Geography · Grades K–4

Maps & places · Quick reference

Reference sheet for Kindergarten to Grade 4: 4 key ideas, including position words, reading a map and compass turns. Position words tell where things are.

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Rule and key idea

Position words

Position words tell where things are. Turn the sentence around: if the cat is above the box, the box is below the cat.

above ↔ below · left ↔ right · in front ↔ behind

The cat is below the car. Is the car above or below the cat? → above

Reading a map

Check the title, the legend (key), the compass rose and the scale before you read a map.

legend · compass rose · scale

Which direction is halfway between south and west? → southwest

Compass turns

Picture yourself turning. A quarter turn to the right moves north to east, east to south, south to west and west to north.

right turn: N → E → S → W → N

You face south. You turn left, then right, then left. Each turn is a quarter turn. Which direction do you face now? → east

Continents and oceans

Earth’s land is divided into continents, and its salt water into five oceans. Countries are found on continents.

7 continents · 5 oceans

On which continent is Canada? → North America

Check yourself

Four practice questions on this topic. Try each one before you open the answer.

Which statement is most cautious about one photograph of a valley?
- It proves every detail of its formation.
- It gives its exact age automatically.
- It shows the shape, but more evidence may be needed to infer its history.
- It proves no erosion occurred.
Show the answer
It shows the shape, but more evidence may be needed to infer its history. Current appearance alone is limited historical evidence.
You face west. You turn right, then left, then right. Each turn is a quarter turn. Which direction do you face now?
- south
- north
- west
- east
Show the answer
north Start west and follow each turn: you end facing north.
On one map-grid row, move from column 7 to column 14. Each step is 15 km. How many km is the journey?
Show the answer
105 km (14 − 7) × 15 = 105
Which one is a continent: North America or France?
- North America
- France
Show the answer
North America North America is a continent; France is a country.