Why are maps important and

useful?

FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIAL STUDIES

Getting to knowMAP

Key Terms

MAPS!

• In order for us to find our way around the world, we need to know how to read maps.

• We need to know how to use a compass rose.• We need to know what latitude and longitude

are.• We need to know where the equator and the

prime meridian are.• We need to know the names of the continents

and bodies of water.

Compass Rose

• What is a compass rose?

• A compass rose is a tool.

• It tells us where north, south, west, and east are.

• You can find this device in many of today’s GPS systems.

Never Eat Soggy Waffles

What are continents?

• A continent is a large landmass partially surrounded by water.

• There are 7 continents on our planet.– North America– South America – Africa – Asia – Europe – Australia– Antarctica

Continents (continued)

• Almost every continent contains multiple countries.

• Australia and Antarctica are not divided into smaller countries.

7 Continents Song• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCW-dJyBrog&feature=related

What are countries?

• Countries are areas of land controlled by their own government

• North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia are divided into countries.

• On maps, the names of the countries are usually in all capital letters.

• For example, North America is divided into CANADA, the U.S.A., and MEXICO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0ey-b6YtIQ

What are cities?• Cities are places in a country where many people

settle. • It can be as little as a few thousand people and as

big as millions of people.• New York is the largest with over 8 million people!• Los Angeles is the 2nd largest city in the U.S. It has

about 4 million people.

Oceans, Seas, Lakes, Rivers

There are many different bodies of water on our planet. What are the differences?

1.What are oceans?2.What are seas?3.What are lakes?4.What are rivers?

What is an ocean?• The ocean is a large body of salt water that

covers 70% of the earth’s surface.• The ocean is divided into 4 large sections:

– Pacific– Atlantic– Indian– Arctic.

What is a sea?• A sea is a large body of salt water that is part of an

ocean and partially locked in by land. The Mediterranean Sea is an example.

What are lakes?• A large body of fresh or salt water that is

completely surrounded by land.

http://www.schooltube.com/video/30d836c242bbe09274c7/Oceans-Seas-Lakes-Rivers

Not connected to oceans

DO not Really Move

What is a River?

• A river is a long body of water that flows toward an ocean or sea.

They Flow in one direction

The water is always moving

Ocean, Sea, Lake or River?

What are lines of longitude and latitude?

• Longitude: lines on a map running from the north pole to the south pole and meet at each pole. – The longitudinal line with a degree of 0 is called the

Prime Meridian.

• Latitude: lines on a map running east and west.– The Equator is the line of latitude with a degree of 0.

HORIZONTAL (think of the steps of a ladder)

Lines of longitude only

Equator added

Other lines of latitude added

latitude

longitude

Latitude?

MORE LIKE FAT-itude!!!!

GET IT???

Lines of Latitude and Longitude• Draw a circle on your paper to represent a

globe.• Now draw examples of lines of longitude on a

globe and label them.• Draw examples of lines of latitude and label

them.• Where is the Prime Meridian?• Where is the Equator?

Where in the LONGITUDE is the LATITUDE?????

ORANGE we having FUN?

Orange cut through lines of longitude

Orange cut through lines of latitude

Get your Singing Chops ReadyLatitude

(to the tune of the Wheels on the Bus)I'm climbing the Ladder of latitudes, latitudes, latitudes.I'm climbing the ladder of latitudes, all around the world.

BUT WAIT!!!

There is more…

WOO HOO!!Another Song

Longitude

(to the tune of the Wheels on the Bus)

It's a LONG, LONG way from pole topole, pole to pole, pole to poleIt's a LONG, LONG way from pole topole, so we call those LONGITUDES.

Brain Pop Video

• Latitude and Longitude• http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/