Five minutes together
Look. Wonder. Talk.
Our discovery: Use four compass directions to describe the positions of places from one clear reference point.
Begin at the center of the compass rose. Follow one tip with your eyes before naming its direction.
What is east of the compass?
Start here
Read one direction at a time; match it to a pictured object.
Explore further
Rotate the drawing and explain why the letter N still marks north in the drawing.
Three questions to share
1What is east of the compass?
Answer cue: The flowers are east, to the right of the compass on this picture.
2Which direction takes you from the compass toward the tree?
Answer cue: North. Follow the north tip upward to the tree.
3Which two directions are opposites?
Answer cue: North and south are opposites; east and west are opposites. Show a pair across the compass center.
If your child is unsure: Read one direction at a time; match it to a pictured object.
Something to try together
Make a four-direction picture
You’ll need: Paper and a pencil or crayon, or use pointing and spoken descriptions.
- Draw a cross and put N at the top, E at the right, S at the bottom and W at the left.
- Choose a center and draw one simple place at each end.
- Give a direction from the center and ask a partner to point to the matching place.
What this can show
Can the child identify the flowers as east from the compass center and show one opposite pair? Stay together and use the picture or an indoor drawing. No trip, purchase, cutting, water access or real address is needed.
Return to it: Turn the paper. The N still marks north on the drawing; is it still at the top of your view?
Get the guide and discovery recordFor teachers · About 20 minutes
A small lesson with room to explore.
Learning aim: Use four compass directions to describe the positions of places from one clear reference point.
Prepare: Read the picture and answer cues. Have the optional explorer’s notebook available. Paper and a pencil or crayon, or use pointing and spoken descriptions.
- 3 min
Notice
Look together: Begin at the center of the compass rose. Follow one tip with your eyes before naming its direction.
- 4 min
Compare
Discuss: read one question and invite children to point to the evidence.
- 8 min
Try together
Draw a cross and put N at the top, E at the right, S at the bottom and W at the left. Choose a center and draw one simple place at each end. Give a direction from the center and ask a partner to point to the matching place.
- 5 min
Explain
Try and explain: Draw a cross and put N at the top, E at the right, S at the bottom and W at the left. Choose a center and draw one simple place at each end. Give a direction from the center and ask a partner to point to the matching place.
Check the idea together
Can the child identify the flowers as east from the compass center and show one opposite pair?
What to listen for
The flowers are east, to the right of the compass on this picture. North. Follow the north tip upward to the tree. North and south are opposites; east and west are opposites. Show a pair across the compass center.
Read labels aloud and describe shape and position. Accept speech, signing, pointing or eye gaze; do not rely only on color.
