Move and Groove Slides Move and Groove
Our Journey Begins with Directions!
Navigation Lesson 1
Simon Says... Move!
Today, we are going to play a game to test your ears and your bodies!
Listen closely for these words:
Left Right Up Down
Listening Ears On!
Direction Words
Near & Far
How close is the object to you?
Left & Right
Which side is it on?
Up & Down
Is it high or low?
Let's Try It!
🍎🎒✏️ 🪑👦📦 💻📚👟
1. Look at the boy.
What is to his RIGHT?
2. Look at the desk.
What is DOWN on the floor?
3. Is the apple NEAR or FAR from the computer?
Explorer Mission
Get ready to explore our room! Use your eyes and your direction words to find objects near and far.
Time to start the Room Explorer Worksheet!
Room Explorer Worksheet Room Explorer
Mission: Use your direction words!
Explorer Name:
Date:
Mission Briefing
Look around your classroom. Use your explorer eyes to find objects and describe where they are. Use words like LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN, NEAR, and FAR.
1 The View From My Desk
What is to your LEFT?
Draw it here
What is UP on the ceiling?
Draw it here
What is to your RIGHT?
Draw it here
What is DOWN on the floor?
Draw it here
2 Near and Far
Name something NEAR your feet:
Is it smaller or bigger than your shoe?
Name something FAR from your desk:
Can you reach it without walking?
3 The Snack Route
Imagine you are at the Classroom Door. Describe how to get to your Desk using your direction words.
Navigation Teacher Guide Explorer Navigation
Teacher Facilitation Guide
1st Grade Social Studies
Sequence Overview
This 5-lesson sequence transitions students from basic spatial awareness (relative location) to professional navigation tools (cardinal directions and coordinate grids). By the end of the unit, students will apply these skills in a classroom-wide scavenger hunt.
Key Vocabulary
Relative location, cardinal directions, compass rose, grid, coordinate, row, column.
Essential Question
How do we use directions and grid lines to find exact locations on a map?
Prep Checklist
Print wall signs for N, S, E, W (Lesson 2)
Tape for classroom labeling
Prepare Clue Envelopes (Lesson 5)
A "Treasure" (stickers/pencils)
Lesson Pacing & Strategies
Lesson 1: Move and Groove Physical Mastery
Strategy: Use Simon Says to build immediate muscle memory for left/right. For students struggling with left/right, provide a "L" sticker for their left hand.
Total Physical Response Observational Drawing
Lesson 2: The Mighty Compass Rose Orientation
Discussion Prompt: "Why can't we just use 'left' and 'right' on a ship in the middle of the ocean?"
Guide students to realize that "left" changes when you turn around, but "North" stays the same. Use the mnemonic Never Eat Soggy Waffles consistently.
Lessons 3 & 4: Grids and Zoo Tour Logic & Application
Common Misconception:
Students often mix up the order of coordinates. Remind them: "Walk to the elevator (column), then go up to your floor (row)." This reinforces Letter then Number.
Zoo Tour Tip:
Allow students to work in pairs. One student acts as the "Visitor" (closes eyes) while the "Guide" reads the coordinate directions aloud.
The Great Treasure Hunt: Setup Guide
Follow these steps to prepare the final mission:
1
Define the Grid: Assign letters to your desk columns and numbers to your rows. Label them clearly with tape so students can identify B2, D1, etc.
2
Hide the Clues: Place envelopes at the specific coordinates (B2, D2, C1, C4). Inside each envelope, place a card with a Secret Letter.
3
The Secret Word: Use letters that spell a location (e.g., D-E-S-K or B-O-O-K). Students solve the code to find the final treasure box.
4
Management: Stagger the start times for different groups or have them start at different coordinates to prevent "clumping".
Answer Key Reference
Compass Rose (Lesson 2)
Top: North (N)
Bottom: South (S)
Right: East (E)
Left: West (W)
Zoo Map (Lesson 4)
Giraffes: C3
Penguins: A4
B2: Lions
South of B2: Snacks (B3)
Compass Rose Slides The Mighty Compass Rose
Lesson 2: Cardinal Directions
Lost at Sea?
Imagine you are a sailor in the middle of the deep blue ocean. 🌊
There are no roads. No signs. Just water everywhere.
How do you know which way to go?
The Compass Rose
This special symbol is found on almost every map. It acts like a talking map tool that tells us 4 main directions:
N is for North
S is for South
E is for East
W is for West
NORTH
SOUTH
EAST
WEST
How to Remember?
Read them in a circle (Clockwise)!
N
Never
E
Eat
S
Soggy
W
Waffles
North, East, South, West! 🧭
Classroom Orientation
1
Let's find the NORTH wall in our classroom.
2
We will tape our Direction Signs to each wall.
3
When I call out a direction, turn your body to face it!
Ready to navigate?
Compass Rose Worksheet My Compass Rose
Never Eat Soggy Waffles!
Explorer:
Date:
1
Label the Directions
NORTH
SOUTH
EAST
WEST
Word Bank:
N
S
E
W
2
Map Drawing Challenge
Draw a TREE to the NORTH of the campfire. Draw a LAKE to the WEST of the campfire.
🔥
North
A compass always points North!
Secret Square Slides Secret Square
Lesson 3: Introduction to Grids
Find the Treasure!
I have hidden a Gold Star in one of these squares.
How can you tell me exactly where it is without pointing?
"It's in the square where the Letter meets the Number!"
A1
A2
A3
B1
B2
B3
B4
C1
C2
C3
C4
D1
D2
D3
D4
How Grids Work
COLUMNS
Columns go UP and DOWN.
ROWS
Rows go SIDE to SIDE.
The "Address"
A B C D
1 2 3 4
🍕
Where is the pizza?
B2
Column B
Row 2
Grid Game!
Let's find the secret addresses on our worksheet. Remember:
Ready, Set, Explore! 🗺️
Secret Square Worksheet Secret Square Grid
Letter first... Then the Number!
Explorer:
1
Find the Address
A B C D
1 2 3 4
🍎
🐱
🚀
🎁
Where is the Apple 🍎?
Where is the Cat 🐱?
Where is the Rocket 🚀?
Where is the Gift 🎁?
2
Draw the Object
1
Draw a SMILEY FACE at A2
2
Draw a HEART at C4
3
Draw a FLOWER at B1
A B C
1 2 3
Grid Expert Certified
Zoo Tour Slides Zoo Tour Navigators
Lesson 4: Maps in Action
You are the Guide!
A family just arrived at the zoo. They are lost and hungry! 🥨
They want to see the Lions, but they don't know where to go.
"Can you use the grid map to lead us there?"
Guide Mode: ON
Your Navigator Toolkit
N
WE
S
Direction Words
North, South, East, and West tell us which WAY to go.
C3
Grid Address
Letters and Numbers tell us EXACTLY WHERE an animal is.
Planning the Path
ABCD
1234
🎟️
🦁
🐘
🥤
Step 1: Address
The Lions are at B2.
Step 2: Direction
To get from the Tickets (A1) to the Lions (B2):
➡️ Go EAST 1 square (to B1)
⬇️ Go SOUTH 1 square (to B2)
Tour Time!
It's time to open your Zoo Maps. Can you find all the animals and guide the visitors?
NAVIGATORS, DEPLOY! 🦁🐘🦒
Zoo Map Activity Worksheet Zoo Tour Map
Be the Guide. Find the Animals!
Tour Guide:
A B C D
1 2 3 4
Entrance
🐒 Monkeys
🦁 Lions
🦓 Zebras
🥨 Snacks
🦒 Giraffes
🐧 Penguins
🐘 Elephants
N
W E
S
Finding Addresses
Where are the Giraffes? _______
Where are the Penguins? _______
What is at address B2? ___________
Giving Directions
Start at the Lions (B2). Go SOUTH 1 square. Where are you?
Start at Entrance (A1). Go EAST 2 squares. Where are you?
Treasure Hunt Slides The Great Treasure Hunt
Final Mission: Master Navigators
An Ancient Secret...
Hidden somewhere in this very room is a LEGENDARY TREASURE. 💰
To find it, you cannot just look. You must navigate.
"The path is marked by Letters, Numbers, and the four winds of the Compass Rose."
Your Navigator Toolkit
Compass Rose
Face North, South, East, or West to find your path.
Grid Map
Every object has a Square Address like B3 or D1.
Clue Sheet
Solve the mystery one Coordinate at a time!
Explorer Code
Walk safely! No running in the Treasure Zone.
Eyes only! Don't touch or hide the clues.
Whisper! Keep the secret addresses for your team.
Work together to win!
Begin the Hunt!
Grab your log sheets and head to the Starting Point (A1).
MAY YOUR COMPASS BE TRUE! 🧭
Treasure Hunt Log Sheet Treasure Hunt Log
Navigator Name:
Team Name:
Classroom Grid Map
ABCD
1234
Start
Mark each "X" on your map as you find a clue!
N
WE
S
Clue Path
Clue #1
Go to address B2. Look under the desk.
Secret Letter:
Clue #2
From B2, go EAST 2 squares. What is at D2?
Secret Letter:
Clue #3
Find the NORTH wall. Go to C1.
Secret Letter:
Clue #4
Go SOUTH 3 squares to C4.
Secret Letter:
The Treasure Key
Write your letters in order to find the final box!
