| Procedure: |
- Introduce students to the three main parts of a compass: (1) plastic plate with
direction-of-travel arrow, (2) red-tipped magnetic needle, and (3) compass housing with
numbered degrees. Figure A
- Divide students into pairs.
- Have children hold the compass and set the desired degree number (try 100degrees) by
turning the housing until the bearing (degree) is in line with the direction-of-travel
arrow.
- Each student must orient the compass to the lay of the land by holding the compass in
the palm, pointing the direction of travel arrow straight ahead (Figure B), and turning
the body until the red-tipped magnetic needle is directly on top of the arrow outlined in
the housing (Figure C). The direction-of-travel arrow is now pointing in the direction of
100 degrees.
- Now you are ready for trekking across the spillway!
- The first team member sends his/her partner walking out in the approximate direction
that the direction-of-travel arrow is pointing. The first team member tells his/her
partner to stop after about twenty yards. (Remember you cannot look back.)
- The first team member then lines the partner up with the direction-of-travel arrow by
asking him/her to move to the right or left. Once the new position is determined, the
first team member will start walking ahead of the partner.
- Partners use this "leap frog" method across the designated area.
- (You might want to let them try walking through the wooded area following a bearing. Be
sure you check with Mr. Owen to select the area.)
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