Lesson Plan

Which Way is North?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Which Way is North? lesson plan also includes:

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 activity that deepens students' understanding of the earth's motion and position in the solar system. As an extension, consider creating sundials to demonstrate how shadows can also be used to tell time.

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Pros
  • Lesson expands awareness of the earth and its movement in the solar system
  • Activity requires little prep time and can be performed with school materials 
  • Offers ideas for extending the activity to further investigate the earth's motion
Cons
  • Activity requires periodic observations throughout the course of a school day, potentially interrupting the normal class schedule