Focus: Many aspects of the physical world provide important cues for us and other animals as we move from place to place. We’ll see how animals use the position of the sun, features of the landscape, and the Earth’s magnetic field for orientation and navigation. These features, together with compass, maps, and other tools, can help us find our way.
INTRODUCTION
Objective: To begin to explore and ask questions about navigation.
Ask children to close their eyes and to point to things as you say them. You might ask them to point at the swingset, slide, sandbox, front entry to the school, etc. How do they know where things are?
MIND’S EYE MAP
Objective: To see how our mental map enables us to visualize familiar places.
Ask the children to imagine that they are standing in a familiar place. Have them close their eyes and imagine being in the doorway to their kitchen. Ask them to point to the stove, refrigerator, table, sink, microwave, place where the cereal is kept, clock, etc. Now have them imagine being in the entrance to the school. Continue reading Get Your Bearings – Activities