Molly Morgan

6th Grade
Social Studies
GPS/Latitude and Longitude
SWBAT: identify properties of longitude and latitude then apply them,
in small groups by completing a GPS treasure hunt.
Vocabulary: GPS, Longitude, Latitude, North, East, South, West
Preparation:
-Grouping of students, students need to be strategically grouped to
provide optimum attention.
Group 1:
Ashley
Ezra
Jade
Garo

Group 3:
Cesar
Maysen
Tarik
Jasmin

Group 5:
Lucas
Jessica
Mayeli
Tyler

Group 2:
Grace
Jaxen
Jonny
Alazaha

Group 4:
Lillie
Jason
Kaden
Breezy

Group 6:
Capri
Janet
Isaiah

Group 7:
Ashish
Ane
Caranina
Group 8:
Moises
Polly
Randal

Materials:
-GPSs for each group (8)
-Small prize boxes for each group to find
-Directional instructions for each group (Index cards with The
coordinates written on them)
-A whistle (to keep students attention when outside)
-Packets to review information (They have already been handed out
and completed)
-Student Job list:
Group Leader: keeps everyone in the team on task and helping
Navigator: Keeps the group going in the right direction (North,
South, East West)
Operator: holds the GPS and follows the coordinate address
Cartographer: Maps out how you got to your treasure (be sure
to include landmarks and distance from the school in pictures)

GPS Rules:
Stay on task/Complete your job
Dont mistreat the GPSs
Dont touch another groups treasure
When it is time to clean up and quiet down, follow directions
immediately
-Reflection Questions:
Wasthishardoreasy?
Dideveryonefindtheirtreasure?
Howdidyouworkasateamtofindit?
Howdidthisactivityhelpyoutobetterunderstandlatitude?
Howdidthisactivityhelpyoutobetterunderstandlongitude?

Standard 1
Students will understand how ancient civilizations developed and how
they contributed to the current state of the world.
Objective 1
Explain why physical geography affected the development of early
civilizations.
**This lesson is in preparation to future social studies lessons- we will
be discussing ancient civilizations and their geographical relevance, so
this lesson is to help students in future lessons to understand the
material.

Procedure (Step-by-step):
1-brief review of longitudinal and latitudinal properties
(10 min)
2-explain what GPS means and how the tools are used
(5 min)
3-Assign groups and give each member their job
(5 min)
4-Take class outside (explain boundaries)
min)
5-send students out on their treasure hunt
6-Guide and observe students progress/understanding
(~20 min)
7-Bring everyone back-line up
8-return to classroom
9-reflection questions/exit slip
min)

(NSEW)

(2

(~5