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Map Skills - Distance
Objectives
To look in more detail at scale on maps, and at how it can be used to calculate distance.
Resources
📊 Scale & Distance (PowerPoint) | 📄 Scale & Distance Worksheet | Student Atlas | 📊 Google Maps Distance (PowerPoint) | Calculator | Ruler | String
Today's Lesson
Main Activity
We looked at scale briefly in Lesson 1, when we used it to create a scaled plan of a room. This lesson we are going into more detail in how scale can be used to calculate distance on maps. The scale on our room map was 1:25, but for maps covering larger areas like cities or countries we need much smaller scale maps, which means the numbers are much larger: 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 are common. The scale in our atlas can be as small as 1:80 million! This means the earth is 80 million times bigger in real life than it looks on your page!
Start by looking at the Scale & Distance PowerPoint with your student; this explains the basics. Now we are going to see if we can calculate distance for ourselves using maps in our atlas. You will need the Scale & Distance Worksheet and your Student Atlas.
Ask your student to work through the questions in turn. Most students will find the multiplication the hardest part, and they can use a calculator for this. Answers are at the bottom of the page.
Challenge Activity
Your student can investigate scale and distance further using Google Maps. Follow the instructions on the Google Maps Distance PowerPoint.