Using a globe or world map, work your way around the globe finding locations based on longitude and latitude. Match each numbered location with its name and find your way back to your starting port. The activity begins in Greenwich and there's a brief discussion about the history of the Prime Meridian. Optional lab notes are written with middle-schoolers in mind.
Use this to learn and reinforce answers to questions such as:
❑ How can we locate a place using longitude and latitude?
❑ What does a negative sign mean for longitude?
❑ What does a negative sign mean for latitude?
Once students work through the activity, they can capture their observations using the included Lab Notes or probing questions included in the instructions.
Concepts Addressed
♦ Latitude and longitude can be used to identify any location in the world
♦ A latitude with a negative sign is found below the equator
♦ A longitude with a negative sign is found west of the Prime Meridian
♦ The Prime Meridian is designated with a longitude of zero degrees.
VA SOL
ES.1.d
Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.
Materials Needed: Globe or world map marked with longitude and latitude
Teaching Time: 40 min
Prep Time: None needed
Student Sheets Scaffolded writing prompts & lab reporting
