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Geography · Years 2-4
How can I teach children to design a clear map key?
Create consistent symbols and use a key to read a simple invented place.
Download: Map key maker
A4 PDF · 2 pages · free · no sign-up
Print page 1 for the activity and keep page 2 for teaching notes, answers or review criteria.
Use A4 paper at 100% or Actual size. Suggested years or grades are selection aids, rather than curriculum alignment claims.
How to use this resource
- Choose a simple bench symbol and use exactly the same symbol in the key and twice on the map.
- Use the supplied example or task brief. Let the learner respond through writing, drawing, discussion or their usual communication method.
- Review the answers or criteria below. Can another reader identify a feature by consulting the key rather than relying on the creator's explanation?
What is in the printable?
Invented park brief: Show a gate, a pond, two benches and a path. A map key explains what each symbol means. Symbols are choices, so a key is needed rather than guessing their meaning.
- Choose and draw one symbol for each feature in a four-entry key.
- Draw the park plan. Use the bench symbol twice and keep the symbols consistent.
- Ask a partner to locate the pond using only your key. Record one change that would make it clearer.
- Why might using the same symbol for both gate and bench confuse a reader?
Make it easier or add challenge
More support
Provide four symbol choices to label, then add them to a pre-drawn park boundary.
More challenge
Make a version that remains readable in black and white and explain one design choice.
What to look for
Can another reader identify a feature by consulting the key rather than relying on the creator's explanation?
Teacher answers and suggested responses
Open-ended. The key has four distinct labelled entries; the plan contains a gate, pond, two benches and a path using matching symbols.
A successful revision improves readability for another reader. Symbols need not look realistic.
The same unqualified symbol for two features makes the key ambiguous. A distinct shape, pattern or added label can resolve it.
Further teaching guidance
Related guidance from EP for Schools: How can we make map skills more accessible for pupils with SEND?
Try another activity
Deliver individually or in a small group
Choose one learning aim from this activity. Model one example, work through another together, then give each pupil a turn with a fresh example. In a group, ask everyone to think or show a response before sharing; one confident answer does not show what the whole group understands.
Keep the task’s more-support option available. Allow the usual communication tools, practical materials or drawing where these preserve the learning aim. Reduce the number of examples if needed, rather than rushing through the sheet.
What progress should I look for?
Can another reader identify a feature by consulting the key rather than relying on the creator's explanation?
Note the example used and whether the response was independent, followed a general prompt or needed a model. Try a different example on a later occasion and look for clearer reasoning or less support on a comparable task. Use these observations to plan the next teaching step.
Printing, access and sharing
Use separate paper or a different recording method when more space or an accessible format is needed. Free to print and copy within your school, setting or family. Retain the website credit and share this teaching page with other settings.