Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Magnetic Fields: Making a Compass

For Teachers 4th
What better way to understand how an object works than to make one! Learners take what they learned in the previous lessons and construct their own compasses. Using a needle, water, and styrofoam, they build and test compasses and verify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circle Compass Course

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students practice using a compass for directions. They use a compass to set and walk a designated course. In addition, they discuss careers and recreation that utilize a compass.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compass Building Instructions

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students build their own compass following a given procedure. In this technology lesson plan, students explain how a compass is used in navigation. They trace the history of its development.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Your Own Compass

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore magnetism.  In this "magnets" science lesson, students make a compass with common household items and explain the relationship between what a compass does and the earth's magnetic fields.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth and the Compass

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders construct a water compass to investigate the effects of Earth's magnetic field and other sources of magnetism. They predict, observe and draw conclusions from their investigation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compass Rose

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders practice identifying the four cardinal directions. After locating a compass rose on a map, 2nd graders explain each point that corresponds to a direction. Using a toy ship as a manipulative on a map, students observe its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compass Rose

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students describe the movement of the Earth as it relates to the sun. They construct a permanent compass rose and use it to find directions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

True North, Magnetic North

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explain why compass angles need to be corrected for regional magnetic variation. They observe the difference between magnetic and true north. Each student measures the angle of variation for a town in a different state.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Combining Map and Compass

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners practice using the map and compass to find a location. In this geography instructional activity series, students identify basic requirements needed when traveling in the wilderness. They plan a healthy menu for a backpacking trip.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Magnet / Compass

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the components of a compass and how it is utilized to determine geographical directions. The magnetic field of Earth and the magnet used to magnetize the needle used in the experiment are compared and contrasted in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Reading a Compass

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars demonstrate how to take bearings using a compass. In pairs, they select objects in the classroom then write down its first initial and bearing. They exchange papers and try to disciver their partner's object.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orienteering - The Fundamentals

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students investigate the concept of a compass and it has been used in the past and in modern times. They practice using it in the wilderness in order to test its importance in various exploring activities. Each activity is accompanied by...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Which Way is North?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Who needs a compass to find cardinal directions? Just place a stick in the ground and record the movement of its shadow over the course of a day. Then, measure the shadow lengths in order to determine a north-south line. A simple...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using a Compass Rose

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore geography by completing a mapping activity in class. In this directional lesson, 2nd graders examine a map in class and utilize a compass rose to identify their location and destination. Students write directions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetism: What is a Magnetic Field?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students make a compass.  In this magnetism lesson, students use the Internet to research magnetic fields and perform an experiment to find the magnetic fields around different magnets.  Students use the Internet to research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: Northward Ho!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars design a simple compass. They examine how the Earth's magnetic field has both horizontal and vertical components. They determine how a compass works and work with cardinal directions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding the Way

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify and research navigational tools used in deep sea explorations. They are introduced to a compass, the Global Positioning System and sonar technology and then describe their uses in underwater exploration.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Topo Map Mania!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and use topographical maps. They also use a compass to find bearing to an object on a map and in the classroom. Ask your students how they might travel to somewhere they have never been to befo
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnets

For Teachers K - 8th
Students explore how the earth is a magnet and that magnets have two "poles".  In this magnetic instructional activity students complete an activity by designing their own compass. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

School Sleuths Treasure Map

For Teachers K - 5th
Students are explained how a grid and compass work. They are also explained that archaeologists use grids as a record of the exact location of artifacts. Students define the term datum as a point of reference on grids from which all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

North, South, East, and West

For Teachers 3rd
A basic lesson on the teaching of the cardinal directions awaits your class. They are directed to go to different parts of the playground and where they attempt to describe their location in relation to each other by using the cardinal...
Assessment
Balanced Assessment

Plenty of Pentagons

For Students 6th - 8th
Why are only four colors needed to color webs from regular pentagons, not five? An assessment task requires young mathematicians to first construct regular pentagons using a compass and straightedge, then has them consider a shape...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetism

For Teachers 5th - 8th
This set of seven activities attracts physical science stars to concepts concerning magnetism. Pupils play with a lodestone, magnets, needles, and iron filings to understand magnetic forces, fields, and applications. If you are new to...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Magnetic Fields: The Earth Acts as a Giant Magnet

For Teachers 4th
Attract learners to an interesting lesson plan! The third in a 14-part series of lessons on electricity and magnetism uses a hands-on approach to exploring magnetic fields. Scholars experiment with a compass to test Earth's magnetic...

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