OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to determine the importance of
latitude and longitude by performing an activity.
Classwork: Kids were divided into cartographers and geographers. Without being told what was going to happen, the cartographers had to build maps of "gold" inside the classroom. They gave their maps to their geographer partner. This took place outside the room. Meanwhile, inside the room, Mr. Genco was creating a Siberian wilderness "blizzard" and basically adding snow, debris, and a little chaos so that any reference points made by the cartographers would be hard to use. Latitude and Longitude coordinates were on the walls though, but most of the kids did not notice them or use them effectively. The goal was to teach the importance and effectiveness of latitude and longitude in situations where normal reference points do not work.
Homework: Please discuss the importance of latitude and longitude to your parents. Describe how the class went today, the two groups, the fake blizzard, and the fun facts you learned about gold!
Vocab: latitude and longitude
Reminder: Picture day is tomorrow and if you haven't turned in your parent/student handbook verification form in to your first hour teacher, make sure you do!
