TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Northward Ho!
In this activity, students will create their own simple compass, be able to explain how a compass works, understand that the Earth's magnetic field has both horizontal and vertical components, and learn more about cardinal directions.
SMART Technologies
Smart: Geography Unit: Maps
This geography unit is designed to follow the 1st Grade geography skills required in Virginia. Students are expected to use cardinal directions, read map keys and understand map symbols, as well as identify our city and capital.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Math: Bus Station: Position on a Map
Help Jamal read maps, describe directions, and identify coordinates in this series of interactive exercises.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Topo Triangulation
In this activity, students will learn how to read a topographical map and how to triangulate with just a map. True triangulation requires both a map and compass, but to simplify the activity and make it possible indoors, the compass...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Are We There Yet? Test How Migratory Birds Navigate
How do you figure out how to get places? Do you ask for directions, look at a map, or consult a compass? There are many ways for people to figure out how to travel from one place to another, but how do other animals do it? In this...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Christopher Columbus
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students recognize why we celebrate Columbus Day as related to the story of Christopher Columbus. Students explore the route taken from Spain to the Americas and how long this voyage took by using a...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Introduction to Maps
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students are expected to: explain the purpose of a map; identify and use a compass rose; use a grid to locate objects on maps; and use a map key. Activities are hands-on with students manipulating...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Classroom Triangles
In this activity, students will use bearing measurements to triangulate and determine objects' locations. Working in teams of two or three, students must put on their investigative hats as they take bearing measurements to specified...
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute: Make Your Own Weather Station
This page, provided by the Franklin Institute, shows you how to become an amateur meteorologist. Directions on how to construct a weather station include the barometer, hygrometer, rain gauge, weather vane, and compass.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Maps Globe Skills
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart discusses landforms, mapping and the Compass Rose. Students can practice using Cardinal Directions and use Activotes.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Let's Learn
This collection of resources for children ages 3-8 are drawn from the public television series Let's Learn, a partnership between the WNET Group and the New York City Department of Education. Let's Learn aims to provide our young...
US Mint
United States Mint: In Mr. Lincoln's Shoes [Pdf]
Using the study of President Abraham Lincoln as a guide, students demonstrate basic map skills including cardinal directions and how to use a compass rose.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Where Is Here?
In this lesson, young scholars are shown the very basics of navigation. The concepts of relative and absolute location, latitude, longitude and cardinal directions are discussed, as well as the use and principles of a map and compass.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Magnets and Electricity: Creating Magnetism With Electricity
Students will work in small groups to design at least one complete circuit using multiple materials. They will record their observations of how they created an electrical circuit using diagrams and notes in their journals. Using a...
PBS
Pbs: Rough Science: Weather Station
PBS asks users to imagine that they are in the tropics and need to get a reliable weather forecast. It provides instructions on how to build a wind vane, construct a compass, make a barometer and find the dew point.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science: Earth Science: Introduction to Earth's Surface
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Explains how to find a location and direction on Earth's surface. Discusses topography and various landforms and how they form.
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize Geography: Os Map Skills
A short tutorial on mapping tools and how to read maps. Covers features of maps, symbols, the compass, scale, distance, how height is represented, and grid references. Includes multiple-choice quiz at the end.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Nctm: Figure This: Airport Runways
Why are airport runways numbered? The math challenge is to figure out the missing runway number.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: Keep Your Own Weather Journal
This site, which is provided for by the Franklin Institute Online, gives a format for keeping a weather journal.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Bearings 2
[Free Registration/Login Required] This is a flipchart introducing student to compass bearings. It can be followed by flipchart bearings going further in depth of bearing orientation.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Maps and Globes
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews map and globe features. The seven continents, four oceans, and city-county-state-country relationships are also explained. Student assessment on directions is included.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Drawing Magnetic Fields
Students use a compass and a permanent magnet to trace the magnetic field lines produced by the magnet. By positioning the compass in enough spots around the magnet, the overall magnet field will be evident from the collection of arrows...
Discovering Lewis & Clark
Discovering Lewis & Clark: Portage Route Survey
Features an example of a route survey conducted by William Clark in 1805 of the falls, rapids, cascades and ravines from the lower portage camp to the upper falls (Black Eagle) and beyond, using a circumferentor (surveyor's compass) to...