Bring maps back into the classroom and put geography back on the agenda

Recent news that the Government is putting £2 million into England’s schools to encourage children to study Geography couldn’t have come at a better time. Two years ago, Ofsted reported that geography was the worst taught subject in primary schools. Following this, a recent survey by mapsinternational.co.uk found that geography was one of the least favoured subjects in school, only just beating religious studies which came last. Take up of the subject has also declined since geography was made a non-compulsory subject after the age of 14. This new government funding will surely help improve the teaching and learning of geography at primary school age, but there are still things teachers can be doing in the meantime to embed an early interest in the subject and to ensure children do not miss out on essential map reading skills.
There has been a lot of criticism lately about the curriculum for teaching geography in primary and secondary education. Basic map reading skills have been lost, even though they are necessary for general navigation, for relating to people and where they come from and even choosing holidays. If children are not taught the basics to create a general interest and foundations for future learning then many will simply opt out of the subject at the age of 14.

Geography and basic map reading could even have a profound effect on how students relate to other subjects. For example if used alongside history, maps will actually give you clues as to why events happened as they did. It could be the piece of the jigsaw that helps the whole picture to make sense. Maps in religious studies help you to understand where different cultures and different religions exist and how widespread some religions are depending on the size of the country they originate from. Maps are even used in language learning – for example the teaching of French and Spanish would not be complete without learning the history and geography of each country.

Maps can also be fun tools to have in the classroom, but it is important to make them relevant to children in order for them to be effective. Primary aged children respond well to bright colours, big text and pictures; so maps used in primary school classrooms need to reflect this. All too often the maps provided in schools for children are designed for an older audience with far too much information, small text and basic colours. Schools should be investing in products that are going to stimulate and inspire learning.

There are now products designed especially for the primary school market to help encourage children to take an interest in map reading. Maps with bigger and friendlier text ensure it is easier to read, allowing children to absorb more information about the world. It is important to avoid overloading children with too much information on their early introduction to geography. Maps that show basic information, such as names of countries and capital cities and prominent lakes and mountains that are likely to be covered on the school curriculum will be far easier for children to understand.
Mapsinternational is the largest online resource for maps and guides. Its comprehensive range of around 40,000 products includes business mapping products and services, wall maps, travel maps and guides, gifts, activity maps and guides, educational products and much more. Please visit their website http://www.mapsinternational.co.uk/ to access free resources for schools, as well as a wide range of textbooks, activity books and the primary school world wall map.