Push the pencil through the center of the paper plate.
Roll a ball of craft putty and use it to secure the pencil in the center of a paper plate. The pencil must stand upright.
Place a bold mark on the edge of the plate using the marker. Write the letter N next to the mark.
Take the structure outside into the sunlight early in the morning. Place it on the ground and push the pencil down an inch into the ground. This will help to keep the plate from moving. Choose a spot that receives sunlight all day but which is protected from the wind. If wind is anticipated, weigh the plate down with small rocks.
Use a compass to establish where north is. Rotate the plate until the N on the plate aligns with the north of the compass. The imaginary line between the N on the plate and the base of the pencil is a north-south line.
Check the time on your watch. Wait until the full hour is reached and then trace the shadow cast by the pencil onto the paper plate. Write the time next to the shadow line. Repeat this step on the hour until the sun sets. If you miss making any hour markings, you can return and complete the sundial the following day.