Reception Geography Lesson – 3D Map

This Reception geography lesson on 3D maps is the final part of EYFS Geography Block 1: Street and House Detectives. Children consolidate their learning by creating a junk model 3D map of the local area. Using small boxes, photographs and small world toys, they represent buildings, roads and landmarks. Through discussion, role play and map-making, children revisit key learning from across the unit and apply their understanding of how maps represent real places.

What’s included in this lesson pack

• Editable PowerPoint revisiting local area features, maps and routes
• Activity instructions for creating a 3D junk model map
• Printable vocabulary cards and labelling resources
• Letter writing templates and envelopes for role-play activities
• Teacher guidance with misconceptions, vocabulary and assessment prompts

EYFS learning objectives

• Draw information from a simple map
• Talk about familiar places in the local area
• Use talk to help organise thinking and explain ideas
• Articulate thoughts and experiences in well-formed sentences
• Return to previous learning and develop ways of representing places

Teaching tip

Use photographs of the local area alongside the 3D map to help children make connections between real places and their representations. Encourage the children to explain why particular buildings, roads or landmarks have been included and discuss which places are important to them. Small world cars and people can help bring the map to life and reinforce understanding of journeys and routes.

Cross-curricular links

Literacy: add labels and captions to maps, write letters and addresses, and discuss familiar places. Maths: explore odd and even house numbers and use positional language to describe routes and locations. PSHE: discuss people who help us in the community and consider how maps can support safe journeys.

Explore more

This lesson is part of EYFS Geography Block 1 – Street and House Detectives, within our complete primary geography scheme of work for EYFS, KS1 and KS2.