Curated OER
As the Kids Come and Go: Mapping a Classroom
Map the classroom with your kids to help them understand how maps work and how to read them. The activity starts off with a story about animals living and moving around the globe, and then kids create maps of their classroom to show how...
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
Compass Rose Activity
Which direction is which? Use this compass rose labeling worksheet to practice with basic directions as learners fill in the compass themselves. They use cardinal and intermediate direction abbreviations. Consider using their compass on...
Curated OER
Compass Rose
Keep it simple and visual when practicing directions using this compass rose labeling learning exercise. Learners fill in the compass themselves, using cardinal and intermediate direction abbreviations. North is done for them. Consider...
Curated OER
True North, Magnetic North
Young scholars 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.
Curated OER
United States Map
Students access prior knowledge and locate the North and South Poles on the map. In this mapping lesson, students understand the position of the United States relative to the poles. Students answer questions about the globe.
It's About Time
The Electricity and Magnetism Connection
Magnets don't grow in fields, but magnetic fields are important to understand. The lesson covers the effect electricity has on magnetic fields. Scholars use a compass, magnets, and electrical wire to test magnetic fields and energy...
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...
Curated OER
All About the Animals
Whose footprints are those? After reading Janet Halfmann's book, Little Skink's Tail, young scholars use footprints to determine where on a gridded map certain animals have been spotted. They use the map to answer 3 questions, one...
Curated OER
Using 4 main directions in a classroom
Students use the four directions of a compass rose to locate classroom features. In this directions lesson plan, students locate the features by identifying directions.
Curated OER
Second Graders on the Map
Second graders explore the various types of maps. They examine the differences between street maps and aerial photographs. Students identify various features on each map. They use cardinal directions and the compass rose. They write...
Curated OER
Globe Lesson 4 - Intermediate Directions
Students explore the concept of intermediate directions. In this geography skills lesson, students use map skills in order to identify intermediate directions as they complete a map activity.
Curated OER
Globe Lesson 3 - Cardinal Directions - Grade 6+
In this cardinal directions worksheet, middle schoolers read a 2-page review of cardinal directions and use a globe to respond to 5 questions.
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
Combining Map and Compass
Learners practice using the map and compass to find a location. For this geography lesson series, students identify basic requirements needed when traveling in the wilderness. They plan a healthy menu for a backpacking trip.
Curated OER
Making Maps
In this map making activity, students learn about the science of making maps, which is cartography. They then answer the 11 questions on the activity. The answers are on the last page.
Curated OER
Make Your Map
In this map making worksheet, students make their own maps, draw symbols and place them in the map key area, and draw a compass rose to show directions for the map.
Curated OER
Finding Captain Hook's Treasure
Students use their map-reading skills to find Captain Hook's treasure. They see how the directions on a map correspond with "real-life" directions, and that symbols on a map represent real things.
Curated OER
Those Who Have Come Before Me
Class members are transformed into explorers as they work in groups to locate hidden items and map their journey along the way. They then leave clues for other groups of students to follow, and ultimately discover how past explorations...
Curated OER
Four Main Directions
Students describe directions using a globe for north, east, south and west. In this mapping lesson students identify the north and south pole. Students understand the importance of the equator and the Prime Meridian. Students explain how...
Curated OER
Learning to Read a Map
First graders identify the map and globe symbols: Cardinal Directions; Compass Rose; Mountains; Rivers; Lakes; Towns; Roads.
Curated OER
Using Four Main Directions in the Classroom
Students identify the four cardinal directions. In this map skills geography lesson, students use a magnetic compass to label the four directions in the classroom. Students use the four directions to locate objects in the classroom.
Curated OER
I Can Compass, Can You?
Students discover how to use geographic tools. In this compass lesson, students identify cardinal directions by appropriately using compasses along with a number of various maps.
Curated OER
Using a Compass Rose
Second graders practice navigating around their neighborhood by utilizing a compass. In this geography instructional activity, 2nd graders view a compass rose, discover the purpose of it, and utilize it to navigate through a printed map...