Continents
Continents are the very large areas of land on Earth. In English-speaking schools you usually learn seven, but some countries count six.
Geography · Ages 7–9 · 55 minutes
Map skills and compass directions
Children use the four compass points to give and follow directions on a grid map, and read simple map symbols with a key.
Success criteria
- I can name north, east, south and west
- I can give directions using compass points
- I can use a key to read map symbols
Key vocabulary
- map
- compass
- north
- east
- south
- west
- direction
- key
- symbol
- grid
- route
You will need
- a simple magnetic compass
- compass-point signs for the classroom walls
- squared paper
- a large grid map on the board
- small toys or counters
- coloured pencils
Practice sheets
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The Pirate’s Map
Maze
Maze
"Go that way, past the thing" is how most seven-year-olds give directions. This lesson swaps that for north, east, south and west, and a map key, so that anyone can follow the route, including a classmate who has never seen the place.
1.Starter
5–10 minRead the opening of The Pirate's Map from the practice buttons, or simply show a treasure-map picture. Ask: "If you had to tell a friend how to find the treasure, what words would you use?" Collect the words on the board: left, right, forward, past, next to. Then ask: "What if your friend is facing a different way? Does left still work?" Seven minutes.
2.Teach
10–15 minShow a magnetic compass. "The needle in a compass always points north. Once we know where north is, we can find the other directions." Turn the class to face north (use the compass to check, and put up the sign). Then add east, south and west signs around the room.
Teach the order clockwise from the top. Children can invent a phrase to remember it, such as Never Eat Slimy Worms. Script: "North is always at the top of most maps. If you move up the map, you are going north."
Draw a grid map on the board with a school, a park, a shop and a river, using simple symbols. Add a key: "A key tells us what each symbol means, so the map does not need words everywhere." Model a route: "Start at the school. Go two squares east, then three squares north. Where am I?"
map
house
school
shop
tree
bridge
