{"id":7361,"date":"2023-05-01T01:00:58","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T05:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=7361"},"modified":"2026-08-30T15:44:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T19:44:07","slug":"capitalizing-geographical-terms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=7361","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Directions: A Simple Guide for Upper Elementary"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7361\" class=\"elementor elementor-7361\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d779215 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d779215\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9a201a7\" data-id=\"9a201a7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-310aaa9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"310aaa9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5b68582\" data-id=\"5b68582\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a65c514\" data-id=\"a65c514\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5162e0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5162e0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.2 - 22-02-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/workshop\/grammar\/images\/capitalize-directions.webp\" title=\"\" alt=\"Capitalizing Directions\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5c01ce7\" data-id=\"5c01ce7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de0283e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de0283e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.2 - 22-02-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Do your students know when to capitalize directions? Most second graders proudly capitalize cities, states, and countries like seasoned travelers with a passport and a pencil, but those pesky direction words? A whole different compass. Whether it\u2019s <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">North Carolina<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> or just \u201cheading northeast,\u201d students often struggle to decide when north, south, east, and west deserve their uppercase badge of honor. This lesson focuses on <strong>teaching directions<\/strong> by helping students understand when north, south, east, and west should be capitalized,\u00a0 and when they shouldn\u2019t, using clear rules and simple sorting practice.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c573fcb elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"c573fcb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\n.wsp-stat-strip { background:#323a49; margin:24px auto; max-width:900px; border-radius:14px; padding:24px; }\n.wsp-stat-strip .row { text-align:center; }\n.wsp-stat-item { padding:8px; }\n.wsp-stat-label { display:block; font-size:12px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; color:rgba(255,255,255,.65); margin-bottom:4px; }\n.wsp-stat-value { display:block; font-weight:700; color:#f9d342; font-size:17px; }\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"wsp-stat-strip\">\n  <div class=\"row g-3\">\n    <div class=\"col-6 col-md-3\"><div class=\"wsp-stat-item\"><span class=\"wsp-stat-label\">Grade Level<\/span><span class=\"wsp-stat-value\">3\u20135<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n    <div class=\"col-6 col-md-3\"><div class=\"wsp-stat-item\"><span class=\"wsp-stat-label\">Skill Focus<\/span><span class=\"wsp-stat-value\">Capitalizing direction words correctly in sentences and geographic terms<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n    <div class=\"col-6 col-md-3\"><div class=\"wsp-stat-item\"><span class=\"wsp-stat-label\">Standards<\/span><span class=\"wsp-stat-value\">L.3.2a\u20135.2 \u2022 L.3.1a\u20135.1a \u2022 L.3.4\u20135.4 <\/span><\/div><\/div>\n    <div class=\"col-6 col-md-3\"><div class=\"wsp-stat-item\"><span class=\"wsp-stat-label\">Format<\/span><span class=\"wsp-stat-value\">Printable<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e428dad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e428dad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Jump to<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03337a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"03337a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\r\n.cs-jump-nav { max-width:900px; margin:24px auto; display:flex; justify-content:center; gap:10px; flex-wrap:wrap; padding:0 20px; }\r\n.cs-jump-nav a { display:inline-block; padding:10px 20px; border-radius:50px; background:#323a49; border:2px solid #fff; color:#fff; font-weight:700; font-size:13px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.5px; text-decoration:none; }\r\n.cs-jump-nav a:hover { background:#1dbb9d; color:#fff; }\r\n<\/style> <nav class=\"cs-jump-nav\">\r\n<a href=\"#why\">Why It Matters<\/a>  \r\n  <a href=\"#lesson\">Mini Lesson<\/a>  \r\n    <a href=\"#handout\">Handout<\/a>\r\n  <a href=\"#activities\">Activities<\/a>\r\n<a href=\"#information\">Teacher Information<\/a>\r\n  \r\n\r\n<\/nav>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1c9b9bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1c9b9bf\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"why\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-363d256\" data-id=\"363d256\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a2a08b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8a2a08b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Teaching Directions \u2014 Why This Skill Matters<\/h3><p>Capitalizing direction words seems simple, but it\u2019s one of the most common mechanics mistakes upper\u2011elementary students make. The challenge is that <strong>the same word can be capitalized in one sentence and lowercase in the next<\/strong>, and students need a clear way to tell the difference.<\/p><p>Learning when to capitalize <strong>North, South, East, and West<\/strong> helps students:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Write clearly and accurately<\/strong> in informational, narrative, and social studies texts<\/li><li><strong>Recognize regions as proper nouns<\/strong>, an important step toward mastering capitalization rules<\/li><li><strong>Avoid meaning confusion<\/strong>, since capitalization changes whether a word refers to a <em>place<\/em> or a <em>direction<\/em><\/li><li><strong>Prepare for standardized tests<\/strong>, where capitalization questions frequently appear in editing tasks<\/li><\/ul><p>Once students understand the \u201cplace vs. direction\u201d distinction, they begin to notice it everywhere\u2014maps, textbooks, signs, and even everyday conversation. This small skill builds confidence and strengthens their overall command of Standard Written English.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2648b67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2648b67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"lesson\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Teaching Directions Mini-Lesson<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e84d3ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"e84d3ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\r\n.bqml-lesson {\r\n  --teal:#1dbb9d; --navy:#323a49; --purple:#7e4b75; --gold:#f9d342; --cream:#fdf6ee;\r\n\r\n  max-width:760px;\r\n  margin:0 auto;\r\n  color:#2d2d2d;}\r\n.bqml-overview {\r\n  background:var(--cream);\r\n  border-radius:12px;\r\n  padding:20px 26px;\r\n  margin-bottom:22px;\r\n  border:1px solid rgba(50,58,73,.08);\r\n}\r\n.bqml-overview-label {\r\n  font-weight:700;\r\n  font-size:.78rem;\r\n  text-transform:uppercase;\r\n  letter-spacing:.08em;\r\n  color:var(--purple);\r\n  margin-bottom:8px;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-overview p:last-child { margin-bottom:0; }\r\n\r\n.bqml-dots {\r\n  display:flex;\r\n  justify-content:center;\r\n  gap:8px;\r\n  margin-bottom:18px;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-dot {\r\n  width:34px; height:34px;\r\n  border-radius:50%;\r\n  border:none;\r\n  background:rgba(50,58,73,.1);\r\n  color:var(--navy);\r\n \r\n  font-weight:700;\r\n  font-size:.85rem;\r\n  cursor:pointer;\r\n  transition:background .15s, color .15s;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-dot:hover { background:rgba(29,187,157,.25); }\r\n.bqml-dot.is-active { background:var(--teal); color:#fff; }\r\n.bqml-dot.is-complete { background:var(--navy); color:#fff; }\r\n\r\n.bqml-card {\r\n  background:#fff;\r\n  border-radius:14px;\r\n  box-shadow:0 4px 20px rgba(0,0,0,.1);\r\n  padding:30px 32px;\r\n  min-height:180px;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-step { display:none; }\r\n.bqml-step.is-active { display:block; animation:bqml-fade .2s ease; }\r\n@keyframes bqml-fade { from{opacity:0; transform:translateY(4px);} to{opacity:1; transform:translateY(0);} }.bqml-step-title {\r\n  display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px;\r\n  font-weight:800; font-size:1.2rem; color:var(--navy);\r\n  margin:0 0 16px;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-step-num {\r\n  font-size:.72rem; font-weight:700; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.08em;\r\n  background:var(--teal); color:#fff;\r\n  padding:4px 10px; border-radius:999px;\r\n  flex-shrink:0;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-step-body p { margin:0 0 12px; line-height:1.6; }\r\n.bqml-step-body ul, .bqml-step-body ol { margin:0 0 12px; padding-left:22px; }\r\n.bqml-step-body li { margin-bottom:6px; }\r\n.bqml-example {\r\n  background:var(--cream);\r\n  border-left:4px solid var(--purple);\r\n  padding:10px 16px;\r\n  font-style:italic;\r\n  border-radius:0 6px 6px 0;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-chain { font-weight:600; color:var(--navy); }\r\n.bqml-arrow { color:var(--teal); font-weight:800; margin:0 6px; }\r\n\r\n.bqml-controls {\r\n  display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between;\r\n  margin-top:20px;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-btn {\r\n \r\n  font-weight:700; font-size:.88rem;\r\n  border:none; border-radius:999px;\r\n  padding:11px 22px;\r\n  cursor:pointer;\r\n  background:rgba(50,58,73,.08);\r\n  color:var(--navy);\r\n  transition:background .15s, color .15s, opacity .15s;\r\n}\r\n.bqml-btn:hover:not(:disabled) { background:rgba(50,58,73,.16); }\r\n.bqml-btn:disabled { opacity:.4; cursor:default; }\r\n.bqml-btn-primary { background:var(--teal); color:#fff; }\r\n.bqml-btn-primary:hover:not(:disabled) { background:#159c83; }\r\n.bqml-progress {\r\n  font-size:.85rem; font-weight:600; color:#666;\r\n}\r\n\r\n@media (max-width:520px) {\r\n  .bqml-card { padding:22px 20px; }\r\n  .bqml-dot { width:30px; height:30px; font-size:.78rem; }\r\n  .bqml-controls { flex-wrap:wrap; gap:10px; justify-content:center; }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n<div class=\"bqml-lesson\" id=\"bqml-directions\">\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"bqml-overview\">\r\n    <p class=\"bqml-overview-label\">Mini-Lesson Overview<\/p>\r\n    <p>This short lesson helps students learn the three-part test for capitalizing direction words (north, south, east, west) &mdash; compass directions, descriptions, and named regions. It takes about 10 minutes and works well before any editing, informational writing, or map-related activity.<\/p>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"bqml-stepper\">\r\n    <div class=\"bqml-dots\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"Mini-lesson steps\">\r\n      <button class=\"bqml-dot is-active\" type=\"button\" data-step=\"1\" aria-selected=\"true\">1<\/button>\r\n      <button class=\"bqml-dot\" type=\"button\" data-step=\"2\" aria-selected=\"false\">2<\/button>\r\n      <button class=\"bqml-dot\" type=\"button\" data-step=\"3\" aria-selected=\"false\">3<\/button>\r\n      <button class=\"bqml-dot\" type=\"button\" data-step=\"4\" aria-selected=\"false\">4<\/button>\r\n      <button class=\"bqml-dot\" type=\"button\" data-step=\"5\" aria-selected=\"false\">5<\/button>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"bqml-card\">\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"bqml-step is-active\" data-step=\"1\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"bqml-step-title\"><span class=\"bqml-step-num\">Step 1<\/span>Introduce the Rule<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"bqml-step-body\">\r\n          <p>Direction words are lowercase by default. They're only capitalized when they name a formal, recognized place &mdash; not just any general area.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Three quick tests:<\/p>\r\n          <ul>\r\n            <li><strong>Compass Directions<\/strong> &mdash; lowercase when giving movement or direction (\"head northeast,\" \"blew in from the west\")<\/li>\r\n            <li><strong>Descriptions<\/strong> &mdash; lowercase for a general, unnamed area (\"the north of Maine\"), but capitalize when it's part of an official name (\"North Carolina,\" \"South Dakota\")<\/li>\r\n            <li><strong>Regions<\/strong> &mdash; lowercase unless it's a recognized, named region (\"the Deep South,\" \"Western Europe,\" \"the Northeastern Championship\")<\/li>\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"bqml-step\" data-step=\"2\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"bqml-step-title\"><span class=\"bqml-step-num\">Step 2<\/span>Show a Quick Example<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"bqml-step-body\">\r\n          <p>Write these two sentences:<\/p>\r\n          <p class=\"bqml-example\">From Atlanta, head northeast on I-85 to reach Charlotte.<\/p>\r\n          <p class=\"bqml-example\">My family is from the Deep South.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Ask students:<\/p>\r\n          <ul>\r\n            <li>Why is one lowercase and one capitalized?<\/li>\r\n            <li>Which one is a formal name, and which is just a direction?<\/li>\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n          <p>Explain that capitalization depends on whether the word names a place or simply points the way.<\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"bqml-step\" data-step=\"3\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"bqml-step-title\"><span class=\"bqml-step-num\">Step 3<\/span>Try It Together<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"bqml-step-body\">\r\n          <p>Give students this sentence:<\/p>\r\n          <p class=\"bqml-example\">We traveled through the north of Maine, but the mountains are in western North Carolina.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Ask:<\/p>\r\n          <ul>\r\n            <li>Which direction word is a general description?<\/li>\r\n            <li>Which one is part of an official state name?<\/li>\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n          <p>Guide them to see that \"north of Maine\" stays lowercase (general area), while \"North Carolina\" stays capitalized (official name) &mdash; the same kind of word doing two different jobs.<\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"bqml-step\" data-step=\"4\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"bqml-step-title\"><span class=\"bqml-step-num\">Step 4<\/span>Independent Practice<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"bqml-step-body\">\r\n          <p>Give students a sentence and ask them to decide whether the direction word should be capitalized.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Example:<\/p>\r\n          <p class=\"bqml-example\">The Atlantic Ocean borders Georgia in the eastern part of the state.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Students identify: stays lowercase &mdash; a general description, not a formal region.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Second example:<\/p>\r\n          <p class=\"bqml-example\">Meghan won the Northeastern Championship.<\/p>\r\n          <p>Students identify: stays capitalized &mdash; part of an official name.<\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"bqml-step\" data-step=\"5\">\r\n        <h3 class=\"bqml-step-title\"><span class=\"bqml-step-num\">Step 5<\/span>Connect to Writing<\/h3>\r\n        <div class=\"bqml-step-body\">\r\n          <p>Ask students to check a sentence from their own writing for direction words and apply the three tests: Is it a compass direction? A general description? Or part of a formal name?<\/p>\r\n          <p class=\"bqml-chain\">We drove through the deep south on our trip. <span class=\"bqml-arrow\">&rarr;<\/span> We drove through the Deep South on our trip.<\/p>\r\n          <p>This helps students apply capitalization rules accurately to their own writing.<\/p>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"bqml-controls\">\r\n      <button class=\"bqml-btn bqml-prev\" type=\"button\" disabled>&larr; Back<\/button>\r\n      <span class=\"bqml-progress\">Step <span class=\"bqml-progress-current\">1<\/span> of 5<\/span>\r\n      <button class=\"bqml-btn bqml-btn-primary bqml-next\" type=\"button\">Next &rarr;<\/button>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div> <script>\r\n(function () {\r\n  document.querySelectorAll('.bqml-lesson').forEach(function (lesson) {\r\n    var steps = lesson.querySelectorAll('.bqml-step');\r\n    var dots = lesson.querySelectorAll('.bqml-dot');\r\n    var prevBtn = lesson.querySelector('.bqml-prev');\r\n    var nextBtn = lesson.querySelector('.bqml-next');\r\n    var progressCurrent = lesson.querySelector('.bqml-progress-current');\r\n    var total = steps.length;\r\n    var current = 1;\r\n\r\n    function render() {\r\n      steps.forEach(function (step) {\r\n        step.classList.toggle('is-active', parseInt(step.dataset.step, 10) === current);\r\n      });\r\n      dots.forEach(function (dot) {\r\n        var n = parseInt(dot.dataset.step, 10);\r\n        dot.classList.toggle('is-active', n === current);\r\n        dot.classList.toggle('is-complete', n < current);\r\n        dot.setAttribute('aria-selected', n === current ? 'true' : 'false');\r\n      });\r\n      prevBtn.disabled = current === 1;\r\n      nextBtn.textContent = current === total ? 'Restart \\u2192' : 'Next \\u2192';\r\n      progressCurrent.textContent = current;\r\n      lesson.querySelector('.bqml-card').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    prevBtn.addEventListener('click', function () {\r\n      if (current > 1) { current--; render(); }\r\n    });\r\n    nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function () {\r\n      current = current === total ? 1 : current + 1;\r\n      render();\r\n    });\r\n    dots.forEach(function (dot) {\r\n      dot.addEventListener('click', function () {\r\n        current = parseInt(dot.dataset.step, 10);\r\n        render();\r\n      });\r\n    });\r\n  });\r\n})();\r\n<\/script>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3c695b5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3c695b5\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"handout\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-65a9530\" data-id=\"65a9530\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d727586 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d727586\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You\u2019ll find the materials here:\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Grab your handouts here.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6133202 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6133202\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/writing\/capitalization\/Capitalizing-Direction-Words.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-paper-plane\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Grab your handouts here.<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ae3124 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ae3124\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"activities\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Teaching Directions Activities<\/h2><h3>Activity #1 &#8211; Anchor Chart<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3eb8cc4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3eb8cc4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4725980\" data-id=\"4725980\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1e45b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b1e45b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/writing\/capitalization\/geographicregions.png\" title=\"\" alt=\"Teaching Directions - Anchor Chart with Rules for Capitalizing North, South, East, and West\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e22d522\" data-id=\"e22d522\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19240a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"19240a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Set the stage with a student-friendly chart that summarizes the three rules, accompanied by relevant examples. Add a graphic (a compass is perfect!) to help spatial learners visualize the concept. This chart works well as a standalone or in conjunction with the foldable organizer. Bonus: It makes an excellent reference during the sorting activity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a59fe75 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a59fe75\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8bca027\" data-id=\"8bca027\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee836f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee836f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Activity #2 &#8211; Sorting Activity<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b1f4e3a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b1f4e3a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e17ab17\" data-id=\"e17ab17\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51e4280 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"51e4280\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/writing\/capitalization\/when-should-i-capitalize-direction-words.png\" title=\"\" alt=\"Teaching Directions - Sorting Activity for Upper Elementary - When Should I Capitalize North, South, East, and West\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2d604d3\" data-id=\"2d604d3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47e9507 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47e9507\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Let students become grammar cartographers. They\u2019ll assemble three labeled pockets in their notebooks and sort direction phrases into the correct category: compass direction, regional name, or description. The included cards make this fast to prep and fun to explore. Plus, it\u2019s easy to check understanding without a single worksheet.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0bcf24f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0bcf24f\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"information\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-499b4a9\" data-id=\"499b4a9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3920058 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3920058\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Teacher Section<\/h2><h3 dir=\"ltr\">Common Misconceptions<\/h3><ul dir=\"ltr\"><li>Students often think all direction words are capitalized because they\u2019re &#8220;official-sounding,&#8221; or that none are capitalized because they seem like common everyday words.<\/li><li>Students may treat \u201ccapitalize if it\u2019s part of a place name\u201d and \u201ccapitalize if it\u2019s a region&#8221; as the same rule, missing that a general description (&#8220;the north of Maine&#8221;) and an official name (&#8220;North Carolina&#8221;) can use the very same word differently.<\/li><li>Students sometimes assume capitalization rules stay consistent across every use of a direction word in a single piece of writing, without checking each instance individually.<\/li><\/ul><h3 dir=\"ltr\">Differentiation Tips<\/h3><ul dir=\"ltr\"><li><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong>Beginning:<\/strong><\/span> Start with the clearest cases, such as compass directions in a sentence (&#8220;head northeast&#8221;) versus a state name (&#8220;North Carolina&#8221;), before introducing the trickier \u201cgeneral area vs. named region&#8221; distinction.<\/li><li><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong>Advanced:<\/strong><\/span> Challenge students to find and correctly capitalize direction words in a real news article or nonfiction passage, where all three rules are likely to appear naturally.<\/li><li><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><strong>Multilingual learners:<\/strong><\/span> Capitalization conventions vary significantly across languages. Some capitalize far more or far less than English. It\u2019s worth naming that this is an English-specific convention rather than a universal rule of writing.<\/li><\/ul><h3 dir=\"ltr\">Where This Shows Up in Student Writing<\/h3><p dir=\"ltr\">Watch for direction words in informational or research writing, especially in geography, social studies, or travel-narrative pieces. This is where the three-part test gets real use, since students are naming actual regions and places rather than working from a worksheet.<\/p><h3 dir=\"ltr\">Quick Formative Check<\/h3><p dir=\"ltr\">Give students one sentence with a lowercase direction word and one with a capitalized one, and ask them to explain why each is correct using the three-part test (compass direction, description, or named region). Explaining the reasoning, not just getting the answer right, shows real understanding.<\/p><h3 dir=\"ltr\">How It Shows Up on Tests<\/h3><p dir=\"ltr\">Capitalizing direction words is a common standardized-test editing question, often testing the exact distinction this lesson focuses on: a general description versus part of an official name.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Still need the handouts? No worries, I won\u2019t make you retrace your steps.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4bcc31 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e4bcc31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/writing\/capitalization\/Capitalizing-Direction-Words.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-paper-plane\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Grab your handouts here.<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5632164 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5632164\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a20d6c5\" data-id=\"a20d6c5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6e10b13 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6e10b13\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c0561a\" data-id=\"1c0561a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75ecc80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"75ecc80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Teaching-Capitalization-and-Punctuation-with-Animated-Shorts-7445038?st=e97cf49baa672bf440d9424f28c850b4\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/grammar\/double-negatives\/grammar-practice-sixth-grade.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Teaching Grammar with Animated Shorts\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-20a32e9\" data-id=\"20a32e9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d149b70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d149b70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-testid=\"HelpfulButton\"><!--StartFragment --><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Looking for a way to make grammar stick? These TPT lessons combine <strong>video instruction, animated shorts<\/strong>, and <strong>printable games<\/strong> to bring grammar to life. Students get clear visuals, engaging stories, and fun practice with concepts like prepositions, punctuation, and verb tenses\u2014all in one easy-to-use bundle.<\/span><\/p><p data-testid=\"HelpfulButton\"><!--EndFragment --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cfe89b elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2cfe89b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Teaching-6th-Grade-Grammar-with-Animated-Shorts-7622429\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-shopping-cart\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Visit TPT to shop.<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eda5da2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"eda5da2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.2 - 22-02-2023 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9fa4000 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9fa4000\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d6488b6\" data-id=\"d6488b6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-08f7054 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"08f7054\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6cf90c0\" data-id=\"6cf90c0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c859d0d\" data-id=\"c859d0d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a67f33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"5a67f33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"series-nav\">\r\n  <div class=\"series-nav-hub-card\">\r\n    <img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/workshop\/grammar\/images\/grammar.webp\" alt=\"Grammar Hub\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/workshop\/grammar\/grammar-hub.html\" class=\"series-nav-hub-btn\">\r\n      <i class=\"fas fa-compass me-2\"><\/i>Grammar Hub\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n \r\n<style>\r\n.series-nav { display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; gap:32px; flex-wrap:wrap; padding:40px 20px; }\r\n.series-nav-hub-card { background:#fff; border-radius:16px; overflow:hidden; box-shadow:0 6px 20px rgba(0,0,0,.12); width:260px; }\r\n.series-nav-hub-card img { width:100%; display:block; }\r\n.series-nav-hub-btn { display:block; text-align:center; background:var(--gold); color:var(--navy); font-family:'Montserrat',sans-serif; font-weight:700; font-size:1.4rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.04em; text-decoration:none; padding:14px 12px; }\r\n.series-nav-hub-btn:hover { background:#e8c02f; color:var(--navy); }\r\n.series-nav-side { display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:16px; }\r\n.series-nav-pill { display:inline-block; padding:12px 24px; border:2px solid var(--teal); color:var(--teal); border-radius:50px; font-family:'Montserrat',sans-serif; font-weight:700; font-size:.85rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; text-decoration:none; transition:background .2s, color .2s; }\r\n.series-nav-pill:hover { background:var(--teal); color:#fff; }\r\n@media(max-width:576px){ .series-nav{flex-direction:column;} .series-nav-side{flex-direction:row;} }\r\n<\/style>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e0df362\" data-id=\"e0df362\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed3471c elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ed3471c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=7361\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-arrow-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Previous<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d345e4 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1d345e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=427\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-right\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Next<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-22e9f75 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"22e9f75\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f554d53\" data-id=\"f554d53\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22fc91e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"22fc91e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"644\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/nametransparent.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2320\" alt=\"Gay Miller\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/nametransparent.png 644w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/nametransparent-282x300.png 282w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/nametransparent-600x637.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 644px) 100vw, 644px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b1281cc\" data-id=\"b1281cc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do your students know when to capitalize directions? Most second graders proudly capitalize cities, states, and countries like seasoned travelers with a passport and a pencil, but those pesky direction words? A whole different compass. Whether it\u2019s North Carolina or just \u201cheading northeast,\u201d students often struggle to decide when north, south, east, and west deserve &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=7361\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13979,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[43],"tags":[801],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Teaching Directions: A Simple Guide for Upper Elementary - Book Units Teacher<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn easy rules for teaching directions and capitalizing north, south, east, and west with sorting practice and clear examples.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=7361\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Teaching Directions: A Simple Guide for Upper Elementary - 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