Lesson Title: Lines of Latitude and Longitude

Day Number: 2
Author: Amber Hosmi
Unit: 1
Grade Level: 4th
Background Information
- Expected Duration 45 minutes
- Concepts
Geography
- Vocabulary
* Latitude
* Longitude
* Coordinates
- Skills
* Comparing & Contrasting
* Following Directions
* Teamwork
* Organization
1.1 Integration of Learning Outcomes/Objectives
- Students will be able to compare and contrast latitude and longitude.
- Students will be able to identify coordinates on a map and locations near them.
- Students will be able to organize a class-size map using latitude and longitude concepts.
1.2 Standards PA Civics, History, Economics, Geography & NCSS Themes I-X
PA Standards
Geography 7.1.4.A: Describe how common geographic tools are used to
organize and interpret information about people, places, and environment.
Mathematic M4.C.3.1.1: Match or plot the ordered pair with the appropriate
point (or object) on a simple grid.
NCSS
D2.Geo.1.3-5. Construct maps and other graphic representations of both familiar
and unfamiliar places.
D2.Geo.2.3-5. Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations
to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their
environmental characteristics.
1.3 Anticipatory Set
- Put a picture of a blank map on the board with lines of latitude and longitude and ask
students if they know what these lines are or what they mean.
1.4 Procedures

1. Students will be given a booklet of blank maps on day 1 of unit plan and teacher will
explain that throughout this unit, we will learn all about maps and geography. Each day
we will learn new aspects of maps and geography and add on to our booklet. (This will be
done on day 1)
2. Teacher will explain terms latitude and longitude and give examples.
3. Students will all add the terms to their personal unit vocabulary notebooks, and then
teacher will have 2 students write out the definition on an index card and put it on the
class unit vocabulary word wall.
4. Teacher will have students move all desks out of the center of the classroom and have
students create lines of latitude and longitude on the floor using different color tape.
5. Half of the class will be on the latitude team and half of the class will be on the
longitude team.
6. While taking turns, each team will alternate and by using teamwork and group work,
make large lines across the whole room of latitude and longitude.
7. The students on the latitude team and the students on the longitude team will
create 7 lines on the ground each.
8. Students will be required to help each other with the tape and stretching each line long
enough to go across the room.
9. Once students have each made 7 lines on the ground, students will be asked to return
their desks to where they belong.
10. Teacher will explain the concept of the coordinate where a line of latitude intersects
a line of longitude. Teacher will have numbers aligning the sides of the rooms (numbers 1
7) alongside of each line of latitude and longitude. Teacher will explain that you follow
the number of the line of latitude across the room horizontally, and the line of longitude
across the room vertically to meet at a coordinate. Teacher will demonstrate this by
walking along the lines.
11. Teacher will label the first coordinate closest to her desk, with a post it note. On the
post it note, teacher will write out the number of the coordinate (x,y). After
demonstrating to the class how to write coordinates, teacher will then hand out post it
notes to the rest of the class.
12. Each student will be required to place a post it note on the coordinate that is closest to
their desk.
13. Teacher will be able to assess if students understand this concept of coordinates and
latitude and longitude by seeing whether or not they accurately write the coordinate
closest to their desk using the correct number for latitude, and the correct number for
longitude.
1.5 Differentiation
- Visually Impaired students: Teacher will provide a form of brail latitude and longitude
where they will be able to feel the difference of the lines with their hands
- Students who are immobile/ in a wheelchair: Teacher will provide a seat activity where
students will be able to use tape on a sheet of paper to create lines of latitude and
longitude while students are doing activity on floor.

1.6 Closure
After group lesson is complete and all coordinates are labeled on the floor map, students
will open their blank map packet and turn to day-2 map. Students will find a coordinate
in each of the 7 continents. Teacher will end this lesson by referring back to unit word
wall and explaining the difference between latitude and longitude.
1.7 Formative/Summative Assessment of Students (P-12)
- Formative: Teacher will be able to assess if students understand the concepts of
coordinates and latitude and longitude by walking around and observing whether or not
they accurately write the coordinate closest to their desk using the correct number for
latitude, and the correct number for longitude.
- Summative: Teacher will check the students blank map booklet after the lesson to see
if they accurately labeled the lines of latitude and longitude.
1.8 Materials/Equipment/Resources
- Tape (2 different colors)
- Blank map booklet
- Post it notes
- Markers
1.9 Technology
N/A
2.1 Reflection on Planning
I believe this topic is important for students to learn because understanding what the lines
of latitude and longitude are is an essential skill for knowing how to read a map and
where things are located on a map. I believe this is a very hands-on activity that will be
very beneficial for different types of learning. The I-do, we-do, you-do approach is very
easy to understand and learn. The teacher first introduces, explains, and models the lesson
then the class as a whole partakes in the activity, ending with an individual aspect of
learning the material which is great for all learners involved.
Content Outline:
- Four Hemispheres
- Geographers divide Earths surface into hemispheres
- Hemisphere: One half of Earths Surface
- 2 lines divide Earth into hemispheres
- Equator: divides Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres
- Prime Meridian: divides Earth into Eastern and Western
hemispheres
- U.S. is located in the Northern and Western hemispheres
Q: What physical features does a globe show?
A: Earths continents, oceans, and hemispheres
- Latitude, Longitude, and Maps
- Geographers have system for naming exact locations which uses 2 sets of lines
- Lines of latitude: Circle the globe parallel to the equator

- Lines of longitude: Run between the north and south poles

These lines are also called meridians
Q: How are lines of latitude and longitude different?
A: Lines of latitude circle the globe parallel to the equator; Lines of
longitude run between the north and south poles
- Each line has a number, which are called degrees
- Equator is 0 degrees latitude
- Prime Meridian is 0 degrees longitude
- To find exact location of a place, fine the degrees of the latitude line and
the longitude line that cross there
Ex: City of New Orleans, Louisiana is located at 30 degrees north,
90 degrees west (30 N, 90 W.)
- Whats special about your region?
- Region: An area that has certain features. It might have certain
landforms, such as mountains and glaciers.
Ex: A language region is an area in which most people speak the
same language. A desert region has very dry weather
- Geographers use regions to show how places are alike and different

Day 2 Map Activity

1. Name any coordinates that intersect in or
closest to Iowa (______,______)
2. Name any coordinates that intersect in
Texas (______,______)
3. Name any coordinates that intersect in or
closest to Florida (______,______)
4. Name any coordinates that intersect in or
closest to California (______,______)
5. Name any coordinates that intersect in or
closest to Oregon (______,______)
6. Name the coordinate closest to the red x
(______,______)