Map symbols / legend / keys Worksheets for Grade 1

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Browse all 12 printable worksheets below — click any card to open the full page.

Easy

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Trace the Words

Trace each word on the dotted lines. Then write it one more time by yourself.

1. map

2. key

3. north

4. lake

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word on the line to complete each sentence.

1. A  

2. The map  

3. On a map, the color blue usually means  

4. A compass rose shows  

5. The  

Part C: True or False

Circle True or False for each statement.

1. A map key helps you understand the symbols on a map.

T F

2. On most maps, green means water.

T F

3. A compass rose shows directions like North and South.

T F

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Easy

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Trace the Words

Trace each word on the dotted lines. Then write it one more time by yourself.

1. legend

2. symbol

3. road

4. park

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word on the line to complete each sentence.

1. A  

2. A map  

3. On a map, the color green often means a  

4. A line on a map can show a  

5. The direction opposite of North is  

Part C: True or False

Circle True or False for each statement.

1. A legend and a key on a map mean the same thing.

T F

2. A star symbol on a map usually means a lake.

T F

3. Every map should have a title so you know what it shows.

T F

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Easy

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Trace the Words

Trace each word carefully by following the dotted lines.

1. map

2. key

3. north

4. south

5. symbol

6. legend

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A map  

2. The  

3. A blue line on a map can mean a  

4. We read the  

Part C: True or False?

Read each statement. Circle True or False.

1. A map legend helps us read the map.

T F

2. All maps use the same colors for everything.

T F

3. A star on a map can stand for a capital city.

T F

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Easy

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Trace the Words

Trace each word carefully by following the dotted lines.

1. legend

2. north

3. south

4. key

5. map

6. symbol

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A  

2. The map  

3. A compass rose shows  

4. A small tree symbol might mean a  

Part C: True or False?

Read each statement. Circle True or False.

1. A map key and a map legend are the same thing.

T F

2. You do not need a legend to read map symbols.

T F

3. A compass rose helps us find directions on a map.

T F

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Medium

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word on the line to complete each sentence.

1. The four cardinal directions are North, South, East, and  

2. A  

3. The letter N on a compass rose stands for  

4. If you face North,  

5. The direction where the sun rises is  

6. The direction where the sun sets is  

7. On a map, the letter  

8. A compass rose has  

9. If you walk East and then turn around, you are now facing  

Part B: Match the Map Symbol

Draw a line from each direction word to its abbreviation.

1.

North

→

W

South

→

E

East

→

N

West

→

S

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Medium

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word on the line to complete each sentence.

1. A map  

2. On most maps, the color  

3. A  

4. Green on a map usually means a park or  

5. A dotted line on a map can show a  

6. Before reading a map, you should look at the  

7. A map that shows roads and highways is called a  

8. Symbols are small  

9. A map of your school neighborhood is called a  

Part B: Match the Map Symbol

Draw a line from each map color or symbol to what it represents.

1.

Blue color

→

Trail or path

Green color

→

Capital city

Star symbol

→

Water

Dotted line

→

Park or forest

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Medium

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A map  

2. The color  

3. A compass rose shows four  

4. A  

5. North is at the  

6. A map  

7. Green on a map often means  

8. A small airplane symbol might show an  

9. The opposite of north is  

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

Star symbol

→

Capital city

Blue wavy line

→

River

Green area

→

Park or forest

Tiny airplane

→

Airport

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Medium

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word or number on each line.

1. A  

2. The map legend uses  

3. A tent symbol on a map might mean a  

4. East is the  

5. A red cross symbol can mean a  

6. We look at the map  

7. A dashed line on a map can show a  

8. Maps help us find places and  

9. A black square might stand for a  

Part B: Matching

Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.

1. Match each item to its correct answer.

Compass rose

→

Shows directions

Map legend

→

Explains symbols

Dashed line

→

Trail or path

Red cross

→

Hospital

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Hard

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the correct answer for each question.

1. What does a map legend help you do?

2. If you are facing North and turn to your right, which direction are you now facing?

3. What does a map scale tell you?

4. Which type of map shows mountains, rivers, and lakes?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word on the line to complete each sentence.

1. The direction between North and East is called  

2. A map  

3. A  

4. You can use a map  

5. A  

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Hard

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the correct answer for each question.

1. Which map would you use to find the borders of countries?

2. On a map grid, how do you find a location at B3?

3. What direction is between South and West on a compass rose?

4. If 1 inch on a map equals 1 mile, how far apart are two places that are 3 inches apart on the map?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the missing word on the line to complete each sentence.

1. The direction between South and East is called  

2. A  

3. A map grid uses  

4. The direction between North and West is called  

5. A  

Map Symbols & Legend Keys

Hard

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. What does a map legend do?

2. Which direction does the top of most maps show?

3. A blue area on a map most likely shows what?

4. What tool shows north, south, east, and west?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. A map  

2. Symbols are small  

3. A triangle symbol might represent a  

4. The  

5. You should always check the  

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Hard

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

Name:

Date:

Grade: Grade 1

Part A: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. A legend shows a tree means park. You see three trees. What does it mean?

2. Which is NOT a direction on a compass rose?

3. Why do maps use symbols instead of words?

4. A map has no legend. What is the problem?

Part B: Fill in the Blank

Write the correct answer on each line.

1. A compass  

2. When two maps use different symbols, read each map  

3. The four main directions are north, south, east, and  

4. A map without a  

5. Real places are shown on maps using  

Map Symbols, Legend & Keys

What's Included in This Download

What You'll Learn

These map symbols / legend / keys worksheets help grade 1 students develop essential social studies skills through engaging activities.

Learning Objectives

• Map Reading: Navigate and interpret simple maps of familiar places
• Symbol Recognition: Identify common map symbols for roads, water, buildings, and landmarks
• Map Legend: Use a map key to decode symbols and colors on maps
• Cardinal Directions: Apply north, south, east, and west to describe locations
• Map Purpose: Understand that maps represent real places from a bird's-eye view

Skills Covered

How to Use These Worksheets

1. Download & Print: Click the download button to get the PDF. Print on standard 8.5" x 11" paper.
2. Start Simple: Begin with easier pages before moving to more challenging activities.
3. Daily Practice: Dedicate 10-15 minutes each day for consistent learning.
4. Use Manipulatives: Pair worksheets with physical objects like blocks or counters.
5. Provide Encouragement: Celebrate progress and effort to build confidence.
6. Check Progress: Use the included answer key to review work together.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

• Guessing what a symbol means from its shape instead of checking the legend first—first graders often skip the key and assume a blue square is water when the legend says it is a swimming pool.
• Mixing up symbols that look alike, such as a small green circle for a bush and a green triangle for a tree, because young learners focus on color rather than shape.
• Forgetting that one symbol on the map stands for one real thing, so they may count three tree symbols but say there is only one tree in the park.

Frequently Asked Questions

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