For the past few weeks I’ve been working with some Year 1 pupils on compass points, directions and map work. We started out making our own ‘compasses’ from cardboard and using real compasses we added in the four cardinal points of the compass – N.S.E.W. and orientated them correctly.
We drew round these with chalk outside (remembering to orientate them with the real compasses) and turned the large painted target on the yard into a ‘MEGA COMPASS’! with not just N.S.E.W. but four sub-ordinal points NE, SE, SW, NW. We then played games – lining up N to S, SE to NW, boys to S girls to N etc.
Next we investigated some Ordnance Survey maps and compared ones showing city areas with ones showing rural locations and talked about the differences. We looked at the key and symbols. We looked at a map of the British Isles and located our school’s city on the map of England.
Looking at an aerial photograph of the school we focused in on the KS1 yard and decided to map it out. We explored the boundaries, noted objects and drew a rough map. We then tweaked the drafts, agreed our symbols and drew a finished version.
The children really enjoyed looking at their yard from a new perspective and if nothing else will always the remember the ditty – ‘Never Eat Shredded Wheat’ to remember the cardinal points of a compass!