Objectives

In this lesson, students will:

• Describe latitude and longitude
• Describe how latitude and longitude have been found over the ages, and the difficulties that came in determining longitude
• Summarize the changes that satellite technology have made to the way we determine absolute location
• Determine their own latitude and longitude coordinates using the Census Bureau's "U.S. Gazetteer" Web site.

MSPP Outcomes:

Geometry Measurement

• Define, identify, and measure angles.

Estimation and Computation

• Students will demonstrate their ability to apply estimation strategies in computation, with the use of technology, in measurement, and in problem solving.

Concepts of Science

• Students will demonstrate their acquisition and integration of major concepts and unifying themes from the life, physical, and earth/space sciences.

Geography

• Locate places and natural features by interpreting and constructing maps using directions, legends, grid systems, boundary lines, and scales.

Skills and Processes

• Obtain, interpret, evaluate, organize, and use print and non-print sources of information such as maps, charts, globes, graphics, and tables.

Introduction: This lesson is designed to give students an understanding of latitude and longitude, and the importance of location. By examining the history of latitude and longitude, and how they were determined, students can learn how the importance of determining absolute location has driven technological advances. Then, by looking at the Global Positioning System (GPS), they can learn how the importance of determining location is only increasing with our technological advances as we find new uses for knowing precise locations.

Teacher Background Information:

This lesson can be completed in one long session, or you may choose to do only specific parts. The four parts are:

1. Latitude and Longitude
2. Determining Position over the Ages
3. Finding our Location Today!
4. What is My Location?

The lesson can be done by individual students or small groups of students. We have included a worksheet with this lesson. Depending on the age and ability level of your students, part of this worksheet might be more appropriately completed with a partner. Depending on the amount of time you have available, and the age and ability levels of your students, you may want to use the "streamlined" version of this lesson. It only has three parts, and it is written primarily for Grade 4 and 5 students. There is a link to this "streamlined" lesson from the first Student Page, as well as this Teacher Page.

Materials Needed:

For the lesson, each individual student or group of students will need:

• Internet access
• a pencil
• a copy of the worksheets main version) or worksheets (streamlined version)
• a protractor

Activities

1. Students will learn how the parallels of latitude are angular measurements from the center of the earth. They will use a protractor to measure given angles of latitude on a drawing of the earth, to determine which latitudes they are.

2. Students will use latitudes and longitudes to determine the positions of five cities that Pride of Baltimore II visited on her tour of Asia. This activity will require the students to estimate the positions of the latitudes and longitudes found in between the 5° increments that are drawn.

3. Students will learn about some of the navigational instruments developed through the ages that were used for measuring the height of the sun. They will then look in depth at the sextant and learn how it is used to measure the height of the sun.

4. Students will learn about the continuing development of navigational technology up to today, including the development of the satellite navigation system GPS. They will be asked to summarize these advancements in technology, and tell how they feel their lives may benefit from GPS.

5. Students will be directed to the Census Bureau's "U.S. Gazetteer" Web site where they will be able to determine their own locations.

Answers to Worksheet Activities

ACTIVITY 1

1. 50° N
2. 25° N
3. 20° S
4. 40° S
5. 60° S

ACTIVITY 2

1. 31° N, 121° E
2. 23° N, 114° E
3. 25° N, 122° E
4. 35° N, 129° E
5. 36° N, 140° E

ACTIVITY 1 (STREAMLINED VERSION)

1. F3, G3
2. B1, B2, B3
3. E6, F6, G6, H6

If You Wish to do More

Literature Connection

Sobel, Dava. Longitude: The Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time. New York: Penguin Books, 1995.