More maps

As we are thinking about maps in year 6 it seems a good time to think about the functions of maps. While the OS maps are for general use other maps are designed to show particular things. Some maps hardly look like maps at all as anyone who has seen a map of the London Underground will tell you. Take a look at this map. It shows the motorway network of the UK but why does it look so strange? Have a think about what the person who designed it was trying to show. Also think about how maps can be used to show information, what about this map of the London underground system that shows frequency or what about the worldmapper maps that use the size of the countries to show information.

Ever dug a hole?

Have you ever dug a hole and wondered where it would come out if you carried on? Well now you can find out by clicking here. If you think it could be Australia you may be suprised. Oh and if you are tempted to check the results, don't try to dig a hole yourself, it's impossible as we will find out in year 9.

Grid Coordinates

If you are still confused by 6 figure grid coordinates then you can improve your skills by having a go at some of these. For the full background and details of how grid coordinates work go to the OS site for a full tutorial.

Maps Year 6

Our exploration of maps is now well underway. Remember that as spies you must not reveal your secret identity to anyone. You may also be expected to travel the world and know where you are going. Why not brush up on your map skills and have a little fun along the way with this country location game and work out your traveller IQ! Just click on the link and scroll down the page or select one of the other challenges on offer.

Make your own planet.

Lots of you have asked for the file to make a larger version of the Blue Marble globe from lessons. Click here to open the PDF file ready for printing.

Alternatively try a model of the Ozone layer (click here) , or the continents (click here). If you want a further challenge why not create an origami globe (a good chance to brush up on your paper folding skills if you are in year 9!)

General: Turkey Trouble

If you are a turkey you can normally expect life to be looking up after Christmas, not so in Suffolk this week where an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 virus has killed 2600 turkeys. The good news is that if you are not a turkey or a bird you should be OK as the virus has generally yet to make the leap to humans. Scientists are keeping a careful eye on the whole issue as if the virus could yet change or mutate into a form that humans can catch. Details of this story can be found here and a map showing the spread of the virus is also interesting to explore. The whole story has got me thinking about how useful maps are in showing the spread of things like this and how viruses can now spread much more quickly in our mobile society. By the way the study of disease occurrence (where diseases are found) and distribution (how they spread over space) is called epidemiology. All of which begs one question; where did I catch the flu that has made me so ill this week..?

General: Man from the OS again

The nice man who came from the OS last week has sent us a map showing the work he was doing. Obviously for copywrite reasons we can't publish it here, though if you want to see it pop into the geography room. Thankyou man from the OS!