Park Pathfinders Teacher Guide Lesson Plan & Instructor Guide
PARK PATHFINDERS
Navigating Coaster Kingdom with Compass Directions
Grade Level 5th Grade
Duration 60 Minutes
Core Topic Cardinal & Intermediate Directions
Theme Amusement Park Navigation
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Identify and describe the 4 cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and 4 intermediate directions (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest).Apply direction-finding skills to navigate an amusement park map accurately using landmarks.Formulate precise routes and orient paths using absolute and relative orientation.
STANDARDS ALIGNMENT
NCSS Theme III (People, Places, & Environments): Use spatial views and geographic tools (maps, globes, compasses) to make decisions and organize information.
STEP-BY-STEP TIMELINE
00-10 Min
Warm-Up: The Dizzy Coaster Quest
Distribute student map. Guide students through a fast-paced interactive verbal warm-up where they stand up, face physical classroom directions (designated with cards), and spin on standard "cardinal" cues. Transitions to intermediate directions easily.
10-25 Min
Direct Instruction: Deciphering the Compass Rose
Present the interactive slides. Focus on "Never Eat Soggy Waffles" mnemonic. Expand into the "in-between" directions (NE, NW, SE, SW). Model tracking paths on the map projection: starting at the Park Entrance and moving to the Wave Pool.
25-45 Min
Guided & Independent Activity: Park Pathfinder Packet
Students work individually or in pairs to complete Part 1 & 2 of the student worksheet packet. Teacher circulates, using the guided prompts (see Page 2) to correct spatial misconceptions.
Coaster Kingdom Curriculum Bundle • Social Studies Grade 5 Page 1 of 2
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES & ROTATIONS
Structuring student flow, cooperative learning, and assessment
Station Rotations (45-55 Min)
Organize small group stations. Place Task Cards at each station. Students use their pocket map to answer context-rich narrative questions (e.g., helping a lost mascot or charting clean paths around closed rides).
Time Limit: 2.5 min per card
Assessment & Closure (55-60 Min)
Distribute the Exit Ticket . Students independently complete three pathway navigation questions without peer support. Collect to gauge master levels of cardinal vs. intermediate directions.
GUIDED QUESTIONS & SCAFFOLDING
To Support: "If you stand at the carousel and walk up towards the top of the map, which direction is that? Right, that's North! Now, what if you walk towards the top and the right at the same time?"
To Challenge: "If a roller coaster breaks down, requiring you to steer completely clear of the eastern side, design a route from the entrance to the log flume utilizing only intermediate steps."
MASTER ANSWER KEY
Worksheet Packet Answers
Map Labels: 1-North, 2-South, 3-East, 4-West, 5-Northeast, 6-Southeast, 7-Southwest, 8-Northwest.Scavenger Hunt: Carousel to Dino Land = Northwest . Ferris Wheel to Food Court = North . Southeast from Water Slide = Coaster Loop .Mascot Route: Haunted House to Carousel = Northwest . Carousel to Entrance = South .
Rotation Task Cards Key (8 Cards)
Card A: Walks Southwest from Dino Land to Ice Cream.Card B: Go Northeast to Coaster Loop, then Northwest to Food court.Card C: Park Entrance is Southwest of Haunted House.Card D: Dino Land to Carousel = Southeast .Card E: Haunted House to Carousel = Northwest .Card F: Log Flume to Water Slide = West .Card G: Food Court to Gift Shop = Southeast .Card H: Carousel to Ferris Wheel = Southwest .
MISCONCEPTION ALERT
Students often struggle with relative perspective (e.g. "To the East of the Ferris Wheel" means looking at the Ferris Wheel and heading East, NOT looking at the page as a whole from the starting point). Ensure they always place their pencil directly on the "Start" landmark.
Coaster Kingdom Curriculum Bundle • Social Studies Grade 5 Page 2 of 2
Park Pathfinders Slides Coaster Kingdom Academy
PARK PATHFINDERS
Mastering Cardinal & Intermediate Directions through the thrills of Coaster Kingdom Map Navigation!
Social Studies • 5th Grade Press Next to Begin
The Compass Rose
Part 1: Cardinal
N S E W
The 4 Cardinal Directions
Cardinal directions are the main four paths on a compass. They guide us across the globe, maps, and amusement parks!
💡
Never Eat Soggy Waffles!
Read them clockwise starting from the top:N orth, E ast, S outh, W est!
Coaster Kingdom Navigation Slides Slide 2 of 5
Intermediate Directions
Part 2: In-Between
Filling in the Gaps
Sometimes, a rollercoaster isn't straight North or East—it's right in the middle! We combine cardinal directions to get intermediate directions.
Northeast (NE) Between North and East
Northwest (NW) Between North and West
Southeast (SE) Between South and East
Southwest (SW) Between South and West
N S E W NE NW SE SW
Coaster Kingdom Navigation Slides Slide 3 of 5
The Navigator's Rule
How to Track Paths
Walkthrough Example
1
Start at the Carousel (center point)
2
Look towards the Log Flume (top right)
3
You must walk NORTHEAST!
Always Establish Your Start
Directions are relative to where you start. If you are standing at the Entrance (bottom of the map) and walking toward the Carousel:
🐾 You are traveling NORTH! 🐾
Coaster Kingdom Navigation Slides Slide 4 of 5
Coaster Kingdom Quest!
Guided Practice
Interactive Challenge Questions
Let's test your compass skills using the class map projection! Turn and discuss with a shoulder partner:
Challenge 1
You are at the Water Slide . The giant Ferris Wheel is directly below you on the map. What direction must you run?
Challenge 2
You've just exited the Rollercoaster Loop (East) and want to get a snack at the Food Court (Northwest). Which way leads to snacks?
Park Pathfinders Worksheet Packet CO-OP KINGDOM MAP
Use this park map to complete your pathfinding mission!
Name: ____________________________
Date: __________________ Class: ______
🗺️ COASTER KINGDOM OFFICIAL PARK BROCHURE
Blue Lake
🌲🌲🌲
🌸🌸
🦖
Dino Land
🌊
Water Slide
🪵
Log Flume
🍔
Food Court
🎢
Coaster Loop
🎠
The Carousel
★ PARK CENTER ★
🍦
Ice Cream
👻
Haunted House
🎡
Ferris Wheel
🎟️
Park Entrance
🛍️
Gift Shop
N S E W NE NW SE SW
Navigator's Trail Guide
Attractions are linked by walking trail lines. Position your pencil directly on a start attraction, align with the compass direction rules, and map your path!
Compass Practice Tip
The top of the park is always North (N) . The right side is East (E) . Diagonals combine the markers (like North and East for Northeast).
Coaster Kingdom Curriculum Bundle • Social Studies Grade 5 Page 1 of 2
DIRECTIONS CHALLENGE
Test your map-reading skills with these Coaster Kingdom pathways
Part 2: Practice
Part 1: Master the Compass Rose
Complete the unlabeled compass directions. Write the correct abbreviation in the matching slot:
1 (North) 2 (South) 3 4 5 8 6 7
1. North
5. ________________
2. South
6. ________________
3. ________________
7. ________________
4. ________________
8. ________________
Part 2: Kingdom Scavenger Hunt
Refer back to the map on Page 1 to track down these directional paths:
Start at the Carousel and walk towards Dino Land . Which direction did you walk?
Stand at the Ferris Wheel . To travel to the Food Court , what direction must you go?
If you walk Southeast from the Water Slide , which ride do you reach?
Part 3: Mascot Rescue Route!
Park Pathfinders Task Cards NAVIGATION TASK CARDS
Classroom Station Rotations • Cards A - D
Cut along dotted lines
Station Route A
The Mascot's Treat Run
"Coaster Cat" finished his performance at Dino Land . He wants to purchase a cold snack at the Ice Cream Shack .
👉 What direction does Coaster Cat walk to get to the Ice Cream Shack?
Card A • Coaster Kingdom Use Student Map
Station Route B
The Fast-Pass Dash
Maya starts at the Carousel and runs to the Coaster Loop . After riding it, she heads straight to the Food Court .
👉 List the two steps of Maya's path: First direction, then second direction.
Card B • Coaster Kingdom Use Student Map
Station Route C
The Haunted Portal
A lost group of tourists is trying to find the Haunted House . They just checked their park maps at the Park Entrance .
👉 What direction from the Park Entrance is the Haunted House located?
Card C • Coaster Kingdom Use Student Map
Station Route D
Maintenance Emergency
A park technician is fixing animatronics at Dino Land . Suddenly, the central Carousel has an emergency power stall!
👉 What direction must the technician travel to reach the Carousel?
Card D • Coaster Kingdom Use Student Map
Coaster Kingdom Curriculum Bundle • Social Studies Grade 5 Page 1 of 2
NAVIGATION TASK CARDS
Classroom Station Rotations • Cards E - H
Cut along dotted lines
Station Route E
The Haunted Escape
You just survived the Haunted House ! You need to walk directly to the central Carousel to meet your class.
👉 What intermediate direction leads from the Haunted House to the Carousel?
Card E • Coaster Kingdom Use Student Map
Station Route F
The Giant Splash
After zooming down the Log Flume , your friends run directly West along the trail to slide down the giant Water Slide .
👉 Does your path from the Log Flume to the Water Slide go East, West, or Northwest?
Card F • Coaster Kingdom Use Student Map
Station Route G
The Souvenir Trek
You just finished lunch at the
Park Pathfinders Exit Ticket Assessment Unit Check
Coaster Kingdom Exit Ticket
Cut in half for 2 student slips
Coaster Kingdom • Exit Pass
FAST-PASS TO MASTERY
Name: ____________________________
Date: _______________ Class: ______
1. Name the four intermediate directions:
A. _________________________________
B. _________________________________
C. _________________________________
D. _________________________________
2. From Carousel to Gift Shop, you walk...
3. From Dino Land to Log Flume, you walk...
Score: ______ / 5 Turn in to Teacher
Fold & Cut Here
Coaster Kingdom • Exit Pass
FAST-PASS TO MASTERY
Name: ____________________________
Date: _______________ Class: ______
1. Name the four intermediate directions:
A. _________________________________
B. _________________________________
C. _________________________________
D. _________________________________
2. From Carousel to Gift Shop, you walk...
3. From Dino Land to Log Flume, you walk...
Score: ______ / 5 Turn in to Teacher
Coaster Kingdom Curriculum Bundle • Exit Slips Grade 5 Social Studies
Park Pathfinders Recording Sheet STATION RECORDING SHEET
Use this sheet to record your direction-finding answers at each station!
Name: ____________________________
Date: __________________ Class: ______
Directions: Read each scenario card at your rotation station. Refer to the Coaster Kingdom Map to plot your trail, find the direction, and write your final answer in the corresponding box below.
Station A Mascot treat run
Answer:
Station B Maya's fast-pass
1st Direction:
2nd Direction:
Station C Haunted portal
Answer:
Station D Technician emergency
Answer:
Station E Spooky escape
Answer:
Station F Giant splash flume
Answer:
Station G Souvenir shopping
Answer:
Station H Sunset skyview
Answer:
Pathfinder Self-Reflection
Circle the emoji that shows your understanding of directions today:
🧭 I need help! 🧗 Getting better! 👑 Compass Master!
Coaster Kingdom Curriculum Bundle • Social Studies Grade 5 Task Card Student Record Sheet
