Lines on Maps and Globes
Cross Curricular Writing Activity Social
Studies Grade 4
Fourth Grade Social Studies
Standard
• 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?
How did these people
know were to go?
What contributions do
you think they made to
other explorers?
Christopher Columbus
Leif
Eriksson
Marco Polo
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.
A
1
2
3
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 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.
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.
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
How do we know that the cities listed on the
next page are in different parts of TN?
TENNESSEE Athens 35° 26' N 84° 35' W
Bristol-Tri City AP 36° 29' N 82° 24' W
Chattanooga AP 35° 2' N 85° 12' W
Clarksville 36° 33' N 87° 22' W
Columbia 35° 38' N 87° 2' W
Dyersburg 36° 1' N 89° 24' W
Greenville 36° 4' N 82° 50' W
Jackson AP 35° 36' N 88° 55' W Memphis
AP 35° 3' N 90° 0' W Murfreesboro 34° 55' N
86° 28' W Nashville AP (S) 36° 7' N 86° 41'
W Tullahoma 35° 23' N 86° 5' W
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
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
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/compless/cardinal.html
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.