Lesson 2

Lesson 2

Title: Latitude and Longitude

Objective: Students will locate places on a map using a grid.

Materials:

Activities:

Introduce vocabulary: latitude, longitude, grid, degree, minute, Prime Meridian, equator
Introduce the map with the latitude and longitude lines. Explain that lines of latitude and longitude cross one another on a map and form a grid. Learn about latitude and longitude of USA at The Latitude and Longitude Web site and The Nasa Web site
What is the definition of latitude and longitude? Latitude is measured from the equator, with positive values going north and negative values going south. Longitude is measured from the Prime Meridian (which is the longitude that runs through Greenwich, England), with positive values going east and negative values going west. So, for example, 65 degrees west longitude, 45 degrees north latitude is -65 degrees longitude, +45 degrees latitude.
Students visit The Maps 101 Web site to view various maps.
Display large map of state and have students come up one at a time and find a city with certain coordinates.
Have students play in pairs "I spy a state at ___" thumbtack the states already used.

Evaluation: Students will correctly place thumbtack on longitude and latitude coordinates.

Extension Activity: Map Your City

Student will write the address of his school, local attraction, home and a friend who lives elsewhere
Log onto the Internet
Visit www.yahoo.com
Have student click on Maps
Type the address of the school in space provided and click on Get Map
Zoom in on map to see various views. Locate other locations on map such as roads, highways, rivers, train tracks. Locate areas that are north, south, east and west of school
On this page click on Driving Directions, To this location and From this location
Click on Map New Location, then Get Map

Homework: Collect addresses of various family and friends to use in Yahoo Map activity