Fix north in place.
Establish a fixed north in the classroom and review the four cardinal directions.
Geography · Grades 2–4 · 3–5 minutes
Compass Moves
Read the compass. Make your move.
Use a compass rose to move across a trail map with cardinal and intermediate directions.
Start exploringFour cardinal directions.Four directions in between.Follow the compass rose.
Practice Lab trail map 02Untimed · resets on refresh
Choose a trail
Ready to make your move?
Four cardinal directions.Four directions in between.Follow the compass rose.
Mission 1 of 10Guided TrailFirst-try moves: 0
Trail lesson
Four more directions join the trail.
Northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest sit between the cardinal directions.
The corners are intermediate directions.
Follow the Compass
Mission 1: Move north.
Choose the trail stop one square north of your marker.
Current position: Ranger Station. Adjacent moves are available.
Trail review
Trail complete.
10Total moves completed
10First-try moves
0Clue or retry
0Reviewed with help
Completed route
Directions practiced: N, E, S, W
N, E, S, and W are cardinal directions.The four intermediate directions sit between them.Use the fixed compass rose.
For teachers and grown-ups
Planning desk notes
For teachers
Compass Moves practices north, east, south, west, and the four intermediate directions through one-step movement on a standard north-up map. Students use the compass rose rather than body-relative left and right.
- Recommended grades
- 2–4
- Skill
- Cardinal and intermediate directions
- Session length
- 3–5 minutes
- Format
- Individual, partner, station, or projector
- Preparation
- None
- Account required
- No
Say the move.
Ask students to say the full direction before selecting a move.
Draw a partner route.
Have students draw a 3×3 map, add a compass rose, and write a short route for a partner.
Printable next steps
Continue the directions practice away from the screen.
Three existing Reed.School resources for guided lessons, stations, and independent map practice.
FreePreK–Grade 3 · Worksheet
Compass Rose
Young learners identify and apply cardinal and intermediate directions.
COMPLETE BUNDLEGrades 2–5 · Bundle
Mapping Made Easy
Students practice the core map-reading skills they need to navigate maps independently.
FreeKindergarten–Grade 5 · Activity
Map Legend & Key
Students learn how map symbols work by inventing and applying a legend of their own.