New editions of Collins Mapstart and Mapstart Copymasters

This Thursday (4th Feb) sees the publication of new editions in the popular Collins Mapstart and Mapstart Copymaster series.


Children find maps intriguing and really want to know how to read them. They need a lot of practice with the basic map skills of locating places on a grid, estimating distances using scale, finding direction, using indexes, and understanding common map symbols. Collins Mapstart series helps to establish a sound foundation in spatial awareness using familiar objects, perspectives, locations, organisations, skills and vocabulary. Teachers' notes at the end of each book provide ideas for further enrichment.

Accompanying each Mapstart book is a set of Mapstart Copymasters which can be downloaded from Collins Education website. Each Copymaster provides a set of further exercises to reinforce and extend the ideas and skills introduced in the corresponding core book.

Mapstart teaches and develops children's geographical map and atlas skills using plans and maps on a variety of scales. This practical, structured map skills course meets the requirements of the Geography National Curriculum at KS1 and KS2 and uses a simple colourful layout to introduce pupils to using and drawing maps and plans.

• Provides step-by-step progression to using and understanding world maps
• Ideal for specialist and non-specialist teachers
• Useful for developing map literacy and numeracy
• Teachers' notes, links and ideas are included for extension activities
• Uses a wide range of material such as photographs, picture maps, illustrations and satellite images.


Mapstart 1 Copymasters and Mapstart 2 Copymasters are downloadable file each containing a set of 40 pages of outlines of drawings, plans and maps used in Mapstart 1 and 2 core books. These can be used to give additional practice in the skills introduced in Mapstart books. Teachers' notes are included.

Anne Mahon, Managing Editor for Geo Education