Grade 3 · Social Studies · Geography

3rd Grade Cardinal Directions and Map Keys worksheets

6 printable versionsBuilding ConfidenceAbout 9 minutes eachFree · no account

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Cardinal Directions and Map Keys

Grade 3 Social Studies Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the answer.

1.
Use the map. Which direction is the school from the park?
- south
- north
- east
2.
Use the map. What place is east of the park?
Use the picture in question 1.
- pond
- house
- store
3.
Use the map key. Which place does the wavy-lines symbol stand for?
Use the picture in question 1.
- park
- pond
- store
4.
Look at the map. Which part shows north, south, east, and west?
Use the picture in question 1.
- the map key
- the place names
- the compass rose
5.
Use the map. Which direction is the pond from the park?
Use the picture in question 1.
- east
- south
- west
6.
Use the map. What place is south of the park?
Use the picture in question 1.
- house
- pond
- school
7.
Use the map. What place is north of the school?
- hill
- store
- woods
8.
Use the map key. Which place does the rounded hump stand for?
Use the picture in question 7.
- woods
- school
- hill
9.
Use the map. Which direction is the house from the school?
Use the picture in question 7.
- north
- west
- east
10.
Use the map. What place is west of the school?
Use the picture in question 7.
- house
- park
- 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

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