Topic: Compasses

Concept: Traveling by compass

Skill: Setting the compass with degree bearings and using the bearings to travel to and return from an established point.

Objective: Students will be able to take bearings with the compass and follow them with accuracy to prescribed locations.

Lesson Activity: (Materials needed: compasses, spot markers such as tin can lids, paper bags.)

    This lesson is building on what we did the day before.  The whole lesson will take place outside.  Review information about taking a bearing reading.  Conduct an activity where everyone lines up on one edge of the field and sets their compass to the same bearing; pick a reference point; walk 50'.  Explain how to use the bearing we just followed to return to our starting point.  Return to starting point.  Distribute paper bags and spot markers.  The students will place a marker at their feet and cover their heads with the paper bag folded so they can only see their compass by looking down.  Using the same format as before, have the students walk to the other side of the field following the specified bearing and return.  Pacing will be an important tool.  The goal is to return exactly to their marker.  The final activity will be the three-legged compass walk (Kjellstrom, 1976,  p. 80) after an explanation and discussion about how to change bearings.  Students will use their compass to walk the shape of an equilateral triangle and return to their starting spot.

Diagnostic Assessment: Participatory discussion of how to determine a bearing.

Formative Assessment: Are students able to follow a bearing accurately?  Can they return to their original location?

Summative Assessment: Are students using the compass effectively when they have to move the housing repeatedly?  Ask for questions and comments at the end of class.

Grading:  Participation only.

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