Drawing with a compass

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Does anyone know of an alternative to a compass? My son's not very coordinated and having difficulty using the compass.

Thanks

Is that an instrument used to draw circles?

You could use either a protractor, or a circle template which can be brought from Office works or a big stationery store. The template has about 20 maybe 30 different size circles in it.

The protractor is used to measure degrees of angles.

I hope this helps.

I'm a MATH MAJOR and I can barely draw with a compass.

Some compasses are easier to use than others. The better ones don't slip their settings while in use. They are somewhat more expensive. Also, if you select a surface for backing up the paper that isn't too hard, like a cork, cardboard, or soft plastic mat, the center spike won't be so apt to slip. I saw an interesting variation on the drawing compass in an art supply store the other day. Its basically a flat, round piece of plastic. It has a small hole for the center of the circle and several small holes in a row for making circles of different sizes. You take two well sharpened pencils, put the point of one in the center hole, and the other in one of the other holes. Hold the center pencil still and run the other pencil around it. This *does* require using both hands at once, but since one only has to stay still, maybe this wouldn't be a problem? Best of Luck. Ross

i always had the problem of pressing too hard & poking a hole through the paper with the metal tip.............try circle templates. they have architectural circle templates at AC Moore ( i'm sure other art stores too).........If I remember correctly, the templates even have the dimensions written down next to them

Depending on the size of circle needed, could he not trace a glass or a can?

With compasses, for me, I have to use them to draw first the right half of the circle from "top" to "bottom", then do the other half the same way - not the whole thing all around in one turn. I can't quite manage that.