Create a Typographical Map

Can You Make a Typographical Map of Your Home?

Most maps use drawings or diagrams to show the shape of something on the ground. A typographical map uses words and the shapes of letters instead. They are a great way to learn new words and get creative at the same time.

This is a typographical map of the ground floor of a house. Like all maps, it's an aerial or birds eye view, looking from above.

Looking at the map can you find the following:

• Where is the front door?
• Can you find the bedroom?
• What is the little room at the back of the house?
• Do you think this house has a pet?

How to Make Your Own Typographical Map

You will need:

• A pencil and an eraser
• Some coloured pens (gel pens or coloured biros are great but anything with a thin nib will do)
• Scrap paper
• White or pale paper for the building
• Contrasting paper for the background (eg coloured paper, wrapping paper or wallpaper)

Method

1. Start with the biggest room in your home and imagine you are looking down from the ceiling - what shape is the room? A square or a rectangle?
2. Use your pencil to roughly draw the shape on the pale paper. It doesn't have to be perfect
3. Next, think about the rooms attached to this big room and draw those shapes as well (don't forget about the hall)
4. On the scrap paper, make a list of words that describe what happens in each room. It might help to think about who uses the room at different times of the day
5. Once you've chosen some words, use your pencil to write them into each room on the pale paper. Think carefully about how you want the words to look - you could squash the letters together, spread them out or write in a spiral. Are your letters thick, curly or wobbly?
6. When you're happy with the layout, go over the pencil words with coloured pens
7. Lastly, cut out your building and lie it on the background paper

We'd love to see what you've made! Take a photo and send it to us via email: summerreadingchallenge@aberdeenshire.gov.uk