Minds On
What is a map?
Explore this video entitled "Maps" to learn more about reading maps.
For each sentence, select the missing word from the drop-down menu. Use the video to help you complete the blanks for this activity.
What are some ways you can learn the order of the directions that the kids in the video shared?
Record your ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice.
Action
Task 1: What are the hemispheres?
The Earth is a ball, or a sphere. A hemisphere is half of a sphere. People use the word to describe one half of the Earth. Geographers, or people who study the Earth, have divided the planet into two sets of two hemispheres.
The first set is the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The second set is the Eastern and Western hemispheres. You can use the cardinal direction symbol or the compass to help you locate the directions North, South, East and West on a map.
Explore the map of the world divided into four parts. Use the compass to help label each part with one of the following: Western Hemisphere, Eastern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, and Northern Hemisphere.
Complete the World Map in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You can also use another method of your choice. You can also use another method of your choice.
Think about it
Can you use the word “North” in a sentence about the hemispheres?
Press ‘Hint’ to access a possible sentence.
Task 2: What are the poles?
Explore this carousel of images and descriptions to help you learn about two places on the Earth: The North and South Pole.
The North Pole
This is a colour illustration of a part of the earth. It shows the North Pole. The North Pole is the northern end or the top of Earth. The North Pole is in the Arctic Ocean.
The South Pole
This is a colour illustration of the South Pole. The South Pole is the southern end or bottom of the Earth. The South Pole is located in Antarctica.
Think about it
Can you use the word “South” in a sentence about the Poles?
Press ‘Hint’ to access a possible sentence.
Use the descriptions to label the location of the North and the South Pole.
Press the following tabs to explore the images and descriptions.
Complete the World Globe in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable documents. You can also use another method of your choice.
Task 3: What is the equator?
Access this video entitled “Equator” to learn more about what an equator is.
According to the video, what is the equator?
Press ‘Equator’ to access its definition.
Description
This is an image of a map highlighting the thirteen countries through which the equator passes through. The countries include Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Maldives, Indonesia, Kiribati, and Sao Tome and Principe.
Think about it
Can you use the word “East” in a sentence about the Equator?
Press ‘Hint’ to access a question that might help you use the word “East” in a sentence.
Climate
Press ‘Climate’ to access its definition.
The sun shines directly on the equator two times each year. The countries that are on the equator are hotter than any other country on Earth.
These countries have a special climate with just two seasons: the wet season and the dry season.
The climate is tropical which means that it is hot, and it rains for most of the year.
Rainforests are located in tropical climates where it is rainy, hot, and humid.
Press ‘Humid’ to access its definition.
Student Tips
Did you know?
While moving north towards the North Pole and south towards the South Pole, the climates begin to get colder, because the sun does not shine as directly on these areas of the Earth, as it does on the equator.
Task 4: Creating a map
Complete the World Map by adding a line to represent the equator. Also, identify and label the 13 countries the equator passes through.
You can complete this task in your notebook or using the following fillable activity document. You can use an atlas, the image that we have explored earlier, or an internet map to help you.
Think about it
Can you use the word “West” in a sentence about the Equator?
Press ‘Hint’ to access a question that would help you to use the word “West” in a sentence.
What would the climate be like in these countries? How do you know?
Record your ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice.
Consolidation
Exploring the world
Option 1
With your newfound knowledge, label the features listed in the checklist on a world map.
Complete the Map of the World in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
Option 2
Using what we learned throughout the learning activity, describe the location and one fact about the features listed in the checklist.
Record your descriptions in a notebook or another method of your choice.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.