Reading Compass Directions: The Ordinal Points

MatholiaChannel

This educational video provides a clear and structured introduction to the ordinal (or intercardinal) points of a compass. Building upon the basic cardinal directions of North, South, East, and West, the video demonstrates how intermediate directions are named based on the two cardinal points they lie between. Through a visual demonstration using a realistic compass needle and a diagram, viewers learn to identify, name, and abbreviate North-East (NE), South-East (SE), South-West (SW), and North-West (NW). The video explores key themes of spatial orientation, map reading skills, and the terminology of navigation. It explicitly distinguishes between cardinal points and ordinal points, helping students understand the logic behind the naming convention (e.g., why it is "North-East" and not "East-North"). The systematic presentation reinforces the cyclical nature of the compass rose. For educators, this resource is an excellent tool for introducing map skills and geography concepts in lower elementary grades. It visually bridges the gap between abstract direction names and the physical movement of a compass needle. Teachers can use this video to scaffold lessons on reading maps, giving directions, or understanding location relative to a fixed point, making it valuable for both Social Studies and Math (spatial reasoning) curriculums.