Goal:

1. The students will understand how the earth rotates and how it's rotation can help with direction.

2. The students will correctly use a compass.

Resources Materials:

1. A Chart for times and directions of the sun.

2. A Compass

Time:

The entire lesson should take from 50 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes. (Steps 1-3 should take about 20 to 30 minutes. Step 4 should take about 15 to 30 minutes. Step 5 should take about 15 to 20 minutes.)

Procedure:

1. Ask the students if they know which way north is. Ask them if they know how to find out.

2. Explain that the sun can be just as helpful as a compass.

3. Explain the rotation of the earth, which way the earth turns. Explain how the seasons alter the direction of the sun.

4. Take students into a field or a parking lot on a day when the sun is visible (preferably early while the sun is still close to the ground). Chart the direction of the sun at that time on a daily basis for as many days as possible. Only after many recordings will the movement of the sun be noticeable (Record the direction with degrees).

5. Make a connection to lesson 1 of this sub-unit by determining which way the sun appears to be going on the horizon at different times of the day.

Assessment:

1. The students will explain the relevance of their findings with the compass. (Criteria for success: Each student will be accurate in his or her explanation.)

2. Accurate readings of the compass. (Criteria for success: Each entry must be accurate.)

Curricular Strands & Major Concepts:

1. Science - instrument reading, longitudinal studies, research

2. Social Studies - directions

Possible Extensions:

1. Telling time with the sun, sun dials.

Sailing into the 19th Century - developed by Angela Hamerlind, Renee Kust, & Kevin Feyen

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This page submitted by St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program