Grade 4 Maps, Directions, and Location

Name______________________________

1. How does the Prime Meridian and Equator give us a foundation for identifying
location and the hemispheres?

2. How could we apply the elements of the compass rose to this poem?

1. What is the significance of the Prime Meridian and the Equator when analyzing a
globe or map?

2. What continent crosses 23.5N and 0 E?

a. Europe
b. Asia
c. Antarctica
d. Africa
3. What direction would you have to travel to get to the Middle East from Central
America?
a. North
b. South
c. East
d. West

Seamans Quadrant
Astrolabe Diagram
Tools for Finding Latitude and Time
The only way navigators could estimate a vessels longitude was by dead reckoning and
measuring variation. Celestial navigational instruments were designed to help find a
vessels latitude, the approximate time, and the direction of true south.
The quadrant, the earliest device used to find latitude, was a quarter-circle of wood,
marked in degrees, with a plumb line and a sight along one edge, first taken to sea around
1460. Another early latitude-measuring device is the astrolabe. It is a disc with degrees
and a movable arm with sights, first known to be at sea about 1481.
http://www.penobscotmarinemuseum.org/pbho-1/history-of-navigation/navigationamerican-explorers-15th-17th-centuries
1. How has compass reading and navigation systems evolved over time?

2. Compare and contrast the two images above that helped Navigation of early
American Explorers of the 15th to 17th century.

1. On which two hemispheres do we live?

a. Northern and Eastern
b. Eastern and Southern
c. Western and Southern
d. Northern and Western

2. Parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude are used to find absolute location.
Describe how relative location is being used when discussing longitude and
latitude degrees.

3. What is a half of a sphere called?

a) Half sphere
b) Semi sphere
c) Hemisphere
d) Half circle

1. How does the alignment and formation of the map change your perspective on
location globally and locally?

2. Explain how concepts of direction and location are altered based on the map.
What is different? Does this challenge the idea of location?