📖

Directions on a Map

Cardinal Directions

Day 89of 180
Week 18of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how to describe location using cardinal directions

2

Practice identifying north, south, east, and west on a map

3

Develop spatial awareness skills

📖 Scripture Connection

Joshua 18:4

“Appoint for yourselves three men from each tribe. I will send them, and they shall arise, and walk through the land, and describe it according to their inheritance.”

— Joshua 18:4 (WEB)

God helps us understand and describe the world around us, just like the Israelites mapped their land

📦 Materials Needed

  • Simple world map
  • Colored stickers
  • Compass
  • Blank paper
  • Colored pencils
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students around a world map. Remind them of previous lessons about cardinal directions. Ask them to point to different directions on the map.

💭 Review Question: Can you show me where north is on our map?
2Teaching (8 min)

Explain how we use words like 'north of', 'south of', 'east of', and 'west of' to describe where things are located.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • North is always at the top of a map
  • South is at the bottom of a map
  • East is on the right side
  • West is on the left side
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What direction would you go to get from your home to church?
  • Can you name something north of where we are right now?
3Activity: Map Treasure Hunt (10 min)
hands-on

Students will place stickers on a map and describe their locations using cardinal directions

📝 Instructions:
  1. Give each student a map and colored stickers
  2. Place a sticker on your home city
  3. Place another sticker somewhere else and describe its location
  4. Example: 'My second sticker is west of my home city'
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use a local map instead of a world map

Challenge: Add multiple stickers and create more complex descriptions

4Closing (2 min)

Review what we learned about directions

📝 Review Questions:
  • What are the four cardinal directions?
  • How do we use directions to describe location?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for creating a world with wonderful directions that help us understand our place in it.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll go on a direction treasure hunt!

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 3:6

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

— Proverbs 3:6 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Direction Dance - move in different directions while saying parts of the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

First graders are learning spatial awareness and map reading skills

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use physical movement to reinforce direction concepts
  • Practice directions during daily activities
  • Use a compass at home to find true north
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might confuse east and west initially

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Ability to point to and describe locations using cardinal directions

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a simple treasure map at home
  • Use directions while playing outdoor games
  • Practice finding north with a compass

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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