What is sensitive mapping? Behind this term lies an original approach that combines traditional cartography with personal insight.
- Mapping: creating a scaled-down representation of an area to help people find their way around.
- Sensitive: incorporating our emotions and perceptions, such as the places we enjoy or avoid, familiar places, or those we discover from a different perspective. In this way, the pupils create a unique and very personal map of a place they know well.
You don’t need to be an artist to take part! Simple drawings, stickers, captions, or even collages – any technique is fine for letting their creativity run wild.
An activity in several stages: from feeling to exploration!
1) Spontaneous generation
The workshop began in the classroom: guided by Margot, the children drew on a sheet of paper the elements they already had in mind, based on their own personal view of their surroundings.
2) Fieldwork
Next, it was time to observe! As they went out into the school playground and the surrounding area, the pupils explored their surroundings with fresh eyes. They looked for specific features to add to their map: the vegetation and animals they had spotted.
3) Returning to the classroom and expanding the menu
Back in the classroom, with a better understanding and a keener eye for their surroundings, they incorporated the discoveries they had made during their exploration into their map. This exercise helped them to feel more connected to the natural world around them.
4) Brainstorming and coming up with solutions
Once the maps had been finalised, they were used as a basis for discussing the impact of human activities on the environment and for considering practical solutions to protect biodiversity.
Are you a teacher? Would you like to introduce your pupils to this activity? Sow My Dream offers free activities for schools. Get in touch to organise a workshop!
Let’s work together to nurture the biodiversity champions of tomorrow.