Objective:

The students will follow directions for locating items in a given area.

Materials

• A link to the following site http://www.ne.jp/asahi/stellar/scenes/seiza_e/umi.htm.

• Index cards posted in the classroom, labeling the directions North, South, East, and West.

• Maps labeled with North, South, East, and West or a link to http://www.maps.com/learn/101-content/skl-direction.html.

• Cardinal Directions Worksheet (for older students).

Procedure

1. Have a discussion with the students on how people have used stars to guide their way.  In particular the North Star has been used to help people traveling north.  Share the above link with the students illustrating Polaris (the north star) and where it is in the Little Dipper.

2. Point out to the students where the labels have been placed in the classroom, showing the cardinal directions North, South, East, and West.

3. Relate for the students how these directions are used on maps.  Share an example of a map which has cardinal directions on it.  The following link would be helpful http://www.maps.com/learn/101-content/skl-direction.html.

4. Play a game with the students in which they stand up and have to follow oral directions for moving about the classroom.  For example, "Take 2 steps North", "Take 3 steps East", etc.

5. Older students may complete the Cardinal Directions Worksheet.

6. Younger students may continue to play the game in pairs.  They may each take turns giving directions to each other to reach some destination in the classroom.

Other Lesson Ideas

1. Read Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter.  This is a story of how slaves would "Follow the Drinking Gourd" (the big dipper) to reach freedom in the north.  Have a lesson on slavery.

2. Discuss the use of stars on the American Flag and what they stand for.