Compass Directions and Relative Location Matching Activity – Rottnest Island – Differentiated

This engaging, map-based matching activity introduces students to the beaches, bays and prominent landmarks of Rottnest Island while developing essential geography and directional language skills. As students match a photograph, a place name, and a set of directions, they become familiar with the island’s coastal features and build a stronger spatial understanding of its layout.

Through progressive differentiation, students develop confidence using cardinal, intermediate and secondary intercardinal compass points, increasingly precise relative location descriptions, and (at upper levels) distance measurement skills.

Differentiated and Colour-Coded Sets
Set 1 – Tour Guide (Year 4)
Students use cardinal compass points only (North, South, East, West) and simplified vocabulary to describe relative location (e.g., “in the north of the island”, “on the west coast”). This level supports early understanding of spatial awareness while introducing key beaches and landmarks.

Set 2 – Navigator (Year 5)
Students use cardinal and intermediate compass points (NE, NW, SE, SW) and less complex vocabulary to describe locations more accurately, strengthening their understanding of how the island’s bays and beaches relate to one another.

Set 3 – Advanced Geographer (Year 6)
Students apply cardinal, intermediate and secondary intercardinal compass points (e.g., NNE, SSW) and more sophisticated geographical vocabulary to describe precise relative locations of beaches, bays and landmarks.

Set 4 – Precision Geographer (Year 7)
Students use the full range of compass directions alongside advanced vocabulary and distance measurements (using Google Maps) to provide highly precise spatial descriptions. This level encourages deeper geographical thinking and analytical mapping skills.

One editable slide for each of the sets has been provided to enable you to add locations (if you wish) that have not been included on this resource.

You may choose to include all the matching combinations in one task or simplify the task further by removing some cards based on student needs, on the time you have available, or what your teaching focus is at the time.

A marking key for each colour-coded set has been included.

Perfect as a stand-alone activity or for use before, during and after an excursion or overnight camp to the island.

Before commencing, you will need to organise:

Either a printed map of Rottnest Island or access to an online version (e.g. Google Earth, Google Maps) for students to refer to.

Some ideas on how this resource can by used in the classroom:

Before the Excursion
Introduce students to the beaches, bays and landmarks of Rottnest Island.
Teach and practise compass directions using the differentiated sets.
Have students predict locations and create simple directional clues.

During the Excursion / Camp
Use a printed map to identify current location and direction of travel.
Record grid references for visited beaches.
Estimate distance between locations (Years 6–7).

After the Excursion
Students label a blank map from memory.
Write short location descriptions using compass points.
Create their own matching activity for classmates.

This resource strengthens students’ spatial awareness, geographical vocabulary and mapping skills while deepening their understanding of Rottnest Island’s unique coastal features.

Additional resources with a focus specific to Rottnest Island are available in my store.