SMILE

(SIMPLIFIED MODULE INTENDED FOR LEARNING ENCOUNTERS)

Learner’s Packet

Name: _________________________________________ __________________________

Section: _________________________________ Date: __________________________

Science 7 (Q4_LP1)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS

Geographic coordinates allow every place on Earth to be identified with a set of

numbers. The system that we’re using for this treasure hunt gives every point a latitude
number and a longitude number. Drawing a line from a point on the globe into the center of
the Earth and another from the center of the Earth to the Equator, the angle between these
two lines gives you the Latitude.
Longitude is measured slightly different. There is an invisible line running from the North
Pole to the South Pole through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, known as the
Prime Meridian. All points along this line have the longitude 0. The longitude of other points
are calculated as the angle east or west from the Prime Meridian.

Figure 1. Latitude and Longitudes Source: https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/stem/category/quizzes/

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Together, they form the Earth’s geographical coordinates, and represent the angular
distance of any location from the center of the Earth. Both latitudes and longitudes are
measured in degrees (°) and minutes (′).
Latitudes
Also called parallels or circles of latitude, latitudes are imaginary circles parallel to the
Equator. On a map where north is up, latitudes run laterally (left to right). They are named
after the angle created by a line connecting the latitude and the center of the Earth, and the
line connecting the Equator and the center of the Earth.

Figure 2. The major latitudes and longitudes

Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/geography/longitude-latitude.html

The Equator represents 0° latitude, while the North and South Poles represent 90° North and
90° South latitudes. In addition to the Equator, there are four other major latitudes that are
usually found on maps and globes. The positions of these latitudes are determined by the
Earth's axial tilt.
● The Arctic Circle is the latitude 66° 34′ North. All locations falling north of this
latitude are said to be in the Arctic Circle.
● The Antarctic Circle on the other hand, is the latitude 66° 34′ south. Any locations
falling south of this latitude are said to be in the Antarctic Circle. Places in both the
Arctic and Antarctic circles experience the Midnight Sun and polar night.
● The latitude 23° 26′ North is also known as the Tropic of Cancer. It marks the
northernmost position on the Earth, where the Sun is directly overhead at least
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 once a year. This happens during the June Solstice, when the Earth’s Northern
Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun.
● The Tropic of Capricorn is the latitude that lies at 23° 26′ South of the Equator. It is
the southernmost position on the globe, where the Sun is directly overhead during
the December Solstice.
Sometimes, latitudes north of the Equator are denoted by a positive sign. Latitudes south of
the Equator are given negative values. This eliminates the need to add whether the specified
latitude is north or south of the Equator.

Longitudes: East-West Locations

Longitudes are geographical positioning markers that run from the geographical North Pole
to the geographical South Pole, intersecting the Equator. They meet at both Poles and specify
the east-west position of a location. On a map where north is up, longitudes run vertically.
Longitudes are, therefore, imaginary circles that intersect the North and South Poles and the
Equator. Half of a longitudinal circle is known as a Meridian. Meridians are perpendicular to
every latitude.
Today, the meridian line through Greenwich, England, is considered as the reference point
for longitudes. This line is also known as the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian is set as 0°
longitude and it divides the Earth into the Eastern and the Western Hemispheres. All the other
longitudes are measured and named after the angle they make with respect to the center of
the Earth from the intersection of the Meridian and the Equator. Since a sphere has 360
degrees, the Earth is divided into 360 longitudes. The meridian opposite the Prime Meridian
(on the other side of the Earth) is the 180° longitude and is known as the antimeridian.

LEARNING COMPETENCY WITH CODE

MELC: Demonstrate how places on Earth may be located using coordinates

CG LC/ Code: S7ES-IVA- 1
Objectives:
1. Demonstrate how places on earth may be located using a coordinate
system;
2. Identify the location of the areas in the Philippines using latitude and
Figure 2: https://bit.ly/3HDKu6z
longitude; and
3. Determine the location of the Philippines relative to the surrounding
landmasses and bodies of water.

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 ACTIVITIES/ EXERCISES

ACTIVITY 1: ARE YOU IN LINE?

Direction: You have just read the short background information on longitudes and
latitudes which are essential in our study on locating places on earth using
coordinate systems. Let us know how much you understood from it.
1. Describe the lines of latitude.
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2. What is the starting point of latitude?
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3. Describe the five notable latitudes that lie on the earth by filling in the needed data into
the table below.

Latitude Name Description

4. How would you differentiate a prime meridian from the international dateline?
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ACTIVITY 2: HUNT THAT TREASURE!

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 Direction: Study the Treasure Map below. Using the coordinate composed of numbers
and letters, familiarize yourself with the location of the different barriers so
that you would not encounter difficulty in reaching the location of the treasure.

Source: www.mathworksheets4kids.com
Guide Questions:
1. On what coordinate can you find/locate the following things and places?
Example: Shark = Coordinate 1 and A
a. Pond = ___________________
b. Mountain = ___________________
c. Dinosaur = ___________________
d. Volcano = ___________________
2. Can you name what you can find in the following coordinates?
a. Coordinate 2 and A =___________________
b. Coordinate 1 and C =___________________
3. What are the possible barriers when you decide to travel by ship on the west part of the
island? _______________________________________________________________
What if you decide to travel by land when you arrived at the coordinate 1 and D?
_____________________________________________________________________
4. Analyzing your answers above, where is the safest route going to the location of
the treasure?
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