🧭 Travel, Directions and Maps

What your child will learn

• Students will identify the four main directions (north, south, east, west) using the sun and simple clues, and describe the location of objects relative to themselves using left, right, and the four directions.
• Students will read a simple map of the school or neighbourhood using a key and symbols, and describe the route from one place to another using directions and landmarks.
• Students will draw a simple map of a familiar place (classroom, school, or home-to-school route) using symbols and a key, with correct relative positions.
• Students will identify common map signs (e.g., school, hospital, railway station, bus stop, park, temple) and explain what they mean.
• Students will describe different ways of travelling (walk, bus, train, cycle, boat) and state one safety rule for each, and explain why people travel to new places.

Lessons in this unit

1. Left, Right and the Four Directions: Using the child's own body to identify left and right, then introducing the four main directions (north, south, east, west) using the sun as a reference: the sun rises in the east, so facing the rising sun, north is to your left and south is to your right.
2. Reading Simple Maps: Understanding that a map is a drawing of a place from above, using symbols and a key. Reading a simple map of the school or neighbourhood: identifying places, following a route with directions (north, south, left, right) and landmarks.
3. Drawing Simple Maps: Drawing a simple map of a familiar place (classroom, school, or home-to-school route) using symbols and a key. Emphasizing correct relative positions (e.g., the door is on the left, the blackboard is on the north wall).
4. Map Signs and Symbols: Common map signs and symbols used in the neighbourhood: school, hospital, railway station, bus stop, park, temple, post office, police station. Understanding that the key explains what each symbol means.
5. Travelling and Safety: Different ways of travelling (walk, cycle, bus, train, boat) and why people travel (to visit family, for work, for school, for pilgrimage). Safety rules for each mode: look both ways before crossing, wear a helmet on a cycle, hold the handrail on a bus, do not put your head out of a train window, wear a life jacket on a boat.

Key words

direction

The way something is, like left, right, north, south, east, west.

north

The direction towards the North Pole; the sun rises in the east, so north is to your left when you face the rising sun.

south

The direction opposite to north; if you face the rising sun, south is to your right.

east

The direction where the sun rises in the morning.

west

The direction where the sun sets in the evening.

map

A drawing of a place from above, like a bird's eye view, showing where things are.

symbol

A small picture or mark on a map that stands for a real thing, like a tree or a school.

key

A list on a map that tells you what each symbol means.

landmark

A big or special thing you can see on the way, like a temple, a big tree, or a bridge, that helps you know where you are.

route

The path you take to go from one place to another.

Help your child at home

What to watch for

The sun always rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west, and it is always exactly east at noon.

Help: The sun rises roughly in the east and sets roughly in the west. At noon, the sun is roughly in the south (in India). For our maps, we use the simple rule.

A map is a picture of a place as you see it from the side.

Help: A map is drawn as if you are looking down from above, like a bird flying high. That is why you see the tops of things.

A map must be drawn exactly to scale, or it is wrong.

Help: For a simple map, we just need to show where things are relative to each other. We do not need exact measurements.

All map signs are the same all over the world.

Help: Different places may use different signs. Always check the key on the map to know what a sign means.

Try this at home

• Riya stands facing the rising sun. Which direction is to her left? (North)
• Meera looks at the school map. The library is north of the playground. Which symbol shows the library?
• Kabir draws his classroom: the door is on the east wall, the blackboard is on the north wall. Where should he put the desks?
• Match the symbol to the place: a cross means hospital, a bus means bus stop.

Quick questions to ask aloud

1. The sun rises in the ____. (east / west / north)
   Show answer

   Every morning, the sun comes up in the east.
2. Which is a safe action while travelling? (Wearing a helmet on a cycle / Putting your head out of a bus window / Running across the road)
   Show answer

   Wearing a helmet on a cycle. A helmet protects your head if you fall. The other actions are unsafe.
3. Arjun stands facing the rising sun. Which direction is to his left? (north / south / west)
   Show answer

   When you face the east, north is on your left and south is on your right.

Parent guide: how to help your child with Class 4 EVS

Frequently asked questions

What will my child learn in "Travel, Directions and Maps" (Class 4 EVS)?

Your child will be able to: Students will identify the four main directions (north, south, east, west) using the sun and simple clues, and describe the location of objects relative to themselves using left, right, and the four directions.; Students will read a simple map of the school or neighbourhood using a key and symbols, and describe the route from one place to another using directions and landmarks.; Students will draw a simple map of a familiar place (classroom, school, or home-to-school route) using symbols and a key, with correct relative positions.; Students will identify common map signs (e.g., school, hospital, railway station, bus stop, park, temple) and explain what they mean.; Students will describe different ways of travelling (walk, bus, train, cycle, boat) and state one safety rule for each, and explain why people travel to new places..

How does MangoMindz teach "Travel, Directions and Maps"?

In 5 short parts (Left, Right and the Four Directions, Reading Simple Maps, Drawing Simple Maps, Map Signs and Symbols, Travelling and Safety). Each part has a picture-based lesson read aloud by Mango Teacher, a quick check, and a quiz built from common mistakes children make, with Mango, a study buddy, for questions.

How long does "Travel, Directions and Maps" take?

About 120 minutes in total, spread over 5 parts of 15–25 minutes each.

How can I help my child with "Travel, Directions and Maps" at home?

Work through a small example together, such as: Riya stands facing the rising sun. Which direction is to her left? (North); Meera looks at the school map. The library is north of the playground. Which symbol shows the library?. Then ask a quick question aloud: The sun rises in the ____. (east / west / north)

What mistakes do children often make in "Travel, Directions and Maps"?

The sun always rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west, and it is always exactly east at noon. Fix: The sun rises roughly in the east and sets roughly in the west. At noon, the sun is roughly in the south (in India). For our maps, we use the simple rule. A map is a picture of a place as you see it from the side. Fix: A map is drawn as if you are looking down from above, like a bird flying high. That is why you see the tops of things. A map must be drawn exactly to scale, or it is wrong. Fix: For a simple map, we just need to show where things are relative to each other. We do not need exact measurements.

Is "Travel, Directions and Maps" free on MangoMindz?

Yes. Every lesson part and quiz in "Travel, Directions and Maps" is free on MangoMindz, with no ads.