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Geography · Grade 3

Map Scale and Grid References

A map is much smaller than the real place, so mapmakers add a scale that says how map distance turns into real distance, and a grid that gives every place a square address. Learners measure with scale bars, find and give letter–number grid references, choose between zoomed-in and zoomed-out maps, and plan a hiking trip using scale.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 70 minutes
  • Scale and grid check: 9 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, plot points, match pairs, type a number and place on a number line
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What learners will discover

  • Use a map scale to change a map distance into a real distance, and a real distance into a map distance.
  • Find a place from a letter–number grid reference and give the grid reference of a place.
  • Choose a zoomed-in or a zoomed-out map for a task and explain the trade-off between area and detail.
  • Use a scale to solve a new route problem with more than one part, and explain why a map needs a scale.

Lessons

  1. What a scale tells us 7 steps4 practiceabout 18 min
  2. Grid references 6 steps3 practiceabout 18 min
  3. Zoomed in or zoomed out? 5 steps3 practiceabout 14 min
  4. Scale in action: plan a hike 5 steps2 practiceabout 20 min
  5. Scale and grid check 9 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Globe ExplorerSpin a real 3D globe, flip to the flat map, and find continents, oceans and countries.
  • Pin the PlanetDrag the pin onto wonders, cities and exact latitude and longitude points.
  • Mapmaker QuestFollow directions to make a map, then read its legend, compass rose and scale.

More 3rd grade geography

Guide for grown-ups