Main and intermediate directions

Geography

Grade 4

Map work

Module 1

Main directions and intermediate directions

Direction

It is important for every person to know in what direction he is moving. Just think of what the pilot of an aeroplane, a seafarer or a hiker in the mountains would do if they could not determine direction. Yes, they would all get lost and end up in the wrong places.

1.main directions

Activity 1

To determine main directions [lo 1.3]

Today we are going to do FIELDWORK outside the classroom. We are going to the school’s sports field as a class, and we are going to decide together where the sun rose today.

Outside (early morning): Stretch both arms sideways. Now everybody turn so that your RIGHT HAND points in the direction where the sun ROSE.

1. What do you think this direction is called?

2. The direction on your LEFT is called WEST.

3. But there are two other important directions to find if you stand like that:

The direction IN WHICH you are FACING is NORTH, and the direction BEHIND you is SOUTH.

Activity 2

To find a place by means of directions [lo 1.4]

To the educator

Identify points A/B/C/D on the playground.

Hide prizes at the end of each group’s treasure hunt. The field must be prepared beforehand. Divide your class into four groups. Each group starts at a point indicated beforehand and searches for their treasure by following the required route.

But we have a problem!

If you want to travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town, you do not travel either south or west, but somewhere in between the two directions. We call this direction SOUTHWEST.

2.intermediate directions

Activity 3

To determine intermediate directions [lo 1.4]

Between the four main directions we must therefore identify four additional or intermediate directions:

Now complete the following:

1. Between South and East we have:………………………………………………

2. Between North and West we have:……………………………………………...

3. Between South and West we have:……………………………………………..

First mentioning North or South and then adding the other direction therefore give the names of the intermediate directions.

Activity 4

To fill in intermediate directions on a wind rose [lo 1.4]

• Your educator will hand out a sketch of a wind rose on which North, South, West and East are indicated. Fill in all the intermediate directions.

In what direction will you travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town?

Use your atlas if you are not sure where these cities are situated.

I travel …………………………………………………………………..

Activity 5

To determine direction with the help of a wind rose [lo 1.4]

• Let us see if you understand everything. Study the sketch below and then answer the questions that follow:

1. Write down the eight main directions about which you have learnt on the wind rose in the sketch.
2. Now indicate in what direction each place lies from the centre:
3. The tannery lies to the………………….. from the centre.
4. The N1 freeway lies to the…………………… from the centre.
5. The water tower lies to the…………………… from the centre.
6. The caravan park lies to the………………………. from the centre

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Assessment

Learning outcome 1: geographical enquiry

The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate geographical and

environmental concepts and processes.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

1.3 identifies symbols used in different kinds of maps (including plan view, grids and map keys) [works with sources];

1.4 locates places using a simple grid referencing system and directions [works with sources].

Memorandum

To determine main directions

1. E

To determine intermediate directions

1. SE
2. NW

3. NE

To fill in intermediate directions on a wind rose

• I drive SW.

To determine direction with the help of a wind rose

2. a) NW b) S c) SW d) NE