FREE Craftivity!
This is a simple cut-and-paste collage style compass rose craft. It helps kids understand how a compass rose works and learn the order of the cardinal directions (plus it looks great hung up in the hall!) You can pick up the template for free HERE.
Here’s how it’s done:
You will need old magazines, glue, scissors, template pieces cut out (free download above), white colored pencil or crayon, and background paper (black works well)
There are two templates included in the download. One is simpler and has fewer pieces. It’s better for younger students or if you don’t want to spend as much time completing this project.
Trace each template piece onto an interesting color or pattern in a magazine.
Cut out the pieces you traced.
Glue the large circle onto the background paper first. Then start gluing down the large points.
Glue the smaller points down. If you are using the simpler template, you will skip this step.
Use the white colored pencil or crayon to mark in the cardinal directions.
Here’s the finished product!
Maps are familiar to adults. We understand that they are small pictures of much bigger places. To young children maps are an abstract concept, lines and shapes that represent buildings and roads. Here’s a fun way to make map concepts more concrete for kids:
Start with a blank outline of the place you want kids to map. They could make a map of the classroom, their bedroom, the playground, or something else.
Allow kids to arrange blocks onto the outline to represent furniture and fixtures of the place they are mapping.
Next, have them trace around the blocks they placed.
Then they can add labels and color to make the map easier for others to understand.
Extension:
Instead of writing labels you could have kids create a map key or legend to show what each color or symbol represents on the map.
Happy map-making!
Hannah Braun is a former teacher with 8 years of experience in the classroom and a master's degree in early childhood education. She designs engaging, organized classroom resources for 1st-3rd grade teachers.
I am wondering how to find the templates for the compass rose. This looks very cool.
Thanks! You can pick up the template for free here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Compass-Rose-Craftivity-1461002