All Activities
Geography

Finding Directions with the Sun

Overview

Students observe the sun to learn basic directions.

Learning Objective
Students understand east and west using the sun.

Resources needed

  • Open outdoor space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Go outside in the morning.
  2. 2 Ask students where the sun is.
  3. 3 Explain this direction is east.
  4. 4 Go outside later in the day.
  5. 5 Find where the sun is again.
  6. 6 Explain this direction is west.
  7. 7 Repeat for several days.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Add north and south using landmarks.
  • Play a movement game using directions.
More information

Teach east, west, north, south with gestures.

Use classroom windows if outdoor space is not available.

Students can point to east and west.

No materials needed.

Students may think the sun moves, not the Earth.

Good introduction to direction and space.

Activity details
Primary Medium 15 minutes daily (over several days) 5 mins prep Whole Class Outdoor
Topics
Cardinal Directions