Grades 1–5
Directions Around Town
A 16-square town map with a compass rose: kids find what is north, south, east and west of each place.
Social studies worksheet · Maps and cardinal directions
Label the Compass Rose
Label the four cardinal directions and the four in-between (intermediate) directions on a compass rose, then answer sun and map questions.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–5
- Time
- About 10 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Map skills, Cardinal and intermediate directions, Grids and coordinates, Map keys and scale
What kids do
“Write N, S, E and W on the compass rose. Bonus: add NE, SE, SW and NW.”
Printed on the sheet:
- North is at the top of most maps.
- Going clockwise: Never Eat Soggy
- Waffles (North, East, South, West).
- In-between directions join two names: north + east = northeast (NE).
- Answer the questions
- 1. The sun rises in the
- 2. The sun sets in the
- 3. The opposite of north is
Teacher tip
Teach “Never Eat Soggy Waffles” to remember the order going clockwise.
How to use it
- Look at a real map of your town or school together first.
- Show a map on the document camera and model one question.
- Start with a quick question that connects the topic to kids’ own lives.
Watch for
Kids who think north means “up” on any page. Turn the map and talk about it.
Talk about it
- How would you give a friend directions to your house?
- How does this connect to where we live?
Take it further
Make a class map of the playground with a key.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More maps and cardinal directions worksheets
Grades 1–5
Treasure Island Grid
A lettered and numbered treasure island map: read grid squares like C4, then draw new things in the squares you are given.
Grades 1–5
Make a Map With a Key
Draw a bird’s-eye map of a real place, add a compass rose and build a map key (legend) with your own symbols.
Grades 2–5
Follow the Directions
Follow north, south, east and west steps on a letter grid to spell a secret map word.
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