Subjects/Courses: Geography and Math
Grade Level: First Grade
Standards/Eligible Content:
Geography: 7.1.1.A Identify geographic tools
Vocabulary: Compass, Compass Rose, North, South, East, West
Objectives: Students will understand understand how to use a compass and will know the cardinal directions.
Lesson Essential Question(s): How do I use a compass?
Duration: 2 periods; 45 minutes each
Materials:
Suggested Instructional Strategies: Think-Pair-Share
Instructional Procedures:
Activating Question: When you need to go somewhere, how do you know where to go?
Video:
Grade Level: First Grade
Standards/Eligible Content:
Geography: 7.1.1.A Identify geographic tools
Vocabulary: Compass, Compass Rose, North, South, East, West
Objectives: Students will understand understand how to use a compass and will know the cardinal directions.
Lesson Essential Question(s): How do I use a compass?
Duration: 2 periods; 45 minutes each
Materials:
- Computer / Smart Board
- North, South, East, and West for Children Youtube Video
- Compasses (1 per student)
- Labels - North, South, East, West
- Compass Rose Worksheet
- Maps - World, Continent, Country, State, County, City (images for smartboard)
- Printed Maps
- Question Worksheet
- Map Reading Worksheet (1 per student)
Suggested Instructional Strategies: Think-Pair-Share
Instructional Procedures:
Activating Question: When you need to go somewhere, how do you know where to go?
Video:
Hands-on: Each student should be given a compass. Explain that the compass is pointing north when the arrow is pointing to the "N". Have students attempt to find North. As students find North label the direction. Guide students through finding the other cardinal directions and label the room as they do.
Activity: Distribute compass rose paper. Have students label and then decorate their own compass rose.
Lesson: Display a world map on the board. Ask for a volunteer to come and point out the compass rose. Ask what is the importance of a compass rose? Have students think-pair-share before starting the class discussion.
Lesson: Display several maps (world, continent, country, state, county, city, etc) that are upside down or sideways. Students need to find the compass rose and tell how to orient the map correctly. More or less maps can be used based on student understanding.
Activity: Students should find a place around the room. The teacher should call out a direction and students should face the direction, using the labels as needed.
Lesson: Display a map and practice using the cardinal directions. If I live in New York, what direction do I need to travel to visit Pennsylvania?
Stations: Break students into groups of four. Each group should be given a different map. Questions about the maps should be answered in as a group. Groups should rotate to visit all of the maps.
Practice: Students Should complete the Map Reading worksheet independently to demonstrate their knowledge. This activity will serve as the summative assessment for this lesson.
Extension: Students should be paired up, and one should be blindfolded. Using cardinal directions the sighted student should guide the other through an obstacle course.
Extension: Make your own compass -- Stop at 1:30
Activity: Distribute compass rose paper. Have students label and then decorate their own compass rose.
Lesson: Display a world map on the board. Ask for a volunteer to come and point out the compass rose. Ask what is the importance of a compass rose? Have students think-pair-share before starting the class discussion.
Lesson: Display several maps (world, continent, country, state, county, city, etc) that are upside down or sideways. Students need to find the compass rose and tell how to orient the map correctly. More or less maps can be used based on student understanding.
Activity: Students should find a place around the room. The teacher should call out a direction and students should face the direction, using the labels as needed.
Lesson: Display a map and practice using the cardinal directions. If I live in New York, what direction do I need to travel to visit Pennsylvania?
Stations: Break students into groups of four. Each group should be given a different map. Questions about the maps should be answered in as a group. Groups should rotate to visit all of the maps.
Practice: Students Should complete the Map Reading worksheet independently to demonstrate their knowledge. This activity will serve as the summative assessment for this lesson.
Extension: Students should be paired up, and one should be blindfolded. Using cardinal directions the sighted student should guide the other through an obstacle course.
Extension: Make your own compass -- Stop at 1:30
Formative Assessment: This lesson focuses on a compass and the use of cardinal directions. The teacher should observe during both the practice sessions and the activities to gauge student understanding. Additional practice can be provided as needed.
Related Materials & Resources:
By Shyamal (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
HooplaKidzLab. (2013, December 6). How to make a homemade compass [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=QiSp6pGe0w0&feature=youtu.be
Nellie and Ned. (2014, August 7). North, south, east and west for children | Learning direction for kids - Educational Videos [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxGL8PjeVr8&feature=youtu.be