Giving and following multi-step directions using compass points and turns.
Where your child meets this in real life: Giving directions to locations, treasure hunts, orienteering
SEAGReady breaks give and follow directions into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
supporting lesson — excluded from official-format mocks
Follow one cardinal or intermediate compass direction on a north-up grid map and identify the destination
supporting lesson — excluded from official-format mocks
Follow a sequence of compass directions one instruction at a time and track the final position
supporting lesson — excluded from official-format mocks
Compose and check clear compass directions from a stated start to a destination on a grid map
Three free sample questions from our give and follow directions course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Alfie is at the bus stop looking at a map. The sweet shop is marked directly south of the bus stop. If Alfie walks south from the bus stop, where will he arrive?
Aaron is doing a treasure hunt. He starts at the big tree and follows these directions: Go east 2 squares, then go south 1 square. The pond is at that location. Where does Aaron end up?
Megan wants to tell her friend how to get from the school to the shop. The shop is 3 squares east of the school. What directions should Megan give?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Alice is at the school gate looking at a map. The library is marked directly north of the school.
If Alice walks north from the school, where will she arrive?
School + North = ?
Alice starts at the school gate
Step 1 of 2
Alice is at the school gate looking at a map. The library is marked directly north of the school.
If Alice walks north from the school, where will she arrive?
Alice will arrive at the library.
The key insight: On a standard north-up map, go north by moving towards the top of the map.
Common mix-up: Thinking north depends on which way you are facing. Use the map's north arrow or north-up convention rather than the direction your body happens to face.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in give and follow directions, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with give and follow directions? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.
Free to start · no card needed