National Curriculum links

Geographical skills and fieldwork: use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world. Geographical skills and fieldwork: use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied. Locational knowledge: identify the position and significance of latitude and longitude.

Key Stage 2 Geography programme of study, National Curriculum in England (Department for Education).

Learning objectives

By the end of the sequence, pupils will be able to:

  • explain that an Ordnance Survey map is covered by a numbered grid of eastings and northings;
  • give and read a four-figure grid reference to locate a square;
  • give and read a six-figure grid reference to locate a point more precisely;
  • understand that latitude and longitude are a second way of describing a precise location, and find both for a real place.

Lesson outline

Starter

Recap the eight points of the compass. Show a gridded map and ask how we could describe exactly where something is, more precisely than "near the middle". Introduce the idea of a numbered grid.

Main activity

Teach eastings (the lines going up the page, read first) and northings (the lines going across, read second), using the mnemonic "along the corridor, then up the stairs". Model a four-figure reference to name a square, then a six-figure reference to pinpoint a feature within it. Pupils practise on a sample Ordnance Survey extract.

To connect the grid to real places, enter the school's postcode into the postcode to latitude and longitude tool, which also returns the Ordnance Survey easting, northing and grid reference. Pupils compare the two systems: the OS grid reference and the latitude and longitude for the same point.

Plenary

Give pupils a list of features on a map extract and ask them to write the correct grid reference for each, or vice versa. Mark together and address misconceptions, particularly reading northings before eastings.

Differentiation

Support and challenge

  • Support: focus on four-figure references only, with the "along the corridor and up the stairs" mnemonic displayed and a partially completed worksheet.
  • Challenge: use six-figure references confidently, and explain how a grid reference and a latitude/longitude pair describe the same point in two different systems.

Key vocabulary

grid reference, easting, northing, four-figure, six-figure, Ordnance Survey, symbol, key, scale, latitude, longitude.

Assessment: key questions

  • Can pupils correctly read eastings before northings?
  • Can pupils give an accurate four-figure and six-figure grid reference?
  • Can pupils find the latitude and longitude of a place and explain how it differs from a grid reference?

Tools and links for this lesson