Activity 2.2: building the picture

Introduction

In this activity students use maps and atlases to locate the places shown in the photographs used in Activity 2.1 to enable them to build their knowledge of a place. They also compare the visual images to cartography maps and directories to develop a further understanding of space and place.

Duration

60–90 minutes

Resources

• Gallery of stimulus photographs with teacher background information and suggested vocabulary
• Atlases, street directories, maps
• Websites:
  • maps.googles.com.au
  • images.google.com.au/
  • www.google.com/earth

• Activity stepsShow details
  1. Using the photos from Activity 2.1 ask the following questions to stimulate the inquiry.
     • What don't these photos tell us about a place? For example: Where is this place? Is it near the coast? Are there any cities nearby?
     • Where can we find other information about these places? How could these types of questions be answered?
  2. Ask students to return to their original groups (from Activity 2.1). Direct each group to one of the photographs used previously and provide them with the location information given in the title, for example, 'City of Port Augusta'.
  3. Using this added information instruct students to use Google Maps, Google Earth, atlases, maps and street directories to locate the place in their photograph. Ask them to add further details about the place to their notes, for example: latitude and longitude, the name of a nearby river or mountain range, street names, the closest town, and the state or territory.
  4. Draw the class back together to share what they have found out. Discuss how maps provide further information about a place.