📖

Finding North

Cardinal Directions

Day 87of 180
Week 18of 36
20Minutes
← Day 86Day 87 of 180Day 88 →
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Identify and locate north on a compass

2

Understand that north is always in the same direction

3

Practice using a compass to find direction

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”

— Psalm 119:105 (WEB)

Just like a compass guides us in direction, God's word guides us in life

📦 Materials Needed

  • Compass
  • Large floor compass
  • Cardinal direction cards
  • Stickers or markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and show them a compass. Ask if anyone knows what it's used for.

💭 Review Question: What helps travelers know which way to go?
2Teaching (7 min)

Explain how a compass always points to north, which helps us know other directions

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • North is always at the top of a map
  • A compass needle points to the North Pole
  • North helps us find other directions
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Where do you think north is in our classroom?
  • How might explorers use a compass?
3Activity: Compass Exploration (6 min)
hands-on

Students practice using a compass to find north in the classroom

📝 Instructions:
  1. Hand out compasses to students
  2. Guide them to find north
  3. Place north direction cards on the correct wall
  4. Have students turn to face north
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher guides students to north

Challenge: Students help mark north without direct teacher guidance

4Closing (2 min)

Review what we learned about finding north

📝 Review Questions:
  • What direction does a compass point?
  • Why is knowing north helpful?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us ways to find our way, just like you guide our hearts.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about moving our bodies to face different directions!

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”

— Psalm 119:105 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Compass Direction Dance - point in direction when saying each word

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Children are learning basic navigation skills and directional awareness

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Practice using a compass at home
  • Look at maps together
  • Discuss how knowing directions helps us
🤔 Common Struggles:

Distinguishing between north and other directions

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to consistently point to north

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a home treasure map
  • Play 'North Says' (like Simon Says)
  • Draw a compass rose

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 88 →Back to History & Social Studies