Materials:

List of Participating Schools Large wall-size world map with latitude and longitude lines Push pins, sticky dots/stars, different color pens, etc. for plotting the schools. Optional: the following free downloadable world maps are available from National Geographic: Small World Map (.gif format) Large World Map (.pdf format) Printable Student Worksheet (Optional)

Instructions:

1. Research and describe the architectural style of your school. Things to think about include:
   • How many stories does it have?
   • Is there a heating system? If so, what is it?
   • Is there a cooling system (i.e. air conditioning)? If so, what is it?
   • What is the exterior of the building made of (e.g. stucco, wood, brick, etc.)?
   • What are the recreational facilities at the school (e.g. ice rink, pool, playing fields, etc.)?
   • What year was the school built?
      
2. Prepare the above information into a letter and submit to the Language Arts conference of Discussion Area. Unlike the Letter of Introduction, you should NOT include your city, country, latitude, etc. so the other classes can determine where your school is located solely on the above school information.
    
3. Return to the Language Arts Conference of the Discussion Area and read at least 2 - 3 other letters posted there.
   • Try to plot their general location of each of the schools on a world map solely based on school information (architectural style, etc.) included in the letter.
   • After you have identified the locations, return to the Discussion Area and post any other questions to confirm their location.
      
4. Look for Patterns: Compare your school building to those of other schools. Try to determine how climate affects the design of the school (i.e. if there is any pattern or relationship between latitude and style or perhaps distance from the equator and style).
    
5. Include what you have learned about how temperature and/or climate affects the way you live in your community and the way others live in their communities in your final reports.