NCERT Maths Mela, Class 5, textbook pages 171–178

How to teach Class 5 Maths Chapter 14, Maps and Locations, at home

Directions, maps and routes, taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

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NCERT Class 5 Maths Chapter 14 Maps and Locations: what it teaches

Facing the rising Sun is east. Your child learns the four directions, reads simple maps, describes routes, and uses a map’s grid or scale to locate places.

Why it matters later. Directions and maps connect maths to geography and are used in coordinate geometry later.

See it: this chapter in pictures

rising Suneast
Face the rising Sun: that is east.
NSEWNWNESWSE
Opposite directions are across the compass.
homeschool
Routes are described with directions and steps.

You need

  • a compass app
  • a drawn map of your area
  • squared paper

Tonight’s 10 minutes

  1. In the morning, face the rising Sun: that is east. Point to north, south and west.
  2. Draw your street map with north at the top. Mark home, shop and school.
  3. Describe a route: 2 blocks north, turn east, 1 block.
  4. Use a compass app to check the directions of your windows.

Words to use

  • north
  • south
  • east
  • west
  • map
  • route
  • left
  • right

Watch for

  • Thinking left is always west. Left depends on which way you face; west does not.
  • Holding the map in any direction. Turn the map so its north points north.

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

YouFace the rising Sun. Which direction?

Your childEast.

YouWhat’s on your left?

Your childNorth.

YouAnd behind you?

Your childWest.

A game for this week: Treasure route

  1. Draw a map with north marked.
  2. Hide a treasure and write directions: 3 north, 2 east.
  3. The other player follows the directions.
  4. Swap roles.

A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Find east from the rising Sun.
  2. Day 2Draw a street map.
  3. Day 3Describe routes with directions.
  4. Day 4Check directions with a compass app.
  5. Day 5Treasure route game.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Google Maps directions.
  • Finding the school gate.
  • Sunrise and sunset.
  • Travel routes.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

Facing east, what is on your left?

North.

Which direction does the Sun set?

West.

Opposite of south-east?

North-west.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Names the four directions.
  • Reads and draws simple maps.
  • Describes routes using directions.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Maths Mela (Class 5). See the full Class 5 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

How can I find directions without a compass?

In the morning, face the rising Sun: that is east.

Why is north at the top of maps?

It is the usual convention so everyone reads maps the same way.

Is left the same as west?

No, left depends on which way you face.