Follow Directions to Build a Town: Cardinal Directions

Overview:

Follow the directions to build a town using a map and cardinal directions. This activity helps students practise using compass directions to create and describe the layout of a town. Designed for students in year 4 and year 5.

Learning Objectives:

• Follow instructions to place objects on a map using cardinal directions (north, south, east, west).
• Think critically about the best locations for various town features (e.g., post office, playground).
• Describe the locations of objects using directional language and justify the choices made.

How the Activity Works:

In Step 1, students follow instructions to place different features on a town map using cardinal directions. For example, they may place two houses north of the school, or an ice cream shop east of the forest. As they complete the instructions, students are building the layout of their town.

In Step 2, students are asked to think about where to best place additional features such as a post office, beach resort, and playground. They will draw these on the map and describe each location using directional language. Students are encouraged to justify their choices, explaining why certain locations are ideal based on proximity to other landmarks or logical placement within the town.

This activity supports map-reading skills, spatial awareness, and the use of cardinal directions in real-world contexts.