Map & Compass 101: Find Your Way When Your Phone Dies 9-13yo

After the introductions, students will be asked a couple of questions: Why are map and compass skills still important? Do any of you know someone who still uses a map and compass to navigate? 

Next, I will ask all of the students to hold their compass flat in their hand and I will go over some basic features of the compass. This includes: "Base, dial, needle, and degrees." I will ask each student to hold the compass flat until the needle can swing freely and then move the dial until "Fred is in his shed." 

The next activity is to have the students choose an object in the room and point the "direction of travel arrow" toward that object, put Fred in his shed, and then identify exactly what degrees the object is from where the student is sitting.

The students will then look at a topographical map (to be provided as an attachment when you sign up for this class) and learn some basic features of a map including "contour lines, elevation, flat areas, steep areas, water, land, and more..." 

At the end of class, students will be able to use their compass to orient the map and pick a point of interest and explain exactly what direction (in degrees) to walk to get there. I will spend some extra time here to ensure the students understand and are able to demonstrate their knowledge of these skills.

All of my classes are hands on and there is always room to ask questions.