What is this skill?
A map is a drawing of a place from above, and it comes with tools for reading it. The compass rose shows directions, with north usually at the top, south at the bottom, east on the right and west on the left. The map key, or legend, tells what each symbol stands for. A grid uses letters across and numbers down so you can name a spot like B3, and a scale tells how map distances match real ones.
In this practice a child answers "On a compass rose, which direction is usually at the top?" (north) and "Which direction is opposite of north?" (south). Questions about keys show a small map key with a tree for a park, a school and a hospital and ask what a symbol stands for. Grid questions give a short description, such as columns A, B and C across the top and rows 1, 2 and 3 down the side, and ask for a grid square like B3, or ask which place is in square D1. Others ask which direction the park is from the school, what is halfway between north and east (northeast), which direction is on your right when you face north (east), what a map scale tells you (real distances), what a globe is a model of (Earth) and what blue areas on most maps show (water).
Why it matters
Map reading is a central social studies skill, and it is also a thinking skill. The child has to take information from a picture, a key and a set of directions and put it together, which is the same work as reading a chart or diagram.
It makes the world feel bigger and more connected. A child who can find a place on a map and describe how to get there is building an understanding of geography that will help in history, science and later in navigation.
It also encourages independence. A child who can find the exit on a mall map or trace a route on a trail map is learning to find their own way.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up east and west. A reliable trick is to face north: east is on your right and west is on your left.
- Reading the grid in the wrong order. Say the column letter first and the row number second, so B3 is column B, row 3.
- Ignoring the key. A symbol like a tree can look like a forest or a park, and only the key tells which one the mapmaker means.
- Thinking the direction at the top of a map is always north. North is usually at the top, but the compass rose is the thing to check.
How to help at home
- Draw a map of your living room or backyard together. Add a compass rose, a key with three symbols and a simple grid.
- On a drive or walk, ask "Which direction are we heading?" and check with a phone compass. Point out which way the sun rises.
- Hide a small treasure and give grid clues, such as "It is in C2." Let your child do the same for you.
- Look at a map of a zoo, park or museum before you go and ask your child to plan the route, using the key.
Worked examples
These are real questions from the Tutorsaurus maps and directions practice, with the answers worked out.
Example 1
What does 🏫 stand for on this map?
Map key: 🌲 = Park 🏫 = School 🏥 = Hospital
Choices: Park, School, Hospital
Answer: School. The key says 🏫 means school.
Example 2
Direction or map symbol?
To sort: North, 🏥 Hospital, East, 🌲 Forest, West, ⛺ Campsite
Answer: Compass direction: North, East, West · Map key symbol: Hospital, Forest, Campsite. North, east and west are compass directions. Hospital, forest and campsite are symbols a map key explains.
Example 3
Blue areas on most maps usually show ___.
Choices: Water, Roads, Forests
Answer: Water. Mapmakers usually color water blue. Green often means parks or forests.
Printable worksheet (PDF) — one page of questions from this practice that work on paper, easier ones first, with an answer key on page 2. Free to print, no sign-up.