Revised 02/11

Zack Williams
Latitude and Longitude
Essential Question:
What is Latitude and Longitude and how do you use these measurements?
Goal:
Students will understand the terms latitude and longitude and their functions.
Objective:
Students will be able to identify the prime meridian.
Students will be able to identify the equator.
Students will have an understanding of the international date line.
Students will be able pick out points on a map using latitude and longitude.
Students will have an understanding of degrees on a map.
Students will have an understanding of the importance and uses for using latitude and longitude.
Materials:
Computer
Projector
Directions For Apple Maps Funny Video Jest (You Tube)
World Map with Latitude and Longitude (13 copies)
Longitude and Latitude Map of school (13 copies)
Three small sheets of paper with Longitude and Latitude coordinates and one question about Latitude and
Longitude concept
Assorted bag of candy (enough for 13 students)
Shipwreck worksheet (13 copies)
Alignment with State Standards
Students should address geographic themes, such as the five themes of geography, the essential elements, the
National Geography standards, and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Thematic strands. In
addition students should interpret various types of geographic information and how geographers look at the world.
Background Information:
The students should have prior knowledge of terminology like hemispheres and from a mathematical standpoint,
an area of a circle. Latitude and longitude lines are divided into degrees which relate to the area of a circle thus
students should have an understanding that 360 degrees makes up a circle. Each degree in measuring latitude and
longitude is divided into 60 minutes and 60 seconds, which are really an arc of angle.
Engagement:
Bellwork: Students will answer the following questions at the beginning of class:
When was the last time you used Latitude and Longitude?
Why is it important that we have Latitude and Longitude?
When and where do we use Latitude and Longitude?
Exploration:
1. Bellwork: Students individually answer the three questions projected on the board about the when, why and
where of Latitude and Longitude on a sheet of paper within the first five minutes of class.
2. The instructor will then have the students stop where they are at in answering the question and play the
YouTube video, Directions for Apple Maps.
3. The instructor will then open up discussion for why it is important that students know latitude and longitude
and how to read a map. The instructor will reference back to the video when applicable.
4. The instructor will project on the screen a list of scenarios, jobs, and academia that utilizes latitude and
longitude.

Revised 02/11

5. The instructor will then discuss the topics of latitude and longitude, the understanding of the world as a
sphere, the equator and prime meridian, the understanding of angles which are representative of latitude and
longitude in order to further discuss minutes and seconds.
6. The instructor will then hand out map of world with latitude and longitude and practice finding countries and
points on the map with the students.
Application:
Students will be broken up into groups of 3 to 4. The students will then be given a map of the school and one
latitude and longitude coordinate. The students will then use the map to find their coordinate in the school. When
the students find their coordinate they will then locate a sliver of paper with a question about one of the concepts
learned in class. The students must accurately answer the question in order to receive candy from the instructor.
Closure:
The instructor will ask the students what the main concepts were (those on the sheets) and the three main points
they gained from lesson.
Evaluation:
Students will have a homework assignment which practices locating various shipwrecks that have occurred in
Lake Ontario. The worksheet uses the skills of latitude and longitude as long minutes and seconds for locating the
shipwreck.
Differentiation:
Visual examples will be given and a step by step process of finding and plotting objects for those students with
ADHD or are low learners. The hands on activity which enables students to work as a group to physically find a
location will enable all students to cooperatively learn. The instructor will choose high level learners to be the
head of the group in order to role model for other students. Additionally, the homework assignment can be
modified for students with a disability in terms of having the students only plot and find the latitude and longitude
of a shipwreck instead of the minutes and seconds.
References:
The World Map, National Geographic Society. 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2014 from
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/archive/xpeditions/lessons/01/g68/mapmaking.html?ar_a=1
Richie, Herb. Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario. 2005. New York Science Teacher. Retrieved March 1, 2014from
http://newyorkscienceteacher.com/sci/files/download.php?id=760&file=shipwrecksoflakeontario2.pdf