🧭 Maps and Directions

What your child will learn

• Students will identify the four main directions (North, South, East, West) and locate them in their surroundings using the Sun and a compass.
• Students will explain what a map is and use a simple scale to estimate distances between places on a map.
• Students will recognise common map symbols (road, river, railway, forest, school, hospital) and use them to read a simple map.
• Students will locate states and important places on a map of India and describe a route using directions.

Lessons in this unit

1. The Four Directions: Learn the four main directions: North, South, East, West. Use the Sun to find East (sunrise) and West (sunset), then find North and South. Use a compass to confirm. Practice pointing to directions from the classroom and from home.
2. What is a Map?: Understand that a map is a drawing of a place from above (bird's eye view). Compare a map with a picture. Learn that maps use symbols and a scale to show real places. Look at a simple map of a classroom or school.
3. Map Symbols: Learn common map symbols: road (line), river (blue wavy line), railway (line with ticks), forest (tree symbol), school (small building with flag), hospital (cross). Use symbols to read a simple map and answer questions.
4. Scale and Distance: Understand that maps are smaller than the real place. Use a scale to find real distances. Practice measuring with a ruler on a simple map and converting using the scale.
5. Reading a Map of India: Use a simple map of India to locate states and important cities. Learn to read directions on the map (North is up). Describe a route from one place to another using directions.

Key words

direction

The way something is facing or the way you go, like North, South, East or West.

compass

A small tool with a needle that always points to the North, helping us find directions.

map

A drawing of a place from above, like a bird's eye view, showing roads, rivers and buildings.

scale

A rule on a map that tells how much real distance is shown by a small length on the map, like 1 cm = 1 km.

symbol

A small picture or sign on a map that stands for a real thing, like a blue line for a river.

route

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

state

A part of India with its own government, like Rajasthan or Kerala.

border

The line that separates one state or country from another.

Help your child at home

What to watch for

The Sun always rises exactly in the East and sets exactly in the West.

Help: The Sun rises roughly in the East and sets roughly in the West, but not exactly on the same spot every day. For finding directions, it is close enough.

A map is the same as a picture.

Help: A map is a special drawing from above, like a bird flying high. It shows where things are in relation to each other.

All lines on a map are roads.

Help: Different lines mean different things: a blue wavy line is a river, a line with ticks is a railway, and a plain line is a road.

The distance on the map is the same as the real distance.

Help: Maps are much smaller than the real place. The scale tells you how much smaller.

Try this at home

• Riya faces the rising Sun. Which direction is to her right? (South)
• Look at a picture of a park and a map of the same park: which one shows the whole park from above?
• Which symbol shows a hospital on a printed map? (a red cross)
• On a map, the distance between two villages is 4 cm. The scale says 1 cm = 1 km. What is the real distance? (4 km)

Quick questions to ask aloud

1. In the morning, the Sun rises in which direction? (East / West / North / South)
   Show answer

   The Sun rises in the East every morning. That is why we call it the sunrise.
2. Why do maps have a scale? (To show how much smaller the map is than the real place / To make the map look pretty / To show the direction of the wind / To tell the time)
   Show answer

   To show how much smaller the map is than the real place. The scale tells us the relationship between distances on the map and real distances.
3. Which direction is the Himalayas from most of India? (North / South / East / West)
   Show answer

   North. The Himalayas are in the northern part of India.

Parent guide: how to help your child with Class 5 EVS

Frequently asked questions

What will my child learn in "Maps and Directions" (Class 5 EVS)?

Your child will be able to: Students will identify the four main directions (North, South, East, West) and locate them in their surroundings using the Sun and a compass.; Students will explain what a map is and use a simple scale to estimate distances between places on a map.; Students will recognise common map symbols (road, river, railway, forest, school, hospital) and use them to read a simple map.; Students will locate states and important places on a map of India and describe a route using directions..

How does MangoMindz teach "Maps and Directions"?

In 5 short parts (The Four Directions, What is a Map?, Map Symbols, Scale and Distance, Reading a Map of India). 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 "Maps and Directions" take?

About 150 minutes in total, spread over 5 parts of 15–25 minutes each.

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

Work through a small example together, such as: Riya faces the rising Sun. Which direction is to her right? (South); Look at a picture of a park and a map of the same park: which one shows the whole park from above?. Then ask a quick question aloud: In the morning, the Sun rises in which direction? (East / West / North / South)

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

The Sun always rises exactly in the East and sets exactly in the West. Fix: The Sun rises roughly in the East and sets roughly in the West, but not exactly on the same spot every day. For finding directions, it is close enough. A map is the same as a picture. Fix: A map is a special drawing from above, like a bird flying high. It shows where things are in relation to each other. All lines on a map are roads. Fix: Different lines mean different things: a blue wavy line is a river, a line with ticks is a railway, and a plain line is a road.

Is "Maps and Directions" free on MangoMindz?

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