Cardinal Directions/Activity Starter

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

1, 2

Overview

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, students learn about cardinal directions and complete an interesting hands-on activity. This video is part of Activity Starters, which is an animated video series. In each episode, an animated character introduces a concept and an activity

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 1

SS10.1.8

Identify land masses, bodies of water, and other physical features on maps and globes.

UP:SS10.1.8

Vocabulary

  • identify
  • create
  • use
  • land masses
  • bodies of water
  • physical features
  • cardinal directions
  • compass rose
  • nonstandard measurement
  • distance
  • geographical features

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The differences in land masses, bodies of water, and other physical features on maps and globes.
  • The use of cardinal directions and the compass rose.
  • Techniques for using nonstandard measurement.
  • Vocabulary: land masses, bodies of water, physical features, cardinal directions, compass rose, nonstandard measurement, distance, geographical features

Skills

Student are able to:
  • Identify land masses, bodies of water, and other physical features on maps and globes.
  • State the purpose and use of cardinal directions and compass rose.
  • Identify nonstandard measurement.
  • Use nonstandard measurement for locating distances.
  • Use vocabulary that relates to geographical features (for example, river, lake, ocean, and mountain).

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Land masses, bodies of water, and physical features can be identified on maps and globes.
  • Cardinal directions and the compass rose help us read maps.
  • Nonstandard measurements can be used to find distance.
  • There is an appropriate vocabulary to describe geographical features.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 2

SS10.2.6

Identify states, continents, oceans, and the equator using maps, globes, and technology.

UP:SS10.2.6

Vocabulary

  • states
  • continents
  • oceans
  • equator
  • intermediate directions
  • recognize
  • virtual globe
  • satellite images
  • radar
  • locate
  • points on a grid

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Differences among the ways maps, globes, and technological resources represent Earth and portions of the Earth.
  • Location of states, continents, oceans, equator, and other physical and man-made geographic features. Intermediate directions.
  • Vocabulary: states, continents, oceans, equator, map, globe, title, legend, compass rose, scale, virtual globe, satellite image, radar, northeast, southeast, northwest, southwest

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use maps, globes, and technological resources.
  • Locate states, continents, oceans, the equator, and other geographic features.
  • Locate map elements and use them effectively.
  • Use intermediate directions to describe location.
  • Locate points on a grid.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Maps, globes, and geographic technology resources are representations of a variety of geographic features.

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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