Texas TEKS 3.4.A

Social Studies3rd GradeGeography

The Standard

use cardinal and intermediate directions to locate places on maps and globes in relation to the local community

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students use north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest to describe where places are. They compare each place with their community as the reference point.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can find the local community on a map or globe, then name the direction to another place. The student can also follow a direction to identify a location.
Common Misconceptions: Students may confuse east and west or treat directions like left and right. They may also name a direction without checking which place is the reference point.
How to Assess It: Give students a Texas map with the community and four cities marked. Ask them to write the direction from the community to each city.

Lesson moves

Place a compass rose on the floor, then have students stand where nearby towns would be in relation to the school.
Show a state map and ask, "Which place is northeast of our community, and what map evidence supports your answer?"
Play Direction Match by having students pair place cards with north, south, east, west, or intermediate direction cards.
Use a weather map to describe where storms, colder air, or rain are located in relation to the local community.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.4.A, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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