Teaching Latitude and Longitude to Elementary Students Using Technology

Teaching children about latitude and longitude is challenging at best. Asking children to visualize imaginary and invisible lines that only seem to exist on a map is beyond many young minds.

When I came across the Confluence Project web site I was ecstatic! Now this was something that younger children could relate to and understand!

Alex Jarrett started the Confluence Project in 1996. He became interested in the unique spots on earth where the integer degrees of latitude and longitude intersect. What would be at each unique spot?

I begin my one-hour lesson with the globe. We look at it. Practice saying longitude and latitude while trying to remember which is which. I give a tip that the “flat” lines rhyme with latitude....flatitude, latitude. The long, up and down lines, begin with the word “long.” I find that even fourth and fifth graders need review on these terms.

Next we discuss the uses of latitude and longitude in regards to finding locations and absolute location.

At this point I like to talk about the various gps devices that are commonly found in households today including the navigation systems in cars and hand-held GPS units.

Next I share some background information about the fun adventure of geo-caching which is a treasure hunt all over the world using given latitude and longitude. Often I find one child who has heard of this before.

Finally, I discuss the Confluence project. We talk about the term confluence. Most often the term is used to define the meeting place between two rivers or two sections within one river. In the case of the Confluence latitude and longitude project, it is where the whole number latitude and longitude lines meet.

My first lesson on this topic usually focuses on our own state so I give a handout with the web address and the confluences of Michigan with the direction to check out each location. I first show a couple of the locations and share the neat stories that are shared in finding the confluences. And, of course, we find the one closest to our home.

Send your students out to actually “see” where latitude and longitude meet. This makes those invisible lines have meaning! As I’ve done this lesson over and over during the past I find the adults and parents walking by even more intrigued by the Confluence Project and the idea of being able to see each meeting place.

Visit http://www.confluence.org

Just before sending the students off at the end of class I remind them to share this idea at the dinner table when Mom and Dad ask what they learned in school today! Bet they can stump their parents by mentioning “Confluence” and kids love doing that!