This is a game to teach cardinal directions: North South East West. A compass rose is on the game board and used as a spinner. Students try to sail their ship across the sea using prevailing winds while tackling numerous obstacles along the way. This game is a fun way to interact and learn the concepts of cardinal directions.
Use this to learn and reinforce answers to questions such as:
❑ How can we find our way using cardinal points?
❑ What is a compass rose and how is it used?
❑ What are some of the issues involved in sailing to far away places?
Once students work through the activity, they can capture their observations using the included Lab Notes or probing questions included in the instructions.
Concepts Addressed
♦ Cardinal points designate direction on a map
♦ A compass rose is an historical representation of compass points
♦ Cardinal points can be shown as 4, 8, or 16 different directions
VA SOL
ES.1.c, PS.1m.
Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.
Materials Needed: Paper clips (about 3 per game), masking or painters tape, pencil or pen, small game pieces (1 per player)
Teaching Time: 30 min
Prep Time: make pointers for the spinners (kids can do this)
Student Sheets Scaffolded writing prompts & lab reporting
