ALEX Learning Activity

  

Where in the World Am I?

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

You may save this Learning Activity to your hard drive as an .html file by selecting “File”,then “Save As” from your browser’s pull down menu. The file name extension must be .html.
  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Katie Kinney
Organization:University of North Alabama
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 1030
Title:
Where in the World Am I?
Digital Tool/Resource:
Longitude and Latitude Meaning Definition for Kids/YouTube Video
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

In this learning activity, students will watch a video that explains the definition of longitude, latitude, and associated terms, as well as shows students how to apply the terms.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
Social Studies
SS2010 (2010)
Grade: 3
Geographic and Historical Studies: People, Places, and Regions
1 ) Locate the prime meridian, equator, Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer, International Date Line, and lines of latitude and longitude on maps and globes.

•  Using cardinal and intermediate directions to locate on a map or globe an area in Alabama or the world (Alabama)
•  Using coordinates to locate points on a grid
•  Determining distance between places on a map using a scale
•  Locating physical and cultural regions using labels, symbols, and legends on an Alabama or world map (Alabama)
•  Describing the use of geospatial technologies
Examples: Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information system (GIS)

•  Interpreting information on thematic maps
Examples: population, vegetation, climate, growing season, irrigation

•  Using vocabulary associated with maps and globes, including megalopolis, landlocked, border, and elevation
Unpacked Content
Strand: Geography
Course Title: Geographical and Historical Studies: People, Places, and Regions
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • Locate prime meridian, equator, Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer, International Date line, and lines of latitude and longitude on maps and globes.
  • Use labels, symbols and legends to locate physical and cultural regions on an Alabama or world map.
  • Use cardinal and intermediate directions to locate an area in Alabama or the world.
  • Determine distance between places on a map using a scale.
  • Describe use of geospatial technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information system (GIS).
  • Interpret population, vegetation, climate, growing season, irrigation on thematic maps.
  • Use vocabulary associated with maps and globes: megalopolis, landlocked, border, elevation.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • physical regions
  • cultural regions
  • geospatial technologies
  • thematic maps
  • megalopolis
  • landlocked
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • Vocabulary associated with maps and globes.
  • How to use cardinal and intermediate directions to locate an area in Alabama or the world on a map or globe.
  • How to locate physical and cultural regions and geographical features on a map or globe of an area in Alabama or the world.
  • How to locate points on a grid using coordinates.
  • How to use a scale to determine distance.
  • How to use legends, labels, and symbols to locate physical and cultural regions on an Alabama or world map.
  • How to describe the use of geospatial technologies.
  • How to interpret information on thematic maps.
Skills:
Student are able to :
  • Use a map or globe to locate specific geographical features.
  • Use cardinal and intermediate directions.
  • Use labels, symbols and legends on a map.
  • Use a map scale to determine distance.
  • Use geospatial technologies.
  • Use geographical terms associated with maps and globes.
  • Locate coordinates on a grid.
  • Interpret thematic maps.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • Geographical information can be used to locate an area in Alabama or the world on a map or globe.
Alabama Archives Resources:
Click below to access all Alabama Archives resources aligned to this standard.
Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
SS.AAS.3.1- Identify vocabulary associated with maps and globes, including megalopolis, landlocked, border, elevation, and geospatial technologies.
Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to locate lines of latitude and longitude on maps and globes as well as to find locations of cities when given latitude and longitude coordinates.
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
Before/Engage, During/Explore/Explain
Activity:

Introduce the following vocabulary words prior to watching the video: latitude, longitude, degree. Have students listen for the definition while watching the video for a class discussion of the definitions after the video. After the conclusion of the video, relate the definitions to the concept of determining the location of various cities. Review the process for determining latitude and longitude and give examples such as (32°N, 86°W), (38°N, 77°W) to model determining the location of well-known cities. Allow students to determine a city's coordinates and then share the coordinates with a partner in a game-type fashion. Show students how to self-check by typing coordinates into Google. Remind students when checking the coordinates in Google that the city displayed in Google will be exact based on the degrees, which might be a little different from what they predicted. Reference the video's explanation of minutes and seconds and how those concepts determine the exact location.

Assessment Strategies:

Have the students create a coordinate scavenger hunt of at least five locations they would like to visit for an upcoming family vacation.
Advanced Preparation:

Internet browser, predetermined latitude/longitude coordinates
Variation Tips (optional):
 
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
 
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: coordinate, latitude, longitude