Objectives
- The students will be able to locate the North Pole and the South Pole on a globe
- The students will learn the definitions of north, south, east and west.
Vocabulary
North Pole, South Pole, north, south, east, west, compass rose
Materials Needed
World Map, globe, map marker
Lesson
Using the Location Skills inset map, locate and circle the North Pole and the South Pole. Read to the students the definitions of the North Pole and the South Pole.
Have a student locate the North Pole and the South Pole on the globe. (Globe use is very important because the globe shows true direction. There is no distortion.)
Tell the students that the North Pole and the South Pole are very important places on the globe because they help to determine the direction.
Tell the students there are four main (or cardinal) directions. Ask the students to name these directions. (north, south, east, and west) Today the students will learn the meaning of each direction and how to locate them on a globe and map.
Use the Direction Skills Inset Map. There is a compass rose drawn on a global projection. The compass rose is centered where the Equator and Prime Meridian intersect. Ask the students what is the purpose of a compass. (To help determine directions) A compass rose is used to help us find direction.
Have a student draw a compass rose on the globe at the same location as shown on the inset map, where the Equator and Prime Meridian intersect.
Circle the direction north on the inset map. Read the definition to the students. North is toward the North Pole.
Have a student label the direction north on the globe compass rose. Circle the direction south on the map and read the definition. South is toward the South Pole. (South is opposite north) Label south on the globe. Circle east on the map. East is to the right of a person standing on the Earth facing the North Pole. Label east on the globe. Circle west on the map and label west on the globe. West is to the left of a person standing on the Earth facing the North Pole.
Review with the students the meaning of each direction and how they appear on a globe.