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

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
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...
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

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

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

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

In Mr. Lincoln's Shoes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students demonstrate basic map skills. In this US history lesson, students review cardinal directions and use a compass rose while at the same time discuss what life was like for Abraham Lincoln.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaf, Tree and Prairie Study

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students are introduced to the topic of Botany and the process of photosynthesis. Using various habitats, they research the amount of destruction it is facing and how to solve the problem. They make a leaf booklet with leaves they find...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the World? The Basics of Latitude and Longitude

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students are introduced to the concepts of latitude and longitude. In groups, they identify the Earth's magnetic field and the disadvantages of using compasses for navigation. They identify the major lines of latitude and longitude on a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cardinal and Ordinal Directions

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use a compass to locate cardinal and ordinal directions. In small groups, they describe and create a journey for their classmates using their compass. Groups create a scale map for their classmates to follow and relate this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cave Activity: Mapping Fractures

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students tour a cave and observe fractures in the cave's ceiling. They record characteristics of the fracture. They locate three major passages in the cave and ten major fractures.
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Construct an Equilateral Triangle (part 1)

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Drawing circles isn't the only thing compasses are good for. In this first installment of a 36-part series, high schoolers learn how to draw equilateral triangles by investigating real-world situations, such as finding the location of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow the Light

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Here is another in the interesting series of lessons that use the special State Quarters as a learning tool. During this instructional activity, pupils learn about lighthouses, maps, the cardinal directions on a compass, and U.S....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where's Up?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders brainstorm answers to the question why compasses point north. In groups, they use introduce the needle to the different ends of the magnet. They place the needles in a styroform disk and record their results in their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Location, Location

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders draw and interpret simple scale maps, use maps to move around efficiently or plans to propose actions. They use of a compass to specify and find directions. They display and discuss a map of the local region.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Magnetotactic Bacteria to Study Natural Selection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe bacteria that are able to orient themselves using the Earth's magnetic field.They comprehend the difference between anaerobic and aerobic organisms. Students can tell the difference of the shape of magnetic force field...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Map for Me: An Original Story

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students read Blackbeard and brainstorm their knowledge of maps. In this language arts and geography lesson, students use landmarks on their playground to review north, south, east and west and discuss the compass rose. Students read...
Lesson Plan
PHET

Measuring the Interplanetary Magnetic Field

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Scientists need to figure out how to measure interplanetary magnetic fields, but the magnetic field of the spacecraft is interfering with their readings. Scholars attempt to solve the problem that has perplexed NASA scientists for years.

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