How can we show direction and distance?

WHAT – To understand how we describe direction and how a compass is used to show direction.WHY – So that we can use direction to describe where something is located.HOW – By using the compass points to describe routes and locations.

What is this and what is it used for? What activities would you use it for?

How does a compass work?No matter where you stand on Earth, you can

hold a compass in your hand and it will point toward the North Pole. What an unbelievably neat and amazing thing! Imagine that you are

in the middle of the ocean, and you are looking all around you in every direction and all you can see is water, and it is overcast so you

cannot see the sun... How in the world would you know which way to go unless you had a compass to tell you which way is "up"? Long

before GPS satellites and other high-tech navigational aids, the compass gave humans an easy and inexpensive way to orient themselves. Can you now add to your

starter?

A way to remember

never

eatwheatabix

Soggy

NNE

E

SE

S

SW

W

NW

The Compass Points.• Direction = the point towards which you face or move.

• Compass = an instrument used to find direction; it has a magnetised needle that points north.

• Compass rose =the pattern on a map that shows the direction of north.

• The main (cardinal) compass points are N (north), E (east), S (south) and W (west).

1. Copy the diagram and keywords above into your book.2. Complete the worksheet

Practice

When using a compass you can use Degrees to describe how far you should turn.

Calculate the correct directions from Port A to Port B.