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PlayOwl

Geography · Grade 6

Geographic Data and Map Reliability

Maps look certain, but every map is built from data that someone collected, at some date, by some method, for some purpose. Learners trace where geographic data comes from, run a sampling simulation to see why sample size matters, read the main kinds of thematic map, and learn the warning signs of an unreliable map — out-of-date borders, missing places, hidden sources and misleading choices. They finish by critiquing a map with a reliability checklist.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 90 minutes
  • Data and map reliability check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, highlight a text, pick map regions, match pairs and type a number
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Identify sources of geographic data and explain how the source, date, method and sample size affect reliability.
  • Read the essential elements of a map and choose the right type of thematic map for a dataset.
  • Recognise ways a map can mislead or go out of date, including generalisation, old boundaries and names, missing data and projection.
  • Evaluate a map with a reliability checklist and recommend specific improvements.

Lessons

  1. Where does geographic data come from? 6 steps3 practiceabout 22 min
  2. Samples and how far to trust them 6 steps3 practiceabout 20 min
  3. Reading thematic maps 5 steps3 practiceabout 22 min
  4. When maps mislead or go out of date 6 steps3 practiceabout 22 min
  5. Data and map reliability check 10 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.
  • Route PlannerFind the shortest way around town, dodge closed roads, and measure trips with a scale bar.

More 6th grade geography

Guide for grown-ups