Maps & Directions · Learning goals
A map is a picture of a place seen from above. Learn map symbols and the words left, right, up and down, then walk a friend around town.
Why it matters
Reading simple maps is a foundation for geography in every later grade.
Left, right, up and down help kids follow and give directions.
Seeing places from above builds spatial reasoning used in math and science.
Inside Maps & Directions
A short read-aloud lesson first, then hands-on games and a quiz to lock it in.
Step 1 · Lesson
A short read-aloud lesson in 5 steps.
Step 2 · Think
Why do people use maps?
Step 3 · Map and directions game
Use up, down, left and right to walk to each place.
Step 4 · Quiz
4 questions to check what stuck.
Lesson preview
This is the real lesson text your child hears, read aloud by a friendly voice.
A map is a picture of a place seen from above, the way a bird sees it.
Maps use small pictures called symbols. A tree can mean a park.
Hold up your hands. Your left hand makes an L shape!
Up means toward the top of the map. Down means toward the bottom.
Now help a friend walk around town with the arrows!
For parents
Learning sticks best when kids use it in real life. Here are simple ideas from this course.
Draw a simple map of your home or yard together with symbols for the door, bed and table. Hide a toy and use the map to find it.
Why do people use maps?
Practice
Real questions from Maps & Directions. Try them with your child, then tap to see the answer.
Question 1
Above
Question 2
Symbol
Question 3
Left
The full course has 4 questions with instant feedback, stars and rewards. Create a free account to play them all.
Maps & Directions · Questions from parents
Maps & Directions is a grade 1 social studies course for kids ages 6–7. That is Year 2 social studies in the UK and Year 1 in Australia. It also works well for review in the next grade, or as a challenge for a confident younger learner.
A map is a picture of a place seen from above. Learn map symbols and the words left, right, up and down, then walk a friend around town. Along the way they practice: Town Walk.
About 10 minutes in total, split into 3 short levels. Most kids finish it over two or three sessions. Progress is saved, so they can stop any time and pick up where they left off.
Maps & Directions is part of SkillBloom Premium, which unlocks every course in every subject. Each subject also has free courses, so your child can try SkillBloom before you decide.
No. Every lesson has a friendly read-aloud voice, questions are read aloud too, and the pictures help kids follow along. Confident readers can turn the voice off.
Yes. SkillBloom is built for homeschooling families. Kids work through lessons, games and quizzes on their own, and the parent dashboard shows what they finished and which skills need more practice. It works on phones, tablets and laptops.
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