Longitude & Latitude

Using longitude and latitude is kind of like playing the game Battleship. You use a grid system to zero in on an exact location. The lines of longitude and latitude cover the entire globe and we use them to describe the exact location of places. GPS actually uses this sytem that was invented in the 1700s.

After you have completed the A+ lesson you have some activities to do to be sure you understand this key skill for reading maps.

1. Play the Longitude and Latitude Game to find "Hannah." Make sure you play to at least level 3. If you don't get how the lines work, ASK!! (nothing to turn in for this one)

2. Next you are going to let the computer show you some locations based on latitudes and longitudes you pick.
Remember you have to have 2 NUMBERS and each number needs a DIRECTION (N, S for first number; E or W for second number).
Type or handwrite a list of coordinates based on the following:

• Your Birthday (month, day) Mine would be 1, 6 so I would list all the possibilities: 1N, 6E; 1N 6W; 1S, 6E; 1S, 6W
• The year you plan to graduate HS (first two numbers are lat, last two are long), so mine is 19N, 91E and all the combos
• Another date this is important to you...in all its combos
• Try your street address or parts of your cell phone number

In all, you need at least 10 sets of coordinates to use! Using the Longitude and Latitude Finder, type in your coordinates and hit the "set" button. You may have to zoom out to see where you really are. Next to each coordinate describe where that location actually is on the globe. You will turn in this paper. Some examples:

• June 21 is my anniversary. I tried 6N, 21E (6 and 21) and that is in the center of an African country called: Central African Republic
• I am about 65 inches tall and weigh about 130 lbs. I tried 65S, 130W (-65 and -130) and that is in the ocean between South America and Antarctica - middle of the ocean.
• TIP: In this program you can't type N or S. If you just type the numbers it will automatically go to the N and the E. If you want S you have to type a negative number, like -65 for my height. For W you also use the negative, so -130 for my weight.

3. Get a copy of the USA map with longitude and latitude lines - your teacher has copies. You need to CAREFULLY draw in at least 2 more lines between the existing lines so you have more detail. Your task is to use your map to do your best finding the longitude and latitude of 10 places - cities or geographical features. Type or write out this list. Next, look up those places online and find their actual longitude/latitude. How close did you get? Turn in your map, your guesses and the actual coordinates.

4. Once you are a master of longitude and latitude you are ready to teach newbies. Write directions for someone who has never used longitude and latitude before. This should be thorough, detailed and not more than one page.

What do I turn in?

Please staple the work together in this order:

1. Cover page is your US map with drawn in longitude and latitude lines. Make sure your name is on it nice and neat.
2. Page that has the 10 long/lat for places in USA - your guesses and the real thing
3. Page that has your coordinates for special dates and numbers and where those places are on the globe
4. Your longitude/latitude instructions

Grading Information: