http://www.mapzone.co.uk/pagesgames/gateway.cfm (particularly the OS map symbols flashcards!) |