This investigation is concerned with the learning of the concept of territory use through the elaboration of a sketch based on vertical aerial photographs. A research carried out with 6th grade students from a Rio Claro (SP) public primary school revealed that the elaboration of a sketch and its subsequent group discussion favors the construction of the concept of territory use, in addition to settling that of map. When assessing the work files, which include sketches, we drew on Delval (1998) who asserts that we construct knowledge through schemes - standards that guide our behavior and help us reach our aims. This research was an opportunity to use a technical set of tools to elaborate geographical concepts in a schooling context.
Vertical aerial photographs; School learning; School cartography