Curated OER
Compass Rose Activity
Which direction is which? Use this compass rose labeling learning exercise to practice with basic directions as learners fill in the compass themselves. They use cardinal and intermediate direction abbreviations. Consider using their...
Curated OER
Compass Rose
Keep it simple and visual when practicing directions using this compass rose labeling worksheet. Learners fill in the compass themselves, using cardinal and intermediate direction abbreviations. North is done for them. Consider using...
Curated OER
Learning Directions on a Map
Students use north, south, east, and west to identify relative locations and provide directions.
Curated OER
People Change the Landscape
Students examine ways in which humans have brought change to the natural environment. In this ecology and literacy instructional activity, students listen to the book Island Boy by Barbara Cooney. Students observe and define map-reading...
Curated OER
Our City
Second graders familiarize themselves with the town they live in by practicing their imagination, library research and writing skills.
Calvin Crest Outdoor School
Survival
Equip young campers with important survival knowledge with a set of engaging lessons. Teammates work together to complete three outdoor activities, which include building a shelter, starting a campfire, and finding directions in the...
Curated OER
Forest Fun
Students explore orienteering and how to use a compass. They explore the importance of forests and identify some of the trees in a local forest.
Curated OER
Christopher Columbus: The Man, the Myth, the Legend
Learn more about maps by examining Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Kindergartners will learn about basic map skills and how to identify the compass rose, oceans, and land masses. They will also discover the purpose of...
California Academy of Science
Which Way is North?
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...
Curated OER
True North, Magnetic North
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.
PHET
Mapping the Ambient Magnetic Field
No GPS allowed! High school scientists continue to explore magnetic fields with a hands-on activity. After mapping the ambient magnetic field in the classroom and completing data analysis, they write about the similarities and...
Texas State University
Earth: Deposition and Lithification
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
Curated OER
Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589
Students investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages. In this geography lesson plan, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited. Students create an...
Scholastic
Reading Characters
Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass provides the text for a study of how writers bring characters to life. Using the provided character mapping worksheets, readers respond to questions and then write a short character sketch.
Curated OER
Mapping It Out
This PowerPoint provides information about maps. Students discover the functions of legends, compasses, indexes, and scales on maps. Two resources links are provided, however one of them is broken.
Curated OER
Map Making/Floor Plans/Map Reading
Students apply their knowledge of scale when mapping the classroom. They determine the use of a map legend and orient a map using a compass. They create the classroom maps using transfer graph paper.
Curated OER
Map Creation
Second graders identify a map, symbol, key, and compass rose. Students create and print a map for teacher evaluation using the computer. Students identify the symbols on their map and orally present them to the class.
Curated OER
Mapping Your Schoolyard Habitat
Students explore the terrain, structures, plants and signs of habitats around their schoolyard. They draw a sketch map showing the different areas around the schoolyard. Students identify the location of weeds and native plants on their...
Curated OER
Orienteering Lessons - Overview
Welcome to the Orienteering lesson plans page. There is a short introduction to the topic and links to the ten lessons in this unit. There is also a linkto the unit home page. This orienteering unit is worth taking a look at.
Curated OER
Orienteering - Introductory Lesson
Gain knowledge of directions and degrees while learning how to read a compass. NEWS - north, east, west, south, and everything in between. It's crucial to be accurate in reading a compass and understanding degrees and direction when...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 9 - Declination
What's the difference between true north and magnetic north? Lesson 9 has your class practicing mapping using a compass and taking the correct declination into account. This lesson plan is one part of a 10 lesson plan unit on...
Curated OER
Making Maps
First graders create a map of their classroom that can be used to find a hidden treasure. They examine two- and three-dimensional objects and discover characteristics.
Curated OER
Making Maps
In this map making worksheet, students learn about the science of making maps, which is cartography. They then answer the 11 questions on the worksheet. The answers are on the last page.
Curated OER
Map Making with Lewis and Clark
Learners develop maps based on a virtual internet expedition of The Louisiana Purchase land area. They create the maps based on an actual outdoor expedition of their communities. Student create two maps, one based on the Louisiana...