Map Skills: Cardinal Directions
Using north, south, east, and west on a map
Map Skills: Cardinal Directions
Using north, south, east, and west on a map
Social Studies - Grade 2-3
- 1
Write the four cardinal directions.
Think about the letters on a compass rose: N, S, E, and W.
The four cardinal directions are north, south, east, and west. - 2
On most maps, which direction is usually at the top?
North is usually at the top of most maps. - 3
If north is at the top of a map, which direction is at the bottom?
North and south are opposites.
South is at the bottom of the map when north is at the top. - 4
If north is at the top of a map, which direction is to the right?
East is to the right when north is at the top of the map. - 5
If north is at the top of a map, which direction is to the left?
A compass rose can help you remember left and right.
West is to the left when north is at the top of the map. - 6
Look at the map. The school is south of the library. Complete the sentence: The library is _____ of the school.
The library is north of the school because north is the opposite of south. - 7
Look at the map. The park is west of the post office. Complete the sentence: The post office is _____ of the park.
Opposite directions can help you describe places from the other location.
The post office is east of the park because east is the opposite of west. - 8
A store is east of your house. Which way would you travel from your house to get to the store?
You would travel east from your house to get to the store. - 9
You walk north from the playground to the bus stop. Which direction would you walk to return to the playground?
To go back, use the opposite direction.
You would walk south to return to the playground because south is the opposite of north. - 10
Look at the grid map. Start at the house. Move 2 spaces east and 1 space north. Where do you land?
You land at the pond after moving 2 spaces east and 1 space north from the house. - 11
Look at the grid map. Start at the school. Move 1 space west and 2 spaces south. Where do you land?
Move one step at a time and count each space carefully.
You land at the soccer field after moving 1 space west and 2 spaces south from the school. - 12
Mia is facing north. She turns around to face the opposite direction. Which direction is she facing now?
Mia is facing south because south is the opposite of north. - 13
Leo is facing east. He turns around to face the opposite direction. Which direction is he facing now?
Turning around means facing the opposite way.
Leo is facing west because west is the opposite of east. - 14
Look at the neighborhood map. The fire station is north of the bank and west of the library. Describe where the fire station is using both directions.
The fire station is north of the bank and west of the library. - 15
Write directions from the zoo to the museum. The museum is 3 blocks east of the zoo and 2 blocks north.
Use both directions and include the number of blocks.
To get from the zoo to the museum, travel 3 blocks east and then 2 blocks north.