Students use a grid of rows and columns to pinpoint exact locations — the same idea as latitude and longitude, the invisible lines that give every spot on Earth its own address.
Students will be able to…
Earth is huge, but every single place has its own exact “address.” How can two numbers (or a letter and a number) point to any spot on a map?
Project this grid map and have students find each square by its coordinate. It works just like latitude and longitude on a globe.
A grid uses letters and numbers to name each square — just like latitude and longitude name places on a world map.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
How would you tell a friend EXACTLY where to meet on a map?
Students investigate the grid.
Students analyze.
Students conclude.
Students build a map.
Aligned to the C3 Framework for Social Studies and Common Core literacy in social studies.
Construct maps and other graphic representations of both familiar and unfamiliar places.
Use maps and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places.
Use maps of different scales to describe the locations of characteristics.
Interpret information presented visually and explain how it contributes to understanding.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students hide a “treasure” on a grid map and write coordinate clues for a partner to follow to find it. A printable grid-map template is in the Social Studies library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.