Social Studies: Reading a Map: Keys, Compass, Scale
Use map symbols, directions, and simple distance clues
Social Studies: Reading a Map: Keys, Compass, Scale
Use map symbols, directions, and simple distance clues
Social Studies - Grade K-1
- 1
Look at the map key. A star means school. What does the star show on the map?
A map key tells what each symbol means.
The star shows where the school is on the map. - 2
Look at the compass rose. Which direction points up?
North points up on the compass rose. - 3
On a map, a tree symbol means park. If you see a tree symbol, what place is there?
Find the symbol in the map key.
The tree symbol means there is a park there. - 4
Mia is at the school. The library is north of the school. Should Mia go up or down on the map to get to the library?
Mia should go up on the map because north is up. - 5
The map key says a blue square means pond. Circle the place with a blue square. What place did you circle?
Match the symbol on the map to the symbol in the key.
I circled the pond because the blue square means pond. - 6
Sam is at home. The store is east of home. Which way should Sam move on the map?
Sam should move right on the map because east is to the right. - 7
The scale says 1 step on the map equals 1 block. The park is 3 map steps from the school. How many blocks away is the park?
Count one block for each map step.
The park is 3 blocks away from the school. - 8
A map key shows a book symbol for library. Draw or write what the book symbol stands for.
The book symbol stands for the library. - 9
Look at a map where the playground is south of the school. Is the playground above or below the school on the map?
On many classroom maps, south points down.
The playground is below the school because south is down on the map. - 10
The map key says a red cross means hospital. What does a red cross on the map show?
A red cross shows where the hospital is on the map. - 11
Lena walks from the park to the school. The school is west of the park. Which way does Lena go on the map?
West is the direction marked W on the compass rose.
Lena goes left on the map because west is to the left. - 12
The scale says 1 finger space equals 1 street. The store is 2 finger spaces from home. How many streets away is the store?
The store is 2 streets away from home. - 13
Why is a map key helpful?
Think about how you know if a symbol means school, park, or store.
A map key is helpful because it tells what the symbols on a map mean. - 14
Look at the compass rose. What letter stands for east?
The letter E stands for east on a compass rose. - 15
A friend wants to find the park on a map. The key says the park is shown with a green tree. What should your friend look for?
Use the key to match the place with its symbol.
My friend should look for a green tree symbol to find the park.