1.4 Direction

Geography

Grade 5

Map work

Module 5

How to determine direction

ACTIVITY 1:

TO DETERMINE NORTH BY USING A WRISTWATCH

[LO 1.7]

You need the following :

a watch with hands

a match or stick

Follow these steps:

Step 1 : Stand outside on a sunny day. Hold your watch horizontally (flat) on your hand.

Step 2 : Hold the stick above the 12 on the watch.

Step 3 : Move around until the shadow of the stick falls on the 6 to 12 line.

Step 4 : Halve the angle between the hour hand and the 6 to 12 shadow line. The halve line is North .

ACTIVITY 2:

TO DETERMINE NORTH BY USING A SHADOW STICK

[LO 1.7]

Divide the class into groups. Choose a sunny day. This method requires a few hours, because the sun has to rise to its highest point and then go down again.

You need the following :

a ruler

a pencil

a large piece of white paper

a knitting-needle or straight stick

Follow these steps:

Step 1 : Put the paper on level ground and push the knitting-needle through its centre.

Step 2 : At 10:00, indicate the point of the shadow on the paper.

Step 3 : At 14:00, indicate the point of the shadow on the paper.

Step 4 : Now remove the paper and return to the classroom. Draw lines from the shadow point you have marked, to the point where the needle was. (See Figure 5.)

Step 5 : Halve the angle formed by ABC. The line on the opposite side of the shadow will be TRUE NORTH.

ACTIVITY 3:

TO DETERMINE DIRECTION AT NIGHT WITHOUT A COMPASS

[LO 1.7]

Do some research to find out how you would orientate yourself at night without a compass (in other words, how you would determine true north at night).

Make drawings and write down your information, so you can report your findings to the class.

In the library, find at least two sources with information about your subject.

Read the first source and write down the information under SOURCE 1.

Then read the next source and write down the information that wasn’t given in the first source, under SOURCE 2.

Use the information from both sources to write a paragraph or two.

Assessment

LO 1

GEOGRAPHICAL ENQUIRY

The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate geographical and environmental concepts and processes.

We know this when the learner:

• with guidance, selects and uses sources of useful geographical information (including graphs, maps and fieldwork outside the classroom) [finds sources];

• categorises information [works with sources];
• draws sketch maps and/or plans from field observation and measurements [works with sources];
• uses an index to find places on global atlas maps [works with sources];

• demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the issue through projects, discussion, debate and charts [communicates the answer].