Exploring Maps with Compass Directions
Year 3 Geography Learning to navigate with north, south, east and west
What We Already Know
Grid maps help us find places Grid references use letters and numbers Maps show us where things are located Geographers use maps to understand our world
Think About This
How can we describe where one place is compared to another place? Where is the classroom door compared to your desk? Where is the playground compared to the library?
Meet the Compass
A compass is a special tool that always points north It has four main directions: North, South, East, West These directions never change, unlike left and right Geographers use compasses to be very accurate
The Four Cardinal Directions
Compass Practice
Stand up and face north Point to each direction as I call it out North... South... East... West... Remember: these directions never change!
Australian States and Compass Directions
Queensland is north of New South Wales South Australia is south of Northern Territory Western Australia is west of South Australia We can describe where states are using compass directions
True or False?
{"left":"Queensland is south of Tasmania\nNew South Wales is east of Western Australia","right":"Victoria is north of Tasmania\nNorthern Territory is west of Queensland"}
Capital Cities on a Grid Map
Sydney is at grid reference I6 Sydney is north of Melbourne We can use BOTH grid references AND compass directions This makes our descriptions very accurate
Describe the Capital Cities
Work with a partner Choose a capital city Describe its location using grid reference AND compass direction Example: Perth is at A4, west of Adelaide
Create Your Own Direction Game
Make game cards with: Starting capital city Compass directions to follow Grid references Which city do you end up at?
What We've Learned Today
Compass directions help us describe locations accurately North, South, East, and West never change We can combine grid references with compass directions Geographers use these skills to understand our world better