To locate north, to make the concept of directions more concrete, to illustrate the earth's rotation, and to visualize the earth's relation to the sun.
Students use a stick's shadow to determine directions.
Pointed sticks approximately 3 feet in length, yardstick, compass. Have students pair up. Give each team a pointed stick and a yardstick. On the school grounds have each group place the stick in the ground and carefully mark the tip of the stick's shadow. Have them return 20 minutes later and mark the tip of the stick's shadow a second time.