Topographic salad tray model activity an inexpensive and easy way to create a threedimensional model using topographic map contours. The map skills worksheet comes with some blank templates for drawing your imaginary map on if you wish. Eighth grade lesson topographic maps lab betterlesson. Topographic map skills remember in some sections e. A topographic mapis a representation of a threedimensional surface on a flat piece of paper. Mark four points two on the endpoints, and two between and draw the contours. One way to understand what all the squiggly lines are for is to complete the topographic hand activity.
Crosssections are constructed using the contour lines on a topographic map. Displaying all worksheets related to topographic map. Display the images of topographic, or contour, maps. Click here to watch a video of the lab that we did in class. This section also involves calculations and drawing of cross sections, make sure you have all the necessary equipment available. The following list provides some guidelines for effectively constructing a topographic profile and uses the topographic map and profile line provided to the left you can download a pdf of the map and profile to work from acrobat pdf 23mb jul18 11. Worksheets are topographic map work, topographic map reading practice work, topographic maps, misp topographic maps work 2, topographic maps, map reading activity topography ff i, topographic map work, topographic maps and countours.
A city map shows streets and major landmarks for that city, like hospitals and parks. The most frequently used canadian topographic map is at the scale of 1. Constructing a 3d topographic map activity this exercise uses clear plastic takeout lids, each marked with a different elevation line, and stacked to produce a 3d topographic map. The map must contain a legend key and a labeled contour interval, and colored contours. I then build a clay model of a mountain and create cross sections representing different elevation layers. An experienced mapreader can also spot hills and peaks on the topo map. Before drawing your map, please read through the following explanation and description of topographic maps. A powerpoint that goes over how to read topographic maps and then at the end allows students to practice reading the topographic map and answering questions about the specific map. Your job is to construct a topographic map of this location.
They will also learn how to construct, read and interpret a topographic map. They will view a video lesson, take a related followup quiz, and participate in three interesting activities to reinforce newly. A topographic map is often a very large scale map that shows the shape of the lands surface. Readingunderstanding topographic maps school of forest. Using the topographic map provided by your instructor for activity 2, answer the following questions. Jan 20, 20 in this video we begin by looking at a topographic map of pikes peak in colorado. One way to help students understand how contour lines works, is by drawing them on your hand. This can either be done with whiteboards or print them out and use them as a station rotation activity. Topographic maps use contour lines, lines of equal elevation, to represent the vertical dimension height of the landscape. Contour lines are imaginary lines that connect places of equal elevation. Topography for kids geography worksheets, topographic. Then ask students to use those symbols to identify other.
If you were absent you may use this video as your data that would be acceptable. The following list provides some guidelines for effectively constructing a topographic profile and uses the topographic map and profile line provided to the left you can download a pdf of the map and profile to work from acrobat pdf 2. It has contour lines to show the shape and elevation of the land. It is the onestop shop for learning about, using, and teaching topographic map concepts. They will be presented with activities that will help them to describe a topographic map, explain the different information a topographic map contains.
After drawing two contour lines completely across your map, have your instructor check your work before you proceed further. Extension this lesson is followed up with students working with actual topographic maps, identifying various aspects of the landscape. Contour map generation in the field, points and their elevations are measured using automatic levels, total stations, or gps devices geotechnical engineers use these points to generate topographic maps. In this lesson, students complete a very fun lab where they use a specially designed container and a lot of water to build a topographic profile.
A digital terrain model of salt lake city is shown on the poster. Geological survey reading topographic maps interpreting the colored lines, areas, and other symbols is the. They also show physical features such as forests, rivers and lakes and humanmade features such as roads, railways and settlements. Make sure students understand that contour maps, though 2dimensional, use contour lines to show elevation above sea level. This introductory lesson serves to introduce what a topographic map actually is a representation of a 3d area on a 2d surface and have students create one by pouring progressively more water into a plastic mold, where they then. Sketch in the line on the map or locate the line that is provided. Point out the flattest and steepest areas on the crater lake map. Discuss the maps key, the contour lines, and landscape features depicted. Features are shown as points, lines, or areas, depending on their size and extent. The scale of the map tells us by how much it has been reduced in size. The topographical maps, which have been referred to in chapter 1 are of utmost importance to geographers. The quality of students performance on reading a topographic map b will give an indication of their understanding of the concept of topographic maps. Display the usgs topographic map symbols pdf for students. The features of a map are dependent upon the intended use.
Packed with lots of information, geography model ideas, activities and geography worksheets to help you learn. Walking that part of the line would be much more difficult. Show students map images and introduce the activity. This lesson will help students learn how to read that map. Chapter 5 topographical maps you know that the map is an important geographic tool. To be able to use a map to find your way, you must first determine where your current location is on the map. A topographic map is printed on a flat piece of paper yet it provides a picture of the terrain and man made features through the use of contour lines, colors and. Activity sheet 1 understanding catchments for further information contact ipswich city council phone.
I then build a clay model of a mountain and create cross. The focus of this lesson is on how to read and use topographical maps. T if possible, obtain a topographic map of your area for activity procedure 8. The digital elevation model on the poster is helpful in. Fourthgrade students and other budding geologists then will use what they learn to do a topographic map matching activity. Learn how to draw contour lines by first plotting elevation points. Points a, b, c, d, and x represent locations on the. A grid, made up of a series of vertical and horizontal lines, makes it easy to fi nd the location of a particular place or feature on a map. They can show us how something looks in three dimensions with simple, flat drawings. Sep 27, 2018 sketch in the line on the map or locate the line that is provided. Topographic maps can present a major challenge in the classroom. Suggestions for teaching this lesson 3, 35minute sessions on the poster is atopographic map of salt lake city. They serve the purpose of base maps and are used to draw all the other maps. In this mapping activity, the pupils apply the skills they have learnt to make their own map of an imaginary place.
The basics topographic maps produced by natural resources canada nrcan offer detailed information on a particular area and are used for several types of. If you would like, you can make it a themed island, living community, theme park or whatever you choose. Construct a topographic map of the egyptian pyramid of khafre a topographic map is a twodimensional representation of a threedimensional space. Your map must also include the following at minimum. Invite an elder to visit and talk about the local place names, including the reasons people chose to settle in the area. Use symbols to identify other features on the contour map of your area. In this worksheet, you will draw two crosssections from the topographical map of mt etna included on page 3.
Just like hills and mountains, your fist has a topography of its own. To ensure reproduction of this page at 100%, please ensure any default print commands affecting reproduction size e. Educate your students about topographic maps with this lesson plan. This social studies worksheet explains how topographical maps work and why theyre important in geography. Then compare this measurement against what you get by using the measure tool above the map.
The contour lines then portray the 3 dimensional shape of the surface of the land. They are sometimes called level lines because they show points that are at the same level. Topography this is a topographic map with contour lines that show points that are on the same level. Follow this link to a java applet that will help you with this contour map. Topographic map activity give kids permission to draw on their hands for the sake of learning. The top of this drawing is a contour map showing the hills that are illustrated at the bottom. One special kind of map is called a topographic map. Draw a line between the two points bounding the desired profile area. If you were taking a hike along a hillside and not walking. In this video we begin by looking at a topographic map of pikes peak in colorado. Divide 300 feet by 3 to get one contour every 100 feet. Handson bathymetry and topography activities importance.
When your hand is in a fist, that represents the landscape, when it is flat, it represents the map. Topographic maps and countours illinois institute of. Base your answers to the following questions on the topographic map below. The top of this drawing is a con tour map showing the hills that are illustrated at the bottom. For example, a state map shows cities, major roads, national parks, county lines, etc. Compass direction, measuring with map scale, contour interval, elevations of contour lines, possible elevations between contour li. Introduction to contour maps national geographic society. Every map is smaller than the actual area it represents. Making maps is a great way to learn how height is shown on maps and how maps translate into reality. Learning to use a topographic mapis a difficult skill, because it requires students to visualize a threedimensional. The key on a topographic map uses conventional signs to. This introductory lesson serves to introduce what a topographic map actually is a representation of a 3d area on a 2d surface and have students create one by pouring progressively more water into a plastic mold, where they then use a plastic. Lesson 4how to read a topographic map orange county water.
Topographic map activity but will i get in trouble with students parents. Very important in visualizing very small microscopic and very large earth, solar system, galaxies, the universe features. Understanding topographic maps, watersheds, and the. Mar 20, 2016 learn how to draw contour lines by first plotting elevation points. The corresponding elevation plot shows a steep slope. This worksheet has 15 earth science regents questions related to the analyzing topographic maps. Make sure students understand that contour map s, though 2dimensional, use contour lines to show elevation above sea level. Topography for kids geography worksheets, topographic map. The worksheet gives an example of what a map might look like and it also lists the key features needed to make a good map. In this lesson, students will learn the use and importance of topographic mapping. Chapter 2 reading topographic maps and making calculations.
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