Map Navigator Slides Map Masters
Exploring the United States of America
Geography 101 Module One
The Compass Rose
A compass rose displays the orientation of the cardinal directions .
Cardinal: N, S, E, W
Intermediate: NE, SE, NW, SW
N
S
W
E
Fifty States, One Nation
State Capitals
Every state has a capital city . On most maps, a capital is shown with a star symbol or a dot with a circle.
Border Lines
States are separated by borders . Some are straight lines, while others follow natural features like rivers.
How do we navigate?
1
Identify Your Location
Find where you are currently standing on the map.
2
Locate the Destination
Find the state or city you want to travel toward.
3
Check the Compass Rose
See which direction points from start to finish.
Adventure Awaits
Grab your maps and your compasses. It's time to become a Map Master!
Identify
Locate
Navigate
Map Legend Poster The Map Legend
Essential Tools for Every Explorer
Compass Rose
N
S
W
E
NE
SE
NW
SW
Directional Tool
Common Symbols
State Capital
Where the state government is located.
Major City
A large or important population center.
State Border
The line separating two different states.
Bodies of Water
Lakes, rivers, and oceans.
"A map is the greatest of all epic poems. Its lines and colors show the realization of great dreams."
State Spotter Worksheet State Spotter
Identifying States & Capitals
Name:
Date:
1
Capital Match-Up
Draw a line to match each state on the left with its correct capital city on the right.
Texas
California
New York
Florida
Colorado
Tallahassee
Sacramento
Denver
Austin
Albany
2
The Great States
Read the description and write the name of the state it describes.
1. This state is known as the "Sunshine State" and is located in the Southeast corner of the USA.
2. This is the largest state by land area, but it is not connected to the main "Lower 48" states.
3. This western state is home to the Grand Canyon and has Phoenix as its capital city.
3
Home Base
Your Home State
Its Capital City
Compass Quest Worksheet Compass Quest
Mastering Directions on the Map
Name:
Date:
1
Label the Compass Rose
Fill in the boxes with the correct cardinal (N, S, E, W) and intermediate (NE, SE, NW, SW) directions.
2
Which Way?
Imagine you are looking at a map of the United States. Solve these directional riddles!
1. If you are in **California** and you want to travel to the **Atlantic Ocean**, which cardinal direction would you head?
2. If you are traveling from **Florida** directly to **Georgia**, in which direction are you moving?
3. If you move from **Texas** to **Maine**, which intermediate direction are you most likely traveling?
Navigator Key Teacher Resource Navigator Key
Teacher Reference & Answer Guide
Teacher Only
State Spotter Worksheet Answers
Part 1: Match-Up
Texas Austin
California Sacramento
New York Albany
Florida Tallahassee
Colorado Denver
Part 2: Identifications
1. Sunshine State / Southeast
Florida
2. Largest State / Not Lower 48
Alaska
3. Grand Canyon / Phoenix
Arizona
Compass Quest Worksheet Answers
Part 1: Compass Rose
Ensure students have placed N (North) at the top and S (South) at the bottom. E (East) is on the right and W (West) is on the left.
Top-Right: Northeast (NE)
Bottom-Right: Southeast (SE)
Top-Left: Northwest (NW)
Bottom-Left: Southwest (SW)
Part 2: Which Way?
Instructional Tips
Memory Mnemonics
For cardinal directions: "N ever E at S oggy W affles" or "N ever E at S our W heat". This helps students remember the clockwise order: N, E, S, W.
Map Symbols
Explain that symbols can vary by map, but the "star" for a capital city is a universal convention. Encourage students to always check the Legend or Key before reading any map.
