Classroom Session 2
Adding information to a map
Adding symbols, text and other information to an outline map of the school grounds
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Here is how this session was taught:
Learning Objectives
Use of Local Studies software (or alternative software package) to add additional buildings, symbols and other information to a base-map of the school.
Learning Outcomes
Creation of a personalised map of the school and grounds that shows recent building developments and includes information that is important to the individual pupil (this provides an opportunity for personalised learning).
Resources
- Mapping software (we used Local Studies from Soft Teach). Alternatively, you could use Textease, SMART Notebook software or even a Paint package. Download this guide on choosing mapping software: Creating digital maps: Choosing the right software for you and your pupils.
- Computer suite loaded with the software
- Outline base map (in digital format) of the school and grounds
- First time using the software? Download this guide: Getting Started with Local Studies.
Organisation
Whole class group in the ICT suite plus four adults (two adults support children from the Autism Unit) OR half class group working with two adults with SLA's for children with autism.
Teaching the Session
During a previous session the children had learnt how to use the software by creating a map of Little Red Riding Hood's journey to visit her grandmother. Guidance for this activity can be found in Getting Started with Local Studies.
First the children need to import a pre-prepared background map into their own Local Studies 'project' and I therefore demonstrate a number of key skills for importing backgrounds and saving their project. Next, the children need to modify the outline shape of the building because recent building work at the school means that our base map is not up to date. To do this we use built-in set of draw tools available in Local Studies though these are not nearly as flexible as some of the drawing and painting tools that we take for granted in more modern software.
Following this the children use the drag and drop icons in the software to add symbols to their base map. The provision of such symbols within Local Studies is the real strength of the software. If you do not possess this software in school you could do something similar with Textease or IWB software though you will probably need to supplement the symbol sets available in each resource gallery.
Finally, the children begin to add text to their map and to label different parts of the school grounds.
Where next?
Adding information about how we 'feel' in different places to the maps.
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