An immersive lesson bundle introducing upper elementary students to essential map skills, including intermediate directions, map scales, legends, grids, and hemispheres. Includes a detailed lesson plan, instructional slides, a guided practice worksheet, and a quick exit ticket.
"Hemi" means half, and "sphere" means ball. Earth can be partitioned into half-spheres using two imaginary core gridlines:
The Equator (Horizontal - 0° Lat)
Divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Prime Meridian (Vertical - 0° Long)
Divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
North South
Divided by Equator
West East
Divided by Prime Meridian
MAP SKILLS TRAINING Slide 6 of 8
Let's Practice: Coordinate Challenge
Guided Practice
1
2
3
4
A
B
C
⚓ Anchor 🌋 Volcano 💎 Gem ⛺ Camp
Scale: 1 block = 10 miles
Class Questions:
What is the coordinate of the Anchor?
What is the coordinate of the Volcano?
Starting at Gem, if you travel East 2 blocks, which grid block do you land on?
What is the distance between the Gem and the Camp in miles?
Let's solve these together! Think about the coordinates first, then calculate the scale distance.
MAP SKILLS TRAINING Slide 7 of 8
Cartographer Status
Next Steps
Your Turn: Find the Pirate's Loot!
You are now equipped with the necessary spatial techniques to navigate any coordinate challenge. Grab your Grid Explorer Worksheet and solve the mysteries of Map-topia!
STEP 1
Examine the compass rose and key coordinates.
STEP 2
Measure and convert actual miles using the map scale bar.
STEP 3
Complete the exit ticket check-up to secure your license!
MAP SKILLS TRAINING Slide 8 of 8
Total grid blocks: _____ blocks ➔ Actual miles on land:
miles
9. If a pirate travels from Castle Ruins (🏰) to Skull Cave (💀):
Total grid blocks: _____ blocks ➔ Actual miles on land:
miles
PART 4 Global Hemisphere Check
Apply your knowledge of global divisions. Fill in the correct blanks.
The invisible line that splits Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres is the
.
The Prime Meridian divides the world into Eastern and
