Geographic Thinking

Latitude and Longitude

3-4 day Unit Plan

Social Studies
Grade: 5

Emilee Henry
 Unit Description
This is a 3-4 day unit on general outcome 5.S.3: develop skills of geographic thinking.
Students will use maps, globes, technology, and activity cards to determine the absolute
location of places in Canada. This is a hands-on unit where students will have the opportunity
to have class discussion, work independently, and work in small groups.

Each lesson is approximately 30 minutes

Unit Goals
 Students should be able define coordinate, latitude, and longitude.
 Students should be able to find the coordinates of a given location.
 Students should be able to find a location on the map when given the latitude and
longitude.

Unit Outcome

General Outcome: Student will: 5.S.3 develop skills of geographic thinking:

Specific Outcome: use latitude and longitude to determine the absolute location of places in
Canada on maps and globes

Moral Principles
Students will participate in activities that encourage them to work with someone new and respect
all classmates.

Materials and technology

 Students will use maps, globes, or atlases depending on what is available.
 Students will also need the Canadian Latitude & Longitude Task Cards by: Addie
Williams
 Technology will be used for watching a YouTube video in lesson one. Technology can
also be used to access maps.

(Materials for each activity will be listed in the lesson plan.)

 5th grade Social Studies Lesson 1
Longitude and Latitude
Materials:
 Canadian atlas, map, or globe that clearly shows latitude and longitude lines and
degrees. students can use technology for maps if needed.
 Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTrsvGytGG0

Before Activity:

1. Ask students: Does anybody know what latitude and longitude is?
2. Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTrsvGytGG0

During Activity:

1. Class Discussion. Ask students:

 What are the invisible lines that help us to navigate the world?
 What is longitude? What lines are they on the map?
 What is latitude? What lines are they on the map?
 What is a coordinate? 
 How many coordinates do you need to find yourself on the map?

2. Students will work in pairs or small groups to find coordinates on the map. Encourage
students to put their fingers on the map to follow the latitude and longitude lines. Have a
map displayed in front of the class so that you can complete the first one with students.

I went to my class prepared with some locations and coordinates. These are the page numbers for
the atlas I used to help the class run smoothly. Teacher will have to prepare this depending on the
type of map that is being used.

Alberta pg. 73:

 Calgary: 51N 114W
 Innisfail: 52N 114W
Manitoba pg. 83:
 Winnipeg: 50N 97N
 Whiteshell Prov. park 50N 96W
Ontario pg. 87
 Big Trout Lake: 54N 90W
New Brunswick pg 110
 Saint John 45N 66W
After Activity:
Ask students what they learned. Have them explain what latitude, longitude, and a coordinate is.

Assessment: 
Observation: 
Does student understand what latitude and longitude is?
Is a student able to find coordinates on the map?
 5th grade Social Studies Lesson 2
Longitude and Latitude
Materials:
 Canadian atlas, map, or globe that clearly shows latitude and longitude lines and
degrees. students can use technology for maps if needed.
 Task Cards.
 Task card tracking sheet

Teacher prep:
1. Students will be working in pairs or small groups. Figure out how many groups you will
have.
2. Fill 1 envelope with 5-6 activity cards for each group. Have extra cards on hand for
students who compete early. There are 14 different task cards.
3. Print a task card tracking sheet for each student.

Before Activity: 
1. Review terms: Latitude. Longitude, coordinate. Ask students what each term is and how
it is used.
2. Do an example of activity cards: 
 Pull a card out of the envelope and read it.
 Determine the capital. If students so not
know their capitals, show them how to find
the capitals on the map. (some maps use
start)
 One you have located the capital on the
map, make sure the students have also
found it on their map. It is helpful if they
put their finger on it.
 Use your finger to follow the longitude and
latitude lines to determine the coordinates.
 Ask student what the coordinates are.
 Show students how to write the coordinates. For example: remind students that it is
not necessary to spell out the word “north.” They can just write “N”

During Activity:
Have students get into their groups. Work together to find the coordinated of their task cards.
Students will each have their own tracking sheet to mark their answers down.

After Activity:
Group activity: ask students to share the capitals and coordinates that they found. Have them
explain how they found it.

Assessment:  
Activity Card/ Tracking sheet: Is student able to find the coordinates? Did student participate or
did their partner do all the work?
 5th grade Social Studies Lesson 3 (optional)
Longitude and Latitude
Materials:
 Canadian atlas, map, or globe that clearly shows latitude and longitude lines and
degrees. students can use technology for maps if needed.
 Task Cards.
 Task card tracking sheet

Teacher prep:
This lesson is only necessary if the students need more practice finding coordinates.
1. Mark students tracking sheet.
2. Make new groups if necessary.
3. Write names on the envelopes and rearrange task cards so that students get a different set.

Before Activity:  

1. Review longitude and latitude lines. How do you find them? How do you find the correct
coordinates?
2. Do a couple of example with students if needed. Encourage them to follow along on their
own map with their fingers.
3. Remind students the proper way of writing a coordinate.

During Activity:
Continuation of lesson 2:

Students will continue working on their activity cards and tracking their answers on their
tracking sheet.

After Activity:
Group Activity. Ask Students:
 to share the capitals and coordinates that they found. Have them explain how they found
it.
 What have you learned about latitude and longitude?
 How can you find yourself on the map?

Assessment:  
Activity Card/ Tracking sheet: Is student able to find the coordinates? Did student participate or
did their partner do all the work?
 5th grade Social Studies Lesson 4
Longitude and Latitude
Materials:
 Canadian atlas, map, or globe that clearly shows latitude and longitude lines and
degrees. students can use technology for maps if needed.
 Task Cards.
 30 second sand timers

Before Activity:  
 Review the latitude and longitude lines on the map. Make sure students can identify what
line are latitude and what lines are longitude.
 Students will place their finger on a location and follow the lines with their fingers.
 Review how to write a coordinate. 

During Activity:
Independent work
1. Each student should have their own map.
2. Give each student 2 task cards
3. Students will work independently to answer their activity card. Have the students write
their name and answers on the back of their card.

After Activity:
Once student has completed their task cards, they will find a partner and play a game.
1. Student 1 will find a location on the map (this can be anywhere in the world, not just
Canada.
2. Student 2 will have 30 seconds to find the coordinates.
3. Students will take turns choosing locations and finding coordinates.
4. If student finds coordinate in 30 seconds, they get one point.
5. Student with the most points wins.

Assessment: 
Activity Card: Was student able to find the correct coordinate? Is student able to properly record
the coordinate?