Lines on Maps and Globes

Social Studies

• Map: Chart/Globe The learner will be able to use maps, charts, graphs, and globes to acquire and report information including locating major countries of the world,using cardinal and intermediate directions, using latitude and longitude and the location of early explorers in North America.

Social Studies Standard

• Earth Attributes: Hemispheres The learner will be able to identify the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western hemispheres using the equator and prime meridian.

• Map: Chart/Globe The learner will be able to use maps, charts, graphs, and globes to acquire and report information including locating major countries of the world,using cardinal and intermediate directions, using latitude and longitude and the location of early explorers in North America

Why do we use maps?

Why is learning about our world important?

How did people find their way before maps?

Marco Polo

Christopher Columbus

Leif Eriksson

How did these people know were to go?

What contributions do you think they made to other explorers?

There are three very important lines to help us find our way around the world.

1. The Equator

2. The Prime Meridian

3. The International Date Line

They are laid out on a map or globe like a grid.

1

2

3

A B C D E

                                                       

    

The equator is located at 0 degrees latitude. It is 24,901.55 miles (40,075.16km) long. The equator divides the planet into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

When looking at a map, latitude lines run horizontally. Latitude lines are also known as parallels since they are parallel and are an equal distant from each other. To remember latitude, imagine them as the horizontal rungs of a ladder ("ladder-tude"). Degrees latitude are numbered from 0° to 90° north and south. Zero degrees is the equator, the imaginary line which divides our planet into the northern and southern hemispheres. 90° north is the North Pole and 90° south is the South Pole.

The vertical longitude lines are also known as meridians. They converge at the poles and are widest at the equator. Zero degrees longitude is located at Greenwich, England (0°). The degrees continue 180° east and 180° west where they meet and form the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean.

                            

The memory rhyme I use to help remember that lines of longitude denote east-west distance is:

"Lines of LONGitude are all just as LONG as one another."

With this saying in my mind, I picture all of the longitudinal meridians meeting at the poles, each meridian the same length as the next.

                                                 

We can find Knoxville on a world map by looking at 83degrees W and 35degrees N.

The lines of longitude divide the earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres.

We can find any place on earth using the lines of latitude and longitude. Using the listed web link, you can find any spot you would like.

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/imageg.htm

The main directions we use are called cardinal directions and they are north (N), south (S), east (E), and west (W).  On most maps, north is at the top.  South is at the bottom.  East is on the right.  West is on the left.

The compass rose shows us the in between directions.  They are called intermediate directions.        NE means northeast        SE means southeast        SW means southwest        NW means northwest

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/compless/cardinal.html

Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

If you like the oceans best,Travel east or travel west,

If you like the cold and snow,North is the way you should go.

If you like the hot, hot sun,Head down south for lots of fun!

--Lori Williams

Help place the correct direction in the correct box.

Writing Topics:

1. Imagine that you were an early explorer. (Choose any explorer we have talked about) Write a story about how you explored a new area without any help from maps. What did you use to help guide your way, did you ever get lost, did you invent anything to help yourself, etc…

2. Imagine that you are sitting on your front porch when someone comes by and asks you for directions to the local store. Write directions to the store so clearly that the reader knows exactly where he/she is going.