Town Navigator Slides
Community Geography Mini-Lesson
Town Navigators
🗺️ Position Words & City Planning
Where Does It Belong?
Learn how to describe where things are located, navigate our town map, and discover why buildings are built in special places!
1
Near & Far
2
Left & Right
3
Next To & Between
4
Town Planning
Position Words • Part 1
Near vs. Far
Distance Clues
🚶
NEAR
Close by • Just a few steps away
When something is near, you can walk to it quickly. It takes very little time to reach!
"The swings are near the classroom door."
✈️
FAR
Far away • A long trip or ride
When something is far, it has a long distance between you. You might need a bus, car, or bicycle!
"The airport is far from our neighborhood."
Quick Question: Name one place near your seat right now, and one place far away!
Position Words • Part 2
Left & Right
Side-by-Side Directions
LEFT
Hold up your hand: your thumb and pointer finger make the letter "L"!
🍞
The Bakery is on the LEFT
RIGHT
The other side! Most people write or open door handles with this hand.
📚
The Library is on the RIGHT
Standing on Main Street: Look straight ahead! Turn your head to spot left and right!
👈 🧭 👉
Position Words • Part 3
Next To & Between
Arranging Neighbors
Oak Street Building Row Look at the order!
🏫
School
Building A
IN THE MIDDLE
🌳
Town Park
Building B
🚒
Fire Station
Building C
1
NEXT TO (Beside)
Right beside another building with no building in the gap.
👉 "The Park is next to the School."
2
BETWEEN (In the middle)
In the middle with one thing on each side.
👉 "The Park is between the School and Fire Station."
💡 Tip: To be between, you must have neighbors on BOTH sides!
Position Words • Part 4
Across From
Facing Opposite
📬
POST OFFICE
North Side of the Road
Side 1
-- BROADWAY STREET --
Cross the street safely!
🛒
GROCERY STORE
South Side of the Road
Side 2
WHAT DOES "ACROSS FROM" MEAN?
On the opposite side of a street, path, or open space. When you stand at the front doors, you face right toward each other!
Urban Thinking • Big Question
Why Are Buildings Put in Certain Places?
City Planners
1. Safety & Quick Access
Hospitals and fire stations are placed on wide main roads so sirens can speed to emergencies without getting trapped in traffic.
🚑 Fast routes save lives!
2. Quiet & Safe Zones
Schools and libraries are placed on calm neighborhood streets with sidewalks and crossing guards—far away from noisy factories!
📚 Quiet helps kids learn!
3. Convenience & Homes
Parks and grocery stores are placed near houses so families can pick up food easily or play outdoors without long car rides.
🏡 Easy for families!
Think Like a Planner: Would you build a noisy airport next to a hospital? Why or why not?
🤔
Interactive Map Challenge
Can You Solve the Town Clues?
Town Challenge
SUNNYVALE TOWN MAP Look at the positions!
🏫 School
🌳 City Park
📚 Library
══════ MAPLE AVENUE ══════
🚒 Fire Station
🛒 Supermarket
🏥 Clinic
CLUE 1 • Next To / Between
Which building is between the School and the Library?
CLUE 2 • Across From
What is directly across from the City Park?
CLUE 3 • Town Planner Thinking
Why is the School placed near the Park and Library instead of the Fire Station?
Vocabulary Mastered: Near • Far • Left • Right • Next To • Between • Across From
Great Job, Navigators! ⭐
