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Why is north at the top of the map?
Spinning Sky Unit | Lesson 10 of 7
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Why is north at the top of the map?

Spinning Sky Unit | Lesson 10 of 7
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Video trouble?

Discuss: What does it mean to say the globe is a model of the Earth?

Reveal answer

Discuss: Where is the map of your bedroom on the globe?

Reveal answer

Video trouble?

Discuss: Which is closer to the North Pole: the blue house or the forest (with the five trees)?

Reveal answer

Neighborhood

Discuss: Is there an East Pole and a West Pole? Why or why not?

Reveal answer

Discuss: What do you think East and West are pointing to on the compass rose?

Video trouble?

Class Demonstration

Once you know one direction, you can figure out all the other directions. (This is handy, since some maps have a compass rose that only points “N”.) Try it.

Instructions:

  • "Everyone stand up"
  • Pick a direction. "Everyone point your bodies north."
  • "When I say a new direction, everyone quickly turn and point in that direction."
Video trouble?

In the next slide is the Activity video. It will automatically pause every time there is a new step for students to do. To resume after each auto-pause, just press "play."

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# Extensions
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & Exploration which you just completed.

Extra Activity: Never Eat Soggy Waffles

Have students write (and illustrate) a sentence to remind them of the order of the directions on the compass rose. (Our favorite is Never Eat Soggy Waffles, but view suggestions.)

Help them to acquire a sense of direction by marking the cardinal directions on the playground in chalk or on the classroom floor with tape.

Then have students draw a map of the classroom and add their own compass rose on the map.

Video trouble?

Featured Reviews

“This was a good review of maps and directions. It's always fun to have an easy, hands-on project, but having a ready-made handout (even a simple one with N, S, E, W on it) is like gold! The video tutorials are great, but sometimes it's tricky to follow and advance when you have to keep hitting the "play" button. I prefer clicking to the next slide or the timed/auto-advance of the video.”
· Julie · Homeschooler
“Students loved the activity and built a much better understanding of NSEW. ”
· Dixie · Teacher
“We enjoyed the step-by-step explanation of how we can determine the direction from the globe, sun, and stars. The kids really enjoyed learning about the Big Dipper and how two of its stars point to Polaris (North Star). Kudos to the Mystery Science team for using a Lego Guy in this lesson! That's always a bonus around here. :-) ”
· Karen · Homeschooler
“I love the Universe in a box craft. The kids were so excited that they got to take them home. I also love that all of the lessons tie into the same idea that the earth rotates instead of the sun. ”
· Paula · Teacher
“Interesting, there was definitely a shift from my youngest child referring to north as up and changing to north is moving closer to the north pole. ”
· Marie · Homeschooler

Grade 1

Sun, Moon, & Stars

Compass Directions

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this Mystery, students learn how the directions (N,S,E,W) relate to the globe and to the Earth itself. Students will build a sign-post.
Preview activity

Each student will need:

  • print out of polar animals
  • an 8-1/2" x 11" piece of white construction paper or cardstock
  • a tube from a roll of paper towels - Ask each student to bring one from home. Alternatively, you could cut paper towel tubes in half or you can use toilet paper tubes.
  • scissors

Exploration

20 mins

Hands-On Activity

25 mins

Grade 1

Sun, Moon, & Stars

Compass Directions

Extend this lesson

Assessments

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Sky Lesson 10: Why is north at the top of the map?

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