Grade 3 · Social Studies · Geography

3rd Grade Cardinal Directions and Map Keys worksheets

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Cardinal Directions and Map Keys

Grade 3 Social Studies Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the answer.

1.
Use the map. Which direction is the hill from the school?
- north
- southeast
- east
- northeast
2.
Use the map. Which direction is the school from the hill?
Use the picture in question 1.
- northwest
- southwest
- northeast
- south
3.
Use the map. Start at the store. Walk east past the school. What place do you reach?
Use the picture in question 1.
- park
- house
- hill
- woods
4.
Use the map. Which place is southwest of the store?
- woods
- school
- park
- house
5.
Use the map. Walk from the house to the store, then turn and walk south. Where do you stop?
Use the picture in question 4.
- woods
- pond
- park
- school
6.
Use the map key to find the wavy-lines symbol. Which direction is that place from the store?
Use the picture in question 4.
- east
- north
- northwest
- south
7.
Use the map. Which direction is the pond from the house?
- south
- northeast
- southeast
- southwest
8.
Use the map. Which direction is the house from the pond?
Use the picture in question 7.
- west
- north
- southeast
- northwest
9.
Use the map. You walk from the park to the house, then on to the school. Which way do you walk the whole time?
Use the picture in question 7.
- west
- southeast
- north
- east
10.
Use the map. Which two places are directly north and south of the house?
Use the picture in question 7.
- school and store
- park and school
- pond and hill
- hill and store

3rd Grade Cardinal Directions and Map Keys worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Cardinal directions and map keys help readers describe location and understand symbols on maps helps third graders connect civic, geographic, historical, economic, and cultural ideas to evidence from everyday communities. Students may use left or right from their own view instead of north, south, east, or west shown on the map. This worksheet uses short, concrete situations instead of broad recall questions. Students identify directions, use map-key symbols, compare opposite directions, and connect landmarks with map evidence.

Support versions use familiar school and neighborhood examples. Standard and challenge versions add closer distractors and require more careful comparison. Encourage your child to read the situation first, name the social studies idea being tested, and then choose the answer that fits the evidence. If an answer sounds reasonable but does not match the title skill or the details in the prompt, it is a distractor. That habit builds stronger reasoning for maps, timelines, sources, communities, and economic choices.

What your child will learn

Use north, south, east, and west
Read map symbols
Use a map key
Describe relative location

C3 Framework standard: D2.Geo.1.3-5

Worked example

If the library is north of the park, the park is south of the library.

Common mistake

Ignoring the compass rose and using personal left or right.

Helpful hint

Check the compass rose and the map key before answering.

Next skill: Map Scale and Regions Earlier: Rights and Responsibilities

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with cardinal directions and map keys?

Ignoring the compass rose and using personal left or right.

How can I help my child with cardinal directions and map keys?

Check the compass rose and the map key before answering.

Are these 3rd grade social studies worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 3rd grade geography

See all geography

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