📍 Map Symbols
📖 Learn
A symbol is a small picture that stands for something bigger. Maps use symbols to show many things in a small space!
🔑 What is a Map Key?
A map key (also called a legend) tells us what each symbol means. It's like a secret code!
🗺️ Common Map Symbols
- ⭐ Star - often means a capital city or special place
- 🏠 House shape - shows homes or buildings
- 🌳 Tree shape - shows parks or forests
- 💧 Blue color - shows water (lakes, rivers, oceans)
- ➡️ Lines - show roads or paths
- 📍 Dot - shows a city or town
⬆️ Direction Symbols
Many maps have a symbol that shows directions:
- ⬆️ Up = North
- ⬇️ Down = South
- ⬅️ Left = West
- ➡️ Right = East
💡 Examples
Let's practice reading map symbols!
Example 1: Reading a Map Key
Map Key:
- 🌳 = Park
- 🏫 = School
- 🏠 = House
Question: You see 🌳 on the map. What is there?
Answer: A park! The tree symbol means park.
Example 2: Finding Water
On a map, you see a blue area.
Question: What does the blue color usually mean?
Answer: Water! Blue on maps almost always means water - like a lake, river, or ocean.
Example 3: Which Way?
The arrow on a map points up ⬆️.
Question: Which direction is up on the map?
Answer: North! Up on most maps means North.
✏️ Practice
Answer these questions about map symbols!
1. 🔑 A map key tells us what _______ mean.
Think: What are the little pictures on a map called?
2. 💧 On a map, the color blue usually shows _______.
Think: What in nature is blue?
3. ⬆️ On most maps, UP means which direction? _______
Think: N is for...
4. 🌳 A green tree symbol on a map might mean a _______ or forest.
Think: Where do you see lots of trees?
5. ⬇️ The opposite of North is _______.
Think: If up is North, what is down?
6. ⭐ A star symbol on a map often shows a _______ city.
Think: Stars are special! What kind of city is special?
7. ➡️ Right on a map is the same as _______.
Think: E is for...
8. 🗺️ Another name for a map key is a _______.
Think: It starts with L...
9. 📍 A small dot on a map usually shows a _______ or town.
Think: Where do many people live together?
10. ⬅️ Left on a map is the same as _______.
Think: W is for...
✅ Check Your Understanding
Think about what you learned!
1. What is a map symbol?
2. Why do maps need a map key?
3. What do the four directions (North, South, East, West) mean on a map?
🚀 Next Steps
- 🗺️ Find a map and look for its map key
- 📍 Practice pointing North, South, East, and West in your classroom
- 🏠 Create your own map with symbols and a key
- Move on to learn about describing places!