CU 1.13Finding North with a Compass

1. 1

   Invite the child to sit at a wooden table away from metal and magnets. Hold the compass flat in your palm.

2. 2

   Point to the needle: 'The red end always points north.' Wait while it swings and settles.

3. 3

   Turn your body slowly and show that the needle keeps pointing the same way.

4. 4

   Turn the compass until the N on the dial sits under the red end. Point: 'That way is north.' Check that it matches the N card on the wall.

5. 5

   Hand the child the compass and invite them to find north.

6. 6

   Go outside. Find north together and place the N card or cone on that side of the playground.

7. 7

   Say: 'When I face north, south is behind me, east is on my right, and west is on my left.' Place the other three cards.

8. 8

   Play a direction game: 'Walk five steps east. Now go north to the slide.'

What catches the child’s eye

• The needle swinging, then settling to point the same way every time
• The needle staying on north while the child turns in a full circle

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Draw a large compass rose on the playground with chalk
2. Notice that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, seen from the playground
3. Hide an object and give directions to find it: 'Ten steps north, then three steps west'
4. Find north on the street map and on the Utah map