What is the Equator?

The equator is an imaginary line that runs around the middle of the Earth. The line of the equator is right in between the North and the south Pole. It divides the globe into two different parts: The Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.

What is the Prime Meridian?

The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line just like the Equator. Unlike the Equator, it can be in any location. Many early maps had the Prime Meridian in different places. There is now an international agreement that it is the line that runs right through Greenwich, England.

Why do you think we need imaginary lines like the Equator

and the Prime Meridian?

Record your thinking on the paper.

Read the article on the following pages

Record your thinking and discuss.

1. Write down some new ideas you have from the article on the page provided.

2. Discuss this article with your partner.

3. What information changed your thinking?

4. What new things did you learn about the equator and the prime meridian after talking with your partner?

5. Record this new learning on the page provided.

Make a model of the EarthUse the materials provided to make a model of

the Earth that shows a line for the Equator and the Prime Meridian.

Label the Equator and the Prime Meridian.

Label the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.