The Ability of Elementary School Children to Analyse General Reference and Thematic Maps

Physical maps with hypsometric tints, political maps with a monochromatic background, large-scale maps for younger students, and small-scale maps for older students, as well as maps with a limited number of thematic layers, are the predominant map forms found in elementary school textbooks in both Greece and Cyprus. The ability of elementary school children between Grade 3 and Grade 6 to analyse map content on these types of maps is investigated in a series of tests. The variables considered are map scale, complexity of background, number of thematic layers, and representation of land-forms. Results indicate the need for strategic use of different map forms in order to help students to develop the ability to analyse map content.