Lesson 20: Directions

For Grade 5 Students (Ages 10-11) - Let's learn to find our way!

What we will learn today:

In this lesson, you will learn to:

  • Identify the four main cardinal directions: North, East, South, West.
  • Identify the four intermediate directions: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest.
  • Use directions to describe locations and movements on a map or in real life.
  • Understand how a compass works.

Introduction to Directions

Hello, young mathematicians! Have you ever tried to give someone directions to your house, or followed directions to a new place? Understanding **directions** is very important for finding our way around and describing locations.

Directions help us know where things are relative to each other. We use special terms like North, South, East, and West to describe these directions.

Let's learn how to use directions like a pro!

Cardinal Directions

There are four main **cardinal directions**:

  • **North (N):** Usually at the top of a map.
  • **East (E):** To the right of North on a map. The sun rises in the East.
  • **South (S):** Opposite of North, usually at the bottom of a map.
  • **West (W):** To the left of North on a map. The sun sets in the West.

The Compass Rose

A compass rose helps us visualize these directions:

N
E
S
W

Intermediate Directions

Between the main cardinal directions, there are four **intermediate directions**:

  • **Northeast (NE):** Between North and East.
  • **Southeast (SE):** Between South and East.
  • **Southwest (SW):** Between South and West.
  • **Northwest (NW):** Between North and West.

Full Compass Rose

NW
N
NE
W
E
SW
S
SE

Exercise 1: Fill in the missing directions.

If you face North, what is behind you?

If the sun rises in the East, what direction is to your left if you face the rising sun?

What direction is halfway between South and West?

Using Directions in Real Life

Directions are used in many ways:

  • To give and follow instructions (e.g., "Go straight, then turn left").
  • To read maps and find locations.
  • To understand weather patterns (e.g., "wind is blowing from the West").

Exercise 2: Answer the questions based on a simple map (imagine a grid).

Imagine a small town grid. Your house is at the center. The school is North of your house. The park is East of your house. The shop is South of your house. The library is West of your house.

  1. From your house, in which direction is the school?

  2. If you walk from the school to the shop, in which direction are you moving?

  3. The post office is between the school and the park. In which intermediate direction is the post office from your house?

Answers to Practice Time

Let's check your answers!

  1. Exercise 1: Fill in the missing directions.

    • 1. South
    • 2. North (If you face East, North is to your left)
    • 3. Southwest

  2. Exercise 2: Answer the questions based on a simple map.

    • 1. North
    • 2. South
    • 3. Northeast

You've completed Lesson 20!

Excellent work, Math Lanka students! You've learned about cardinal and intermediate directions and how to use them to navigate and describe locations. This skill will help you find your way in the world!

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