Chapter: Directions and Positions

Hello, young explorers! Have you ever wondered how pirates find hidden treasure or how we know the way to school? They use directions! In this chapter, we're going to become Direction Detectives. You'll learn how to describe where things are and how to find your way using North, South, East, and West. It’s a very important skill for reading maps and going on adventures!


First, Let's Talk About Basic Positions

Before we use a map, we need to know simple words to say where things are. These are words you probably use every day!

Imagine you are sitting at your desk. Where is your book? Where is your pencil?

    • Is it to your left or your right?

    A fun trick: Hold up both hands in front of you with your thumbs out. Your left hand makes an 'L' shape!

    • Is the ceiling over your head or under your feet?

    • Is the whiteboard in front of you or behind you?

    • If you have a friend on each side of you, you are between them!

Key Takeaway

Words like left, right, over, under, in front of, behind, and between help us describe the position of objects compared to ourselves.


The Four Main Directions: North, South, East, and West

Now for the big adventure! The four main directions are like the superstars of a map. They are called the cardinal directions.

They are:

    • North (N)

    • South (S)

    • East (E)

    • West (W)

A great way to remember them is to think about the sun. The sun always rises in the East and sets in the West. If you face the sunrise (East), North will be to your left and South will be to your right!

A Fun Memory Trick!

To remember the directions in order, just remember this silly sentence. Imagine them going around in a circle, like on a clock!

Never Eat Soggy Waffles

N stands for North
E stands for East
S stands for South
W stands for West

Key Takeaway

The four main directions are North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W). They are fixed directions that help everyone know which way to go.


Using a Compass

So, how do we find North if the sun is hiding behind the clouds? We use a special tool called a compass!

A compass has a needle that is like a little magnet. No matter which way you turn, one end of the needle (it's often coloured red) will always, always, always point to the North. It’s like magic!

How to Use a Compass: Step-by-Step

1. Hold the compass flat in the palm of your hand. Don't tilt it!

2. Watch the needle spin. Wait for it to stop moving.

3. The red end of the needle is now pointing North.

4. Gently turn the compass housing (the circle with the letters on it) so the letter 'N' is right under the red needle.

5. Hooray! You can now see where all the other directions are. If you face North, East is to your right, West is to your left, and South is behind you.

Did you know?

For thousands of years, sailors and explorers have used compasses to navigate across huge oceans and discover new lands. The compass is one of the most important inventions in history!

Key Takeaway

A compass is a super helpful tool that uses a magnetic needle to show us which way is North. Once we know where North is, we can find all the other directions.


Mixing it Up: The In-Between Directions

Sometimes, the direction you need to go isn't exactly North or exactly East. It's somewhere in the middle! These are called intermediate directions.

Don't worry, they are very easy to understand. They are just a mix of the two directions they are between!

    • The direction between North and East is Northeast (NE).

    • The direction between South and East is Southeast (SE).

    • The direction between South and West is Southwest (SW).

    • The direction between North and West is Northwest (NW).

Example: Imagine you are on a treasure hunt. The map says, "From the tall tree, walk Southwest to find the hidden chest!" You would need to walk in the direction that is exactly between South and West.

Quick Review!

The four intermediate directions and their short forms are:

NE - Northeast
SE - Southeast
SW - Southwest
NW - Northwest

Remember, we always say North or South first!

Key Takeaway

The four intermediate directions (NE, SE, SW, NW) help us be more precise. They describe the directions that are in between the four cardinal points.


You're a Direction Detective!

Amazing work! You've learned all about directions. You started with simple positions like left and right, discovered the four main directions, learned how to use a magical compass, and even mastered the tricky in-between directions.

Now you have the skills to read a map, give clear directions to a friend, and understand the world around you in a whole new way. Keep exploring!