Developing: Position (Eight Points of the Compass)

Vocabulary

Vocabulary 

right angle, 90⁰

straight angle

acute, obtuse, reflex

quarter turn, half turn

whole turn

double, half

points of the compass

North (N), South (S)

East (E), West (W)

North East (NE), North West (NW)

South East (SE), South West (SW)

Hints and Tips

It is helpful for your child to explore the relationship between angles and points of the compass as it helps to consolidate angles of turn before introducing degrees.

In advance, prepare a 4 point compass and an 8 point compass chart to support your child with all eight points marked in words and abbreviations.

 

Essential Prior Knowledge

Know about right angles and half right angles.

Be able to use the vocabulary of angles.

Activity

Activity One

Either give your child a large paper circle or ask him/her to draw a circle and cut it out.

Your child should fold it in half and half again.

Ask your child to identify the right angles then mark the four points of the compass N, S, E and W.

Now your child can practise giving and receiving instructions using the vocabulary of turn and direction, begin with turns, one quarter turn, half turn, three quarter turns.

Start facing one of the points of the compass, change starting point and turns each time.

Now, use the language of angles for example, 'Face South and turn anticlockwise through a reflex angle.'

Take it in turn with your child to give and receive instructions.

Once you are sure your child understands the four points of the compass you can move on to add the next four points after doing some practice work with a compass..

Activity Two

Give your child a compass and show him/her how to use it. Go for a walk and ask your child to let you know what direction you are walking.

In the garden or park take turns to give each other instructions using steps and then stopping to change direction. 'Start facing West, take 6 steps then turn South. etc

Activity Three

Start with a new circle again (3 Folds) to show eight equal parts. Mark the fold lines in pencil. Talk about the angles in the centre. Look for right angles, straight angles, acute angles, obtuse angles and reflex angles.

Ask your child to label the N, S, E, W then ask your child how he/she could label the half-right angle (acute) points.

If your child is unsure, model Modelling how to work out one mid-point and then give him/her chance to work out another using your modelling as a support. Again, if he/she still struggles, model again. 

Repeat this until all 8 points are labelled.

Now your child can practise giving and receiving instructions using the vocabulary of turn and direction, begin with turns, one quarter turn, half turn, three quarter turns.

Start facing one of the points of the compass, change starting point and turns each time.

Now, use the language of angles for example, 'Face South East and turn anticlockwise through a reflex angle.'

Take it in turn with your child to give and receive instructions.

Activity Four

Repeat Activity Two using all 8 points of the compass

Give your child a compass and show him/her how to use it. Go for a walk and ask your child to let you know what direction you are walking.

In the garden or park take turns to give each other instructions using steps and then stopping to change direction. 'Start facing North West, take 6 steps then turn South. etc