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Let's Get Acquainted

It is time to meet your classmates. Your international classmates, that is. Involved in this project are students from Elkins, West Virginia in the United States, Huaraz in Peru, and Kathmandu in Nepal. You all share at least one thing in common. You guessed it… you live in the mountains. Now it's time to figure out what else you have in common.

Where in the World?
Let's begin by finding out where your international classmates live. Have you ever heard of the Global Grid? It is an imaginary system of lines that help us locate places on the surface of the Earth. The global grid is made up of two kinds of lines, lines of latitude and lines of longitude. Both are measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Lines of latitude are also called parallels because they run parallel to the Equator. In other words, these lines run from east to west around Earth and measure the location of a place north or south of the Equator, which is located at 0° latitude. Can you find the Equator on the map in your classroom? Now find the lines of latitude.

Lines of longitude run in the opposite direction, from the north pole to the south pole. These lines measure the location of a place east and west of what is called the prime meridian, or 0° longitude. Can you find the lines of longitude on the map in your classroom?

When lines of latitude and longitude are used together, they create a grid (like graph paper), and allow us to be able to find the exact location of a place.

Look at the classroom map again. Can you find your location? Now figure out your latitude and longitude. Give this information to your teacher. She needs to share it with the international teachers. Your teacher already knows the exact location of your international classmates' school. Use the latitude and longitude information she gives you to locate these places on the map. Once you know you've found the right spot, mark it with a thumbtack or sticker dot. Which place is further away from you? Which is closer?

Now go to indo.com to find out the exact distance between you and your international classmates. Make sure you record these distances in your journal.

Meeting Face to Face
Go back and watch the slide shows on the Home page. Even if you have already watched them once, watch them again. This time think about what questions you might like to ask your international classmates living in these mountains. Make sure you record these questions in your journal so you won't forget to ask them.

After you have come up with a few questions, share them with the other students in your class. As a group, come up with a list of questions to ask. Think of it as the first day of school… What do you want to know about your international classmates? What would you like to learn about the place where they live? How can you find out what they look like?

Now its time to find out! Email the list of questions to your international classmates along with an introduction to your class. Your teacher has the email addresses. You'll be getting a similar list of questions from your two international classes. Keep an eye on your email and make sure to respond quickly so you don't make them wait too long!

While you are waiting for your international classmates to respond, you are going to take a survey: A Food Survey. For one day (a 24-hour period), write down everything you eat. Bring this list to school and share it with your classmates. As a group, decide whether each of the foods you ate come from a plant or an animal. If possible, determine which plant or animal the foods come from. Record all of this information in your journal.

As a class, figure out the best way to share the food survey results with your international classmates. Once you have decided, send them the results. They, too, have conducted a food survey and will send you the results. How do your survey results compare to those compiled by the two international classes? Who eats the most food that is derived from plant products? The least?

Teachers Area