Using a Compass and Learning the 4 Cardinal Directions

Social Studies and Science

This activity is a follow up to the previous lesson (Making a Simple Compass).

Materials Needed

• compass 
• world maps(s)
• signs: North, South, East, West
• pen/pencil
• crayons/markers
• lodestone (optional) (Today it is called magnetite.)

clipart by www.graphicsfactory.com

Directions:

1. Review definition of a compass (a tool used to find directions).
2. Depending on the ages/grade levels of students introduce/review the 4 Cardinal Directions. (North, South, East, West)
3. Use a compass to locate North (South, East, and West).
4. With the help of the students hang up signs in the room labeling each Cardinal Direction. Older students can make their own signs or you can download the Free Labels below. Younger students can color in the Free black and white labels.
5. Give each student a handout of a world map. Have them label the 4 Cardinal Directions.
6. Tell the students that Magnes, a Greek Shepard, discovered lodestone (a natural magnetic stone). Show children Greece on a world map.
7. Discuss how the Chinese used magnets as the 1st compass and show China on a world map.
8. Have the children color/label Greece and China on a world map.
9. Older children can research Magnes, lodestone, and the first compass. 
               

You can visit Learning Workroom's website for a free copy of Cardinal Directions Labels (plus free cardinal directions worksheets) that you can download and print.

Click here: http://www.LearningWorkroom.com 

At the website, click on Free Worksheets    

You can visit Free World Maps for a free map that you can download and print.

Click here: http://www.freeworldmaps.net/ 

 

 

Earth Exercise and Simon Says Geography Game

This little activity can be a Physical Education (Latitude) Stretching Exercise or a Science and Social Studies (Latitude) Game.

Vocabulary: Earth, North Pole, South Pole, Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricon

As a Physical Education Stretching Exercise

1. Tell the children that they are going to pretend that they are the Earth.
2. The teacher/leader will call out the vocabulary terms relating to Latitude.
3. The students job is the place their hands on the part of their body that corresponds to the LATITUDE of the Earth.

• North Pole ... place both hands on their head
• South Pole ... place both hands on their ankles or feet
• Equator ... place both hands on their waist
• Tropic of Cancer ... place both hands on their shoulders
• Tropic of Capricon ... place both hands on their knees

North Pole

South Pole

If you have a globe and or map, have the kids also locate these lines of latitude on the globe and/or map.

clipart by www.graphicsfactory.com

As a Science/Social Studies/ Physical Education GAME

After the children have become familiar with the vocabulary terms and locations, they can play this as a SIMON SAYS Geography GAME

Example: "Simon says touch the North Pole."
                "Simon says touch the Equator."
                "Touch the South Pole."

HAVE FUN! This game usually gets lots of laughs.

Linking up to this post at Minds in Bloom:
http://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2012/04/get-those-kids-moving-link-up.html

FREE Online Dictionary

Whatever the topic.......animals or something else....it is important to have a good dictionary.
.
Here is a wonderful one!

CLICK HERE: http://www.merriam-webster.com

clipart by www.GraphicsFactory.com

This online dictionary will even pronounce the word for you! :)

WELCOME!!!!!

WELCOME! WELCOME! WELCOME!
    to Learning Ideas - Grades K - 8

clipart by www.GraphicsFactory.com


Please "follow" our blog!